This month, we had a Q&A with senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications Central Region, Percy Kirk. He serves on the board of directors for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, board of trustees for the Oklahoma City National Memorial as well as The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools.
What are the pros/cons of doing business and entrepreneurship work in Oklahoma?
There are only pros! First and foremost, the work ethic of our labor market is one of the best. On top of this, our business community, our local governments, and our non-profit organizations are pretty much in lockstep when it comes to progress and working together for a stable business environment and an excellent quality of life for residents here. You don’t see that everywhere and it certainly makes a difference.
What are you most proud of regarding your time as Chair with the OKC Chamber?
I was honored to serve as the chair of the chamber the last two years and I am most proud of the fact that I was given the opportunity to work with such amazing leaders on so many projects that are making our community a better place. The board of directors is highly engaged and committed to building the best future possible for the metro area. And, Roy and his team work incredibly hard and get a lot done on behalf of this community. I am grateful I was able to work so closely with them.
What upcoming projects in Oklahoma are you excited about?
After seeing the new convention center and the Omni open, one can’t help but be excited about the projects in Maps 4! There is so much taking place including work on the Chesapeake, the new Coliseum at the fairgrounds, the Multipurpose Stadium and the Innovation District. In addition, there is the plan for the Freedom Center and the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, the Family Justice Center, and Youth Centers. What am I most excited about? The entire plan!
What are the keys to developing the next generation of leaders in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma City is very welcoming. If people want to get involved and work to support community organizations, there is plenty of opportunity. It is incumbent upon all of us to actively engage the younger professionals in the projects that promote a collaborative, healthy business environment. Further, we need to invite them to serve on the boards of the organizations that are critical to helping fulfill many of the needs in our community.
What is your vision of Oklahoma for the next 5 years?
As we get past this pandemic, I am looking forward to seeing how the new assets in our community are utilized to bring in new opportunities for growing and continuing to build our city. Last year, the Chamber worked with McKinsey on a project. It was great to see how Oklahoma City compared to other well-regarded cities. In five years, I expect to see us continuing to move up on the lists.