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Speakers

2025 Bios

Ronald (Ronnie) Hobbs, Product Support Management & Civil Engineering Division Chief at Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma

Ronnie Hobbs is the Product Support Management & Civil Engineering Division Chief at Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. He leads the division that is charged with Sustainment, Weapon System Integration, and Organic Industrial Base Planning. Further, he is charged with Strategic Facility & Infrastructure Planning, Programming and Execution oversight to sustain and enhance AFSC's real property assets by supporting the AFSC Civil Engineering Directorates and Air Logistics Complexes located at each Air Base Wing.

Ronald is a Veteran of the United States Air Force. He served as an Avionics Technician on Fighter Aircraft. Ronald began his Federal Service in 2006 at Tinker AFB Oklahoma as a Senior Avionics Technician for the 550th Commodities Maintenance Squadron. After completing his Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Science, he then transitioned to the Acquisition Career field through the Defense Career Internship Program. During this time, he received Level III Contracting and Level I Program Management Acquisition certifications as well as his Master’s degree. As a Contracting Officer and Supervisor he supported multiple contracting organizations to include Supply Chain, Maintenance Support, Contractor Logistics Support, and Propulsion Contracting organizations. In addition, he served as the Alternative Competition Advocate and Acquisition Support Chief for the Contracting Directorate at Tinker AFB. Prior to his current position, Ronnie served as the AFSC Small Business Director for three years, providing critical support to small businesses.EDUCATION 2008 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL. 2010 Master of Science in Aerospace Administration & Logistics, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK. 2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL. 2014 Air Command & Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL. ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY

1.October 2001 – November 2001, Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX.

2.November 2001 – July 2002, F-16 Avionics Apprentice School, Sheppard AFB, TX.

3.July 2002 – January 2005, F-16 Avionics Journeyman, 524th Fighter Squadron, Cannon Force Base, NM.

(November 2002 – June 2003, F-16 Avionics Journeyman, Prince Sultan Air Base, SA)

4.January 2005 – September 2005, W&W Steel, Oklahoma City, OK.

5.January 2007– July 2009 B-1/B-52 Bomber Avionics Technician, Tinker AFB, OK.

6.July 2009 – December 2010, Contract Specialist Apprentice OC-ALC Enterprise Acquisition, Tinker AFB, OK.

7.December 2010 – November 2012, Contracting Specialist, Air Force Global Logistics Supply Center (AFGLSC),Tinker AFB, OK.

8.November 2012 – December 2015, Contracting Officer, AFGLSC Supply Chain Contracting, Tinker AFB, OK.

9.December 2015 – November 2016, Trainer Platforms Contracting Team Lead, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker AFB, OK.

10. November 2016 – December 2019, Maintenance Contracting Section Chief, Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC), Tinker AFB, OK.

11. December 2019 – February 2022, Contracting Directorate Acquisition Support Chief, AFSC, Tinker AFB, OK.

12. February 2022 – June 2022, F100, TF33, T56 Supply Chain Contracting Chief, AFSC, Tinker AFB, OK.

13.June 2022 - June 2025, AFSC Small Business Director, AFSC, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS 2002 Top Graduate, F-16 Avionics School 2012 Air Force Global Logistics Supply Center Employee of the Year 2012 Oklahoma Federal Executive Board Employee of the Year 2014 Team Tinker & Wiley Post Employee of the Year 2014 Employee Enhancement Program Graduate 2015 Air Force Science, Engineering, and Technical Management Support Award 2022 AFMC Large Unit Small Business Office of the Year 2022 DOD Vanguard Award for Small Business Program 2023 AFMC Large Unit Small Business Office of the Year2024 Air Force SB Innovation Team of the YearSubmitted and received multiple IDEA Program awards for process improvements, savings the Government tens of thousands of dollars.

Brent Haken, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education

Brent Haken became the ninth state director of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education in January 2023. Haken was in his fourth year as superintendent of Morrison Public Schools when he was named state director of ODCTE. Before Haken was named superintendent he served in several capacities in Morrison, including agricultural education instructor, elementary assistant principal, special education director, high school principal and testing coordinator. He was an agricultural education instructor in Wellston, Stillwater and Morrison, Oklahoma prior to becoming an administrator in Morrison. Haken received the 2022 Superintendents Chairman’s Award from the Oklahoma Youth Expo and was the Oklahoma Association of Superintendents District 4 Superintendent of the Year for 2022. He is a member of the Oklahoma State Professional Education Council and the Cooperative Council for Secondary Administrators. He has been a member of the Oklahoma Career Technology Master Teacher Committee, the National Association of Agriculture Educators and the Association of Career Technical Educators and served on the board and as vice president of the Oklahoma Agriculture Education Teachers Association. Haken earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Oklahoma State University.

Sharina Perry- Founder/ Inventor- Utopia Plastix; CEO, Managing Partner- Utopia Model Companies 

Sharina Perry is an entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience establishing and running national businesses. Sharina is the founder and inventor of Utopia Plastix, a plant-based alternative to petroleum-based polymers. Sharina is also the originator and developer of The Utopia Model, a sustainable ecosystem business model. She is well regarded as an innovator, strategist, and unconventional thinker. She is often praised for her exceptional capacity to foster creative thinking, effective execution, and deliberate leadership. 

Aside from her successful career, Sharina holds a significant number of leadership, management, and business development certifications. Sharina holds an expert certification in Sustainable Strategies and Circular Economics. Her education includes, but is not limited to, The University of Oklahoma and Cambridge Judge Business School. Sharina also owns registered global patents and trademarks. 

Sharina serves on the Oklahoma Governors Minority Business Council as chair of the Business Engagement Committee. Sharina was also a key committee member for the initiative leading to the passage of HB 2365; the first Supplier Diversity Program within the state of Oklahoma focused on aiding in the advancement of minority and underserved small business owners.  

In 2023, Sharina was appointed to the Oklahoma District Export Council by the US Secretary of Commerce. Sharina serves as the Chair on the Advisory Board of the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business Multicultural Business Program. She also serves on the Executive Board for Hough Ear Institute. 

Sharina was instrumental in contributing her knowledge, insights, and expertise when the City of Oklahoma City convened community leaders and stakeholders when creating an economic resilience and recovery plan post Covid. 

Sharina is a founding STEM committee member for the Oklahoma City Innovation District. Sharina led the drafting of the resolution passed unanimously by the OKC Council to bring Public, Private and Educational Institutions together to address STEM and Workforce Development within the historically black community on the northeast side of Oklahoma City. 

Throughout her illustrious career, Sharina has received numerous awards and accolades and has been recognized worldwide. Sharina was listed as Forbes's Top 10 Women to Watch in 2023 (globally). Sharina was also featured in September 2023 on the iconic Nasdaq Billboard in NYC Times Square as the Inventor of the Year.  

Jessica Parker, US Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division 

Outreach & Planning Specialist 
Oklahoma District Office 

Jessica Parker began her career with the Wage & Hour Division (WHD) as an Investigator enforcing federal labor laws in 2012. She moved into her current role in 2014, providing community outreach and compliance education to employees, employers, and other stakeholders. Her work also involves planning, monitoring, and evaluating progress for the agency’s local, regional, and national initiatives.  

Prior to joining WHD, Parker entered Federal Service as a Claims Representative for the Social Security Administration followed by a break in federal service to teach high school business. 

Parker attended the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, but later transferred to East Central University and graduated with honors, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Marketing. Parker also completed post-graduate coursework in Business Law. 

Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with family and friends, and is active in her community and church. She and her husband live on a farm outside a small town in central Oklahoma where they raise cattle, crops, and three active boys. Of all the titles she’s held, Boy Mom is her favorite. 

Kellye Johnson, Oklahoma Department of Transportation

Kellye Johnson, originally from Kansas, currently resides in Oklahoma. She is a graduate of Langston University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. In 2005, she obtained her MBA with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Phoenix. Kellye's entrepreneurial experience, coupled with her passion for community service, positions her well for her role as the DBE Supportive Services Coordinator.

Kellye is enthusiastic about the mission of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and is eager to support disadvantaged businesses in broadening their demographic reach and enhancing their organizational profiles.

Lana Knott, OkAPEX Program Manager, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education

Lana Knott is the Program Manager for the OkAPEX program at the OK Department of Careertech. She was born and raised in the Great State of Oklahoma in the small town of Afton. She’s a product of our system graduating from the administrative assistant program at NE Tech and then coming to OSU to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Go Pokes! 

She started working for the OK Department of Careertech as an administrative assistant and progressed into the OBAN group as a government document specialist. Eventually she worked her way to Customer Service Manager and Adult Ed Financial Analyst. She is very excited about getting to work with Oklahoma’s businesses and help Oklahomans be successful in the workplace and in life.

In her spare time, she enjoys riding horses and competing in play days, being with her husband as he team ropes, and loving the grandma life with her eight littles all under 6.

 

Aaron Collins, Metro Technology Center, Superintendent

Aaron Collins was named Superintendent by the Metro Technology Centers Board of Education in June of 2020. Under his guidance, the activities of the district have brought Metro Tech to the forefront of statewide educational leaders. Mr. Collins is passionate about equity in education, quality career training and lifelong learning.

Prior to his appointment at Metro Tech, he spent two decades in education serving as a teacher, coach, administrator and as superintendent at Fulton County Schools in Kentucky where he worked extensively in workforce development.

Oklahoma City holds a special place in Mr. Collins’ heart. He completed his student teaching at Millwood Middle School, graduated from Oklahoma Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in 1999 and received the School of Education’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014. He has a Master’s and Education Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Technological University.

Mr. Collins is a United States Air Force veteran who served as a Health Services Management Support Specialist in Operation Desert Shield and Storm. In his spare time, he enjoys jogging, playing basketball and traveling with his family. He and his wife Chanelle have four children: Caleb, Daniel, Abigail and Lydia. 

Greg Weber, Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC

Gregory is a Senior Associate Attorney at Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC. Greg has represented clients in a wide array of Federal government contracting issues, including but not limited to Bid Protests (in multiple venues), SBA socio-economic certifications, transactional issues, SBA size protests and appeals, and Federal government contracting compliance. When tackling issues for clients, Greg relies on his experience in complex federal and state regulatory matters to help clients navigate the intricate web of Federal government contracts law and its administrative processes. He is also a regular contributor to the Federal government contracting blog SmallGovCon.com and speaks regularly on Federal government contracting issues to audiences across the country. You can contact Greg at gweber@koprince.com.

Jaime Hough, OK Catalyst

Jaime serves as the Statewide Outreach Coordinator for OK Catalyst and in this role helps connect innovators in the OK entrepreneurial ecosystem to funding resources available through the SBIR/STR programs. Jaime earned her PhD in American Studies from Purdue University.

AJ Rosenthal

AJ Rosenthal is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in engineering and business development. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of General Genomics, Inc. (GGI), an AI-informed predictive analytics company specializing in biosciences, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and national security based in Oklahoma City, OK. His career includes various leadership roles such as President & CEO, Vice President of Business Development, and Chairman of the Board. Before transitioning to the private sector, AJ had a distinguished military career as a Navy Nuclear Engineer, serving for eight years with multiple wartime tours in the Persian Gulf on the USS Enterprise CVN-65.

AJ’s academic credentials are equally impressive. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Thomas Edison State University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Arizona Global Campus, and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business.

He has also earned a Certificate of Distinguished Honor for his mentorship at Cornell University’s College of Engineering, underscoring his dedication to continuous learning and leadership. Throughout his career, AJ has been passionate about solving complex challenges in the field of biotechnology. His extensive experience in new business development, project planning, and artificial intelligence has equipped him with the skills necessary to lead innovative projects and drive strategic growth. Under his leadership, General Genomics Inc. is poised to make significant contributions, leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to address some of the most pressing datacentric problems for living organisms.

AJ Rosenthal’s journey from military service to AI is a testament to his adaptability, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His diverse experiences and accomplishments reflect a career dedicated to both service and innovation, making him a respected leader in his field. AJ continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, driven by a passion to make a meaningful impact.

Jeannie Troxel, Supplier Relationship Manager for Central Purchasing - OMES

Jeannie Troxel has been a member of the CP team for a year and 1/2 months. In her role, she builds valuable partnerships between agencies and contracted suppliers. Jeannie has more than 30 years of customer service experience and throughout her career has worked in the insurance, legal and energy fields.

Jeannie has three daughters, one son and three grandchildren. She serves on the praise and worship team at her church and sings in a music duo called 2 Time N. She also enjoys fishing, camping and cooking.

Jeannie is passionate about serving the community, helping others and working hard to serve the state of Oklahoma and its citizens. Bio...

Monica Hardesty, Senior Buyer, Certified Procurement Officer, City of Oklahoma City

Monica Hardesty is a Senior Buyer and Certified Procurement Officer for the City of Oklahoma City Procurement Services in Finance. Monica works on a fantastic team with five other extremely experienced Senior Buyers. Her responsibilities include creating bid solicitations and contracts for construction related materials and services, (not actual construction), including HVAC, Electrical Services, Plumbing Items and Services, Building Materials, Concrete, to name a few.  Monica has been a buyer for 18 years, with 8 years in government or public procurement.  She’s been responsible for the Small, Disadvantaged, Minority, and Women-Owned Business outreach program in Finance since starting with the City.  It’s a program she’s extremely passionate about.  She was a small business owner for over 20 years across three states and understands the difficulties a lot of SDBE vendors face.

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Contact: OkAPEX Accelerator / CareerTech (Formerly OkPTAC)

1500 W. Seventh Ave.
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074
(405) 743-5122 - Lana Knott
(405) 743-5571 - Shelley Dawson
(405) 743-5551 - Andria Henderson
okapex@careertech.ok.gov

Hosted By:

OkAPEX divisional logo with white background (side-by-side) for printing

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OkAPEX, a division of OK CareerTech

This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.

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Last Modified on Jul 23, 2025