Joan Welborn
Joan Welborn was born in Perry, Oklahoma, but raised in rural Ponca City, Oklahoma, where she graduated from St. Mary’s School. She continued her education at Oklahoma State University.
She began her professional career in 1961 at ADPC, the first company in Oklahoma to provide computerized financial accounting for schools. She purchased ADPC in 1984 and, as its chief executive officer and president, continued to expand the business and its service offerings to public schools and technology centers. During her tenure, she continued to enhance the services to user-friendly technology and proactively upgraded technology to reflect changing needs and various regulations. Training the school users on the technology and regulations, as well as trouble-shooting problems and finding new solutions, has been paramount in the customer service she delivered. Because the ADPC client base spanned the state of Oklahoma and additional business obligations in Kansas and Arkansas, Welborn received her private pilot license in 1979 to more efficiently provide timely service to her clients.
Her commitment to education is reflected not only through her business activities for both public schools and CareerTech institutions, but also her personal services and support for CareerTech education. She has been described by her clients as an “unsung hero,” as well as a “champion and true friend of CareerTech.” In 1999, she received the Oklahoma Vocational Association Distinguished Service Award for her support and commitment. She has been a gold star sponsor for 20 years for the CareerTech Foundation Golf Tournament, with proceeds earmarked for scholarships. She is also a member of the Oklahoma CareerTech Foundation Board.
Welborn is very active in Ponca City. She is a member of the Marland Mansion Foundation Board and has served on numerous boards, including Pioneer Tech Foundation, Ponca City Country Club and the Domestic Violence Center. She also does volunteer work for the Marland Children’s Home. She has been a strong supporter of veterans’ organizations, as well as youth soccer and softball programs in the community.
Welborn has one daughter and son-in-law Melinda and Kevin, and two grandsons, Ryan and Blake; and one son, Greg. She and her husband, Richard, are avid and vocal supporters of Oklahoma State University, both academically and athletically. Her favorite pastimes include activities with family, golf, traveling, attending sporting events and most certainly shopping.
Welborn always describes her best accomplishments in life as having both a family and career that she loves, as well as the lifelong friendships she has made over the years.
Welborn was inducted into the CareerTech Hall of Fame in 2017.
