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PrintLocal leaders have a lot to say about Mayor Kathy Taylor
Local business, civic and education leaders share their thoughts on Tulsa’s outgoing mayor and our 2010 Tulsan of the Year, Kathy Taylor. Here are their responses.
John Bolton, general manager, BOK Center
Characteristics I most admire in Kathy Taylor: I think it would be her drive and energy to tackle any issue or problem.
Leadership traits that served Kathy Taylor well in her term as mayor: Forward-looking, imaginative, decisive.
Kathy Taylor’s major accomplishment(s) as mayor: Mayor Taylor gets a great deal of public credit for the BOK Center, but no one realizes the importance of her work with the expansion and renovation of the Convention Center and what the results of that work will mean in the future. The end physical result at the Convention Center is a major credit to her.
What makes Kathy Taylor tick: I would say the thrill of a huge problem or challenge.
Gerry Clancy, president, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa; 2009 TulsaPeople Tulsan of the Year
Characteristics I most admire in Kathy Taylor: I admire her commitment to everything that is Tulsa. She took on things that were far beyond the usual role of mayor — health care and education as examples — because she saw how important those things were to making Tulsa a better place to live and work.”
Leadership traits that served Kathy Taylor well as mayor: She had a special talent in multi-tasking. She could keep so many things in her head and on the table at one time — police, fire, education, downtown, streets, budget, health care, stimulus programs.
Mayor Taylor’s major accomplishment(s) as mayor: I am most impressed by the breadth and speed of accomplishments — downtown development, ballpark, BOK Center, low-water dams for river development, stimulus funds for Tulsa, EDGE funds for Tulsa, the ice storm of the century, stabilized OSU Medical Center, worked so well with Tulsa Metro Chamber and legislature for a united voice for Tulsa needs. It’s quite a list. But then she also took on education at the early childhood and public schools level because she knew that education is the key to making everything better in the long run.
What makes Kathy Taylor tick: A deep commitment to making things better for everyone. And she is impatient about making things better for everyone.
Favorite Kathy Taylor story/experience: We were celebrating my youngest son’s 8th birthday at a 66ers basketball game during the end of the 2007 ice storm. None of the families we were celebrating with had power at their homes yet and it was so nice to be at a 66ers game, where we were warm and together. Kathy was hosting an economic development group at the game as well and managing the ice storm with her cell phone and BlackBerry. When she saw that we had a group of 8-year-old boys, she came right over to talk with the boys and have cake. Both the boys and the parents were impressed that the mayor wanted to be with young kids in the middle of all of this. She was also very attentive to the parents and how they were doing with the ice storm. This was a great example of her ability to be compassionate for Tulsans during a tough time, attentive to kids and multi-task all at the same time.
Ginny Creveling, executive director, Folds of Honor foundation; 2006 TulsaPeople Tulsan of the Year
Characteristics I most admire in Kathy Taylor: She walks the talk.
Leadership traits that served Kathy Taylor well in her term as mayor: Mayor Taylor possesses four leadership traits that seem natural to her and I think have been key to her success — intelligence, good judgment, decisiveness and a servant’s heart for the work and the people she serves.
What makes Kathy Taylor tick: Her deep and abiding, genuine love for Tulsa. I also always try to remember to say thank you to Bill Lobeck when I see him — his love and support are evident throughout Mayor Taylor’s great accomplishments.
Favorite Kathy Taylor story/experience: Mayor Taylor entertaining our Movie Club to watch the Oscars in her home theater, complete with a real popcorn machine, and not even flinching when someone spilled red wine on a white leather chair. She is truly one of the most gracious, generous people I know.
Reuben Gant, president, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce
Characteristics I most admire in Kathy Taylor: Without question Kathy exhibited a compassionate spirit, a commitment to progress, a courage to take risks, a high degree of self-confidence and an unparalleled tenacity to get it done.
Leadership traits that served Kathy Taylor well in her term as mayor: Kathy’s “can do” attitude became almost infectious and truly did instill a new kind of energy in and for Tulsa. In many respects she represented an agent of change and her decisiveness, analytical and forward-thinking ability helped to define a clear vision for Tulsa’s future at a critical time.
Kathy Taylor’s major accomplishment(s) as mayor: I am not sure one can identify one “major” accomplishment under Kathy’s watch that would or could take precedent over any other. Completing the BOK Center; passing a streets improvement package; keeping the Drillers in Tulsa and ONEOK Field; a new City Hall; intensified focus on downtown revitalization; and championing development activity in heretofore neglected, underserved communities in the city for the betterment of all Tulsa are all “major” in their own right and demonstrative of effective leadership.
What makes Kathy Taylor tick: Personally, I think it is her desire to make a difference in people’s lives, to be a public servant, and the challenge of implementing change.
George Kaiser, philanthropist, 2002 TulsaPeople Tulsan of the Year
Mayor Taylor’s major accomplishment(s) as mayor: I marvel at the commitment and energy that Kathy has invested in her all-too-short term as mayor. She restored Tulsa pride during a time of challenge; she emphasized diversity and inclusiveness; she generated excitement and created a strong platform for our city’s return to prominence. We all owe her a great debt of gratitude.
Sharon King Davis, owner, KingsPointe Village and Kings Landing shopping centers
Characteristics I most admire in Kathy Taylor: I truly admire Kathy Taylor’s intelligence and tenacity, her decision-making processes and her deep commitment to Tulsa.
Leadership traits that served Kathy Taylor well in her term as mayor: Kathy Taylor has a servant’s heart and, in doing so, she invites others to come along and we accept. She is working five times harder than she ever asks anyone else to work.”
Kathy Taylor’s major accomplishment(s) as mayor: One of the things that I have truly admired about Mayor Taylor has been her ability to get people involved in city government. Tulsa has had incredibly talented and successful businesspeople devote time to the City of Tulsa and it has benefited the community. If you compare the appointments of citizens to boards and authorities to other administrations, I feel quite sure that Mayor Taylor has one of the highest success rates in getting citizens to serve and keeping those vacancies filled. That is how this city is supposed to work and she has accomplished it. Mayor Taylor’s leadership in the City Hall move was cutting edge, the “dam dams” for the Arkansas River, her concern for our youth and our health and the list goes on.
What makes Kathy Taylor tick: I would love to know that myself; however, I would guess it to be her passion and love for good community service and she has a family that loves and supports that mission.”
Phil Lakin, executive director, Tulsa Community Foundation
Leadership traits that served Kathy Taylor well in her term as mayor: Kathy’s work ethic and tireless schedule will be hallmarks of her service to Tulsa. Tulsa was made efficient because of her efficiency and ability to make a decision. When the public had a question, Kathy answered it, regardless of the hour of the day.
Kathy Taylor’s major accomplishment(s) as mayor: Kathy forged public/private partnerships that will benefit Tulsa for decades — financially, culturally and aesthetically. Our city took a step forward because of Kathy, and I’m glad she lent her time to serve our city so well.
Steve Malcolm, chairman, Williams
Characteristics I most admire in Kathy Taylor: Kathy Taylor was an energetic and effective mayor who demonstrated a strong commitment to improving Tulsa’s future.
Paula A. Marshall, CEO, CPO and CCO, The Bama Cos. Inc.
Characteristics I most admire in Kathy Taylor: I love Kathy! She works tirelessly for all of the citizens of Tulsa all of the time. I don’t believe anyone will ever know all the sacrifices she has made. She and I share the same values of hard work and dedication when you believe in your mission. Those characteristics are the ones I admire most, of course, because they are what make Kathy and I a lot alike!
Leadership traits that served Kathy Taylor well in her term as mayor: Dogged determination; seeing the vision of a better Tulsa and working toward it every day, 24 hours per day!
Kathy Taylor’s major accomplishment(s) as mayor: There are so many, I have a hard time picking just one: moving City Hall, focusing on health and wellness of the team members who support the work of our city, improving Tulsa Police, better conditions at the Tulsa Airport, river projects, support of the WNBA.
What makes Kathy Taylor tick: Kathy loves her family and being devoted to whatever she has passion around.
Favorite Kathy Taylor story/experience: It makes me teary, but when I was going through a tough time personally, Kathy surrounded me, invited me to be part of a larger group of fun, professional women who were also single. She helped me realize I was not alone in this world. I will always be grateful to her for her love and support. She’s amazing. Dewey Bartlett will make a great mayor, but we will all miss Kathy very much.
Kara Gae Neal, superintendent/CEO, Tulsa Technology Center
Characteristics I most admire in Kathy Taylor: In both her personal and professional life, Kathy exemplifies what Professor Higgins tried to teach Eliza Doolittle as the key to success: “The secret is not having particularly good manners or particularly bad manners but having the same manners towards all people.” Her consistency of character is what I most admire.
Leadership traits that served Kathy Taylor well as mayor: If her many strong leadership traits had to be summed in one word, for me it would be “inclusive.” There is no corner of this community that does not know Kathy Taylor and her very personal and direct involvement with all ages, races, social and economic levels. There are no pretentious barriers between Kathy and the people of Tulsa. What you see is what you get. She is an authentic leader at a time when there are too few.
Mayor Taylor’s major accomplishment(s) as mayor: Her many accomplishments as mayor will be even more appreciated in the future than now. My favorite: the deal-of-the-century purchase of the Williams Center for City Hall. She negotiated a jaw-dropping bargain that will showcase the pride citizens have in this city through a state-of-the-art, 21st century architectural wonder that will inspire all who work in it and visit it for decades to come.”
What makes Kathy Taylor tick: Her remarkable intelligence, combined with mega-kilowatt energy, is a powerful combination. She is interested in everything and has the stamina to make sure good ideas become actions. Her passion for people and projects has opened her heart — and her home — to so many good causes. Whatever she believes in, she gives as much of herself as she does any other resource available to her.
Favorite Kathy Taylor story/experience: Naturally, my favorite experience would be Kathy Taylor’s idea to initiate the very successful office efficiency training Tulsa Tech did for over 1,000 city employees to eliminate redundant paper processes before moving into the new City Hall. The training resulted in improved services to the public and significant, measurable savings to the city in hours worked. Tulsa Tech is just one of the many mutually beneficial partnerships that define Mayor Taylor’s tenure.
Julius Pegues, chairperson, Tulsa Development Authority
Leadership traits that served Kathy Taylor well as mayor: Kathy Taylor had compassion for the entire city of Tulsa and she understood that a city is only as good as its weakest link. She is to be commended for working diligently to strengthen the weakest link. We hope that her tremendous effort was not in vain and the new mayor will continue to work toward unifying Tulsa.
