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Watkins Honored with Stanley Draper Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Brenda Jones, APR
(405) 516-9686
Brenda@JonesPRGroup.com

Editor’s Note: Photos available

DOWNTOWN OKC ANNOUNCES 2006 DEAN A. MCGEE AWARD HONOREES

Humphreys, Watkins and Warriner Recognized for Bringing Excellence to Downtown

OKLAHOMA CITY – February 13, 2006 -- Downtown Oklahoma City, Incorporated (DOKC) will honor three business and civic leaders for their outstanding contributions to Downtown at the 20th Annual Dean A. McGee Award Ceremony. Former Oklahoma City Mayor and President of Gibralter Investments, Kirk Humphreys will receive the Dean A McGee Award. The Stanley Draper Award will be presented to Oklahoma City National Memorial Executive Director Kari Watkins, and Laura Warriner, Director of Untitled [ArtSpace], will receive the Neal Horton Award.

The 2006 Dean A. McGee Award Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 19 in the Meinders Hall of Mirrors located at the Civic Center Music Hall at 201 N. Walker. The Black-Tie evening begins with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by a gourmet dinner and award presentation at 7 p.m.

“The vibrant energy and economic growth of Downtown Oklahoma City are the results of commitment and dedication of people like this year’s honorees. We are so very proud to recognize their achievements,” said Jane Thompson, Co-Chair of the 2006 Dean A. McGee Award Ceremony along with Ray Ackerman.

The Dean A. McGee Award recognizes individuals for a lifetime of contributions to Downtown Oklahoma City. It is named after Dean A. McGee, an Oklahoma City business leader who chaired Kerr-McGee Corporation for two decades and was passionate about developing downtown for future generations.

Humphreys, the 2006 Dean A. McGee Award recipient, demonstrated his continued commitment to Downtown Oklahoma City during his tenure as Mayor of Oklahoma City. As Mayor, Humphreys put his political capital on the line in the first months of his first term by
leading an election to extend the MAPS Tax for six months and complete all projects debt-free.

Humphreys was also responsible for ushering in the successful MAPS for Kids plan, which although still in its infancy, has made a strong and positive impact on Downtown OKC as more families return to the inner City with improving schools. Additionally, he was a strong leader in the creation of Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc. and the Business Improvement District (BID).

The Stanley Draper Award is presented by Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc. for community excellence by an outstanding staff or volunteer of a non-profit group or non-elected government employee who has made a lasting positive change for downtown. The award is named after city visionary and long-time Chamber executive Stanley Draper.

Kari Watkins, the 2006 Stanley Draper Award honoree, has steered the Oklahoma City National Memorial as its Executive Director since 1999. Her steady leadership in managing a complex, multi-million dollar entity has continued to be sought by private and public officials nationwide.

Since overseeing the construction of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, Watkins has guided the organization from a concept to a nationally recognized symbol of healing. Through her leadership, the Oklahoma City National Memorial has revitalized a once-heartbreaking section of downtown Oklahoma City to a beacon of hope that attracts visitors from around the world.

The Neal Horton Award is presented to a visionary who creates a renaissance in a part of Downtown. It is named after Neal Horton who pioneered and visualized Bricktown as the energetic entertainment destination we know today.

Laura Warriner, the 2006 Neal Horton Award recipient, was the first Downtown OKC urban-style homesteader. She has created an innovative mixed-use space that has fueled a broader and increasingly dynamic vision of Downtown. A pioneer in the renaissance of Downtown living, Warriner transformed an abandoned and damaged historic warehouse, adjacent to the railroad tracks, into a modern and spacious loft. The building now accommodates a rotating selection of visiting artists upstairs and features a contemporary art gallery on the ground floor which hosts creative exhibitions and offers a forum for the community.

Warriner’s nationally recognized Untitled [ArtSpace] has provided a home to emerging and established artists from around the world. This non-profit gallery’s growth complements a larger cultural expansion in Downtown OKC by linking Downtown with the global arts community through local, national and international artists, exhibitions, performances, lectures and films.

“Collectively, Dean McGee, Stanley Draper and Neal Horton started the entire Downtown area redevelopment,” said 2006 Co-Chair Ackerman, a former recipient of the prestigious Dean A. McGee Award. “To receive awards named after them for carrying on their work is a most distinctive recognition for Kirk, Kari and Laura.”

The Dean A. McGee Awards, presented by Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc., is open to anyone interested in continuing excellence for downtown. Formal invitations will be sent in April; however, advance tickets of $150 per person may be purchased by calling 235-3500 or emailing rsvp@downtownokc.com. Seating is limited and reservations are required by May 5th. Premium tables are available at a sponsorship level of $2,500, and patron tables at a $1,500 level.

Downtown OKC, Inc. is a non-profit organization that works with the City of Oklahoma City and numerous other partners to achieve maximum benefit for downtown as a full-time advocate. For additional information about Downtown OKC, Inc. and the Dean A. McGee awards, visit www.downtownokc.com.

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Editor’s Note: Previous Dean A. McGee Awards Honorees

Dean A. McGee Award Recipients
2005 – Luke R. Corbett
2004 - Burns Hargis
2003 - Lee Allan Smith
2002 - J. Edward Barth
2000 - Ray Ackerman
1999 - Dave R. Lopez
1998 - Robert M. Johnson
1997 - J. Larry Nichols
1995 - Jackie L. Jones
1994 - Ken Townsend
1993 - Mayor Ron Norick
1992 - Bill Johnstone
1991 – Fred Jones Hall
1990 – Clayton Bennett
1989 - James R. Tolbert
1988 - Stanton L. Young
1987 - J.W. "Bill" McLean
1986 - Dean A. McGee

Stanley Draper Award Recipients
2005 – Dan Batchelor
2004 – JoeVan Bullard
2003 - Carolyn Hill
2002 - James D. Couch

Neal Horton Award Recipients
2005 – Meg Salyer
2004 – Randy Hogan
2003 - John Michael Williams
2002 - Scott Rodgers & Steve Utley (First Worthing Company)

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