The Oklahoma Bar Association announces the 28 participants of its inaugural Leadership Academy class selected from applicants throughout the state.

“I am excited about the opportunities this academy will showcase to our state’s attorneys,” said OBA President Bill Conger of Oklahoma City. “Through this program, the participants will learn how to communicate and motivate more effectively leading to greater success not only in law, but also in service to professional, political, judicial, civic and community organizations.”

The OBA Leadership Academy originated from the OBA’s Leadership Conference in 2007.

The Leadership Academy will differ from the conference in that it will feature fewer participants and multiple sessions. The academy is set to begin in the early fall of 2008 and continue through May 2009.

Alternates for the academy are Jennifer Kirkpatrick, Nancy Winans-Garrison, Wade Gungoll, Oklahoma City; and Melissa Cornell, Tulsa.

Along with many leadership training activities, Champions for Growth founder Chuck Gold will present at the academy. Gold will provide assistance and professional growth to the participants in their efforts of building teamwork, success and leadership while teaching them how to keep their newly acquired skills.

OBA Leadership Academy Participants

Ardmore
Carrie E. Hixon of Mordy & Mordy PC

Bartlesville
Tanayia Hubler of Hubler  & Reynolds Law Office
Russell Vaclaw, Washington County associate district judge

Bristow
Lauren Allison of the Law Office of Lauren Lester Allison

Cordell  
Megan Simpson of the Washita County District Attorney’s Office

Edmond
Melinda L. Alizadeh-Fard of Melinda L. Alizadeh-Fard

Enid
Robert Faulk of Faulk Law Firm PLLC

Guymon
Cory Hicks of Field & Hicks PLLC

Muskogee
Justin Stout of Wright, Stout & Wilburn

Oklahoma City
Lindsey Andrews of Echols & Associates
Todd W. Blasdel of Rowland & Blasdel PLLC
Anthony L. Bonner Jr. of Cathcart & Dooley
Christine Cave of Meyer Cave & Leonard PLLC
Tina Izadi of the Office of the Attorney General
Annette Jacobi of the Oklahoma State Department of Health
LeAnne McGill of Cathy Christensen PC
Richard Rose of Mahaffey & Gore PC
Christian Szlichta of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission
Jeff Trevillion of the City of OKC

Stillwater
Deborah Scott Pappas of D. Scott Pappas, Attorney at Law

Tahlequah  
Diane A. Hammons of the Cherokee Nation

Tulsa
Kimberly Hays of Kimberly K. Hays PLLC
Lindsay McDowell of Rhodes, Hieronymus, Jones, Tucker & Gable
Sharisse O’Carroll of O’Carroll & O’Carroll
Amber Peckio-Garrett of Garrett Law Office PC
Briana Ross of Guaranty Abstract Co.
Robert Raymond Snow of Snow Law Firm PLLC
Jennifer White of Eldridge Cooper Steichen & Leach PLLC