EDO Support Team

Our team of economic development specialists strengthens Oklahoma communities by recruiting a diverse portfolio of industries to the state. We work directly with Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) from across Oklahoma to prepare site selection proposals and win projects that will create new jobs and investments.

Commerce’s Business Development team is aligned with our sector-based recruitment of economic development projects.

Leadership

Jennifer Springer
Jennifer Springer
Director, Business Development
Amy Walton - Deputy Director, Business Development
Amy Walton
Deputy Director, Business Development

Business Attraction

Aerospace + Defense and ACES Program

The ACES program is a comprehensive approach to recruiting and retaining and expanding Oklahoma’s aerospace industry. 

Hopper Smith, Brigadier General, ARNG (Ret.)
Hopper Smith, Brigadier General, ARNG (Ret.)
State Director of Aerospace & Defense
Leshia Pearson
Leshia Pearson
Deputy Director, Oklahoma ACES
Brent Wright
Brent Wright, Brigadier General, USAF (Ret.)
Strategic Advisor for Aerospace & Defense
Rob Wilcox
Rob Wilcox
Business Recruiter of Aerospace & Defense
Brooke Edwards
Brooke Edwards
Administrative Assistant
Aldwyn Sappleton
Aldwyn Sappleton
Deputy Director of Research & Economic Analysis Services

Automotive

An automotive team was established in 2020 due to economic factors that make Oklahoma a prime location for the automotive industry, including OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and tiered parts suppliers.

Jimmy Cagle - Automotive Director
Jimmy Cagle
Automotive Director
Jason Baffrey
Jason Baffrey
Automotive Project Manager
Lesli Crofford
Lesli Crofford
Senior Research Analyst
Jimmy Cagle - Automotive Director
Jimmy Cagle
Automotive Director

Foreign Investment

An automotive team was established in 2020 due to economic factors that make Oklahoma a prime location for the automotive industry, including OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and tiered parts suppliers.

Nicole Boyles
Nicole Boyles
State Director, International Trade & Exports
Sarah Short
Sarah Short
International Relations & Foreign Direct Investment Coordinator
Christy Busch
Christy Busch
International Protocol Officer
Sarah Short
Sarah Short
International Relations and Foreign Direct Investment Coordinator

Energy

One of the state’s largest sectors, the Business Development team is targeting all subsectors of the energy industry.

Wes Seaman
Wesley Seaman
Energy Project Manager
Michael Craig
Michael Craig
Senior Research Analyst

Bioscience

As home to multiple research organizations, Oklahoma is poised to take advantage of current reshoring initiatives to further grow this industry.

Connie Lake
Connie Lake
Economic Development Specialist
Kimberly Tidwell
Kimberly Tidwell
Research Analyst

Advanced Technology + High Growth Start-Ups

Jay Shidler
Jay Shidler
Advanced Technology & High Growth Start-Ups Project Manager
Kimberly Tidwell
Kimberly Tidwell
Research Analyst

IT/Distribution/Financial Services

Oklahoma’s central location, proximity to I-35 and I-40, and low cost of doing business make the state competitive in these industries.

Tina Lindsay
Tina Lindsay
Economic Development Specialist
Michael Craig
Michael Craig
Senior Research Analyst

Oklahoma Film + Music Office

The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) strives to grow the film and music industries statewide.

Jeanette Stanton - Director, Oklahoma Film + Music Office
Jeanette Stanton
Director of OF+MO
Tava Sofsky
Tava Maloy Sofsky
Director of OF+MO

Regional Development Team

Jared Cooper - Director of Rural Services
Jared Cooper
Director of Rural Services/ Northeast Region & Central Region
Steven Bratcher
Steven Bratcher
Southwest & South Central Region
Ray Little
Ray Little
Director, Business Retention & Expansion/ Central Region
brandy McIntyre

Small Business + Startup Team

Ken Talley
Ken Talley
Small and Minority Business Specialist
Cathy Curtis
Cathy Curtis
Small Business Incubators / Women-owned Business Certifications
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