Tulsa Metro Chamber inaugurates Stan Lybarger as 2008 chairman

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City),  Jan 25, 2008  by Heather Caliendo

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Stan Lybarger used a metaphor from the late Jack Zink, a motorcycle racing enthusiast, to describe the city of Tulsa.

"Jack used to say there are two types of people in the world - those who make dust and those who eat dust," he said. "I would submit the metaphor is as applicable to cities as it is to people."

Lybarger, CEO and president of Bank of Oklahoma, was inaugurated as chairman of the board of directors for the Tulsa Metro Chamber on Thursday afternoon.

The Tulsa Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center was filled with more than 1,000 people waiting to hear the chamber's plans for this year.

Outgoing president Chet Cadieux, CEO and president of QuikTrip Corp., discussed the progress and setbacks during 2007.

"The easy route to describe 2007 would be a reflection on all of the great progress we have made on our strategic initiatives such as jobs, downtown and legislative success," he said.

Those initiatives are part of a five-year strategic plan the chamber implanted. While those areas are seeing success, Cadieux said education and Arkansas River development saw setbacks.

Cadieux didn't hide his disappointment about the failed Arkansas River tax proposal.

"We can only hope that such an opportunity presents itself again in the future and that we'll be prepared as a community to take advantage of it next time," said Cadieux.

When Lybarger took the stage he talked about Tulsa's positive aspects.

"Tulsa per capita income is 16 percent above the national average, while the state of Oklahoma is 14 percent below" he said.

Lybarger said Tulsa's unemployment rate is 4 percent, which is lower than Oklahoma City and the United States.

Lybarger said the chamber's 2008 priorities will carry on those of 2007, particularly downtown development and the expansion of work force attraction efforts.

"I am a firm believer that real progress begins with acknowledging and addressing your weaknesses," he said. "It is certainty applicable in business and no doubt equally applicable to building a world-class community."

He said there needs to be a balance between spending for basic needs and investing in enhancements to make the community a more appealing place to work.

"The Tulsa region must become a community of choice to knowledgeable, creative and skilled workers," said Lybarger. "It is in our economic best interest to both improve our funding of basic services and invest to make our community a more attractive place to live and work."

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