Oklahoma Collegiate DECA members elected to international office
Oklahoma Collegiate DECA members returned from the International Career Development Conference in San Francisco with two international officers and several awards.
Peighton Harak and Tucker West were elected to the 2025-26 Collegiate DECA Executive Council as vice presidents. Harak, who works as a part-time clerk in Oklahoma CareerTech’s health science education division, attends Oklahoma State University, and West attends High Plains Technology Center.
Rachel Antony, Oklahoma Baptist University, placed first in travel and tourism, and Annie Davis and Avie Krebs, Oklahoma Christian University, placed third in digital marketing strategies.
Other finalists were Sarah Black and Kenley York, Oklahoma Baptist University, sports marketing; Stone Small and Josh Drouin, Oklahoma Christian University, sports marketing; and Lynnley Grindstaff, Oklahoma Baptist University, marketing management.
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
CareerTech Foundation awards $126,067 in scholarships
The Oklahoma CareerTech Foundation recently awarded more than $126,000 in scholarships to 220 postsecondary students in Oklahoma.
The foundation distributed $126,067 in Otha Grimes scholarships to students attending Oklahoma CareerTech technology centers. Scholarships ranged from $400 to $800 per student.
“The Otha Grimes Scholarships continue to make a profound impact by opening doors for adult students who are passionate about a brighter future. These awards not only ease the financial burden but also inspire recipients to pursue their goals with confidence and purpose,” said Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken.
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
CareerTech board members sworn in
Two members of the Oklahoma State Board of Career and Technology Education were sworn in last week.
Leonard McCullough is a new member, and Michael Brown was sworn in as a reappointed member.
McCullough is the founder and former CEO of Linen King, a major health care laundry service provider in the south central United States. Under his leadership, Linen King grew from one facility with 17 employees to seven locations across five states with more than 700 employees before merging with HLSG in 2023.
McCullough graduated from Duke University. He is an experienced executive mentor through YPO Tulsa and works on ventures like Motorsports Collective and executive consulting with Laundris.
Brown is the president and owner of Chardon Builders of Lawton, specializing in design/build and construction management. He graduated from Oklahoma State University and brings extensive business experience and a strong background in public service, having served two terms on the Lawton City Council and as mayor pro tempore.
He is involved in several civic and professional organizations, including Leadership Lawton/Fort Sill, Leadership Oklahoma and the Lawton Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Meridian Tech superintendent honored
Meridian Technology Center Superintendent Doug Major has been named Superintendent of the Year by the Oklahoma School Public Relations Association.
Major began his CareerTech journey as an agricultural education teacher. He joined Meridian Tech in 1987 as an administrative intern and worked in various administrative positions there for 13 years. He became superintendent and CEO of Pioneer Technology Center in 2000 before returning to Meridian Tech as superintendent and CEO in 2008.
“His commitment to clear communication, hands-on leadership and student success has shaped Meridian into a nationally recognized CareerTech school. Under his guidance, we’ve expanded access to training, grown enrollment and launched tools like virtual tours so students and families can explore their futures from anywhere,” the tech center posted on Facebook.
Read more and see photos on the Meridian Tech Facebook page.
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State Agency Assistance at a Glance
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
OK Career Guide Training Opportunities
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