USAO’s Coponiti Part of Leadership Oklahoma

When the 22nd class of Leadership Oklahoma met for the first time, a familiar face to the Chickasha area was a part of the respected state group. Mike Coponiti, vice president for business and finance at USAO, was named to the Leadership Oklahoma class last year.

In addition to Leadership Oklahoma, Coponiti serves as chairman of the 2009 Chickasha Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and serves on the USAO Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a 1992 graduate of USAO.

“This is a huge honor,” Coponiti said. “To be considered for this program is one of the greatest compliments I have ever received. I hope to represent USAO and the community of Chickasha well among the fine people in this program. I am one of many Chickasha people who have been selected in years past.”

Each year, Leadership Oklahoma brings together approximately 50 Oklahoma leaders who represent a wide geographic base and who have diverse backgrounds and vocations. The 2008 class is from 21 Oklahoma communities and includes administrators, executives, writers, dentists, optometrists, educators, small business owners, state officials, judges and tribal officials.

The goal is to tap the energies of leaders to initiate positive changes for the benefit of all Oklahomans. Participants are chosen through a rigorous application process and selected to represent Oklahoma’s professional, geographical and cultural diversity.

The primary emphasis of Leadership Oklahoma is its annual educational, issues-oriented 10-month class program. Monthly two-day sessions are scheduled in various communities throughout the state. Sessions start in August and end in May of each year. This class is scheduled to graduate May 2.

Each class is exposed to the many social and environmental complexities of the state in order to stimulate inquiry, analysis and independent development of solutions for the public good. Class members meet and talk with Oklahoma’s current leaders and explore the state’s opportunities, needs, issues and resources.

The organization began in 1986 when a group of Oklahoma leaders began a series of discussions based on the belief that positive change cannot happen without effective leadership. They also shared the conviction that leadership must understand the complex differences and relationships driving Oklahoma and search for common ties that will inspire the state to change and grow. Leadership Oklahoma was created to build a statewide leadership development program designed to identify, teach and challenge the leaders of Oklahoma.