Kathy Taylor is the lady standing next to David Boren, she is the third person from the left. Her daughter is the lady next to her. The other man in this photo is Stuart Solomon, President and CEO of PSO.
Most regular Tulsans have little to no idea who this woman is who threw her hat into the mayor's race on the Democratic Party side. For discerning Tulsans, who would like to know a bit more, here is some info I've been able to find:
(Kathy) Taylor was appointed secretary of commerce and tourism by Governor Brad Henry in February, 2003. She also serves as Henry’s small business advocate for the state.
Before her appointment, Taylor was an attorney with Crowe & Dunlevy and president of the Lobeck-Taylor Foundation. She serves on the Board of Visitors for OU College of Arts and Sciences, and on the University of Tulsa Board of Trustees. She has served on the board of directors of Sonic Industries, Dollar Car Rental, National Car Rental, and the Grand River Dam Authority, and as a trustee for the OU Foundation.
She is a member of the Tulsa County Bar Association, the Oklahoma Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the International Bar Association.
Taylor’s community involvement has also included the Gilcrease Museum, Resonance Support Center for Women, Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Tulsa Zoo Friends, and the Philbrook Museum of Art. She was also active in serving the Holland Hall School, and Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa, among others.
As chair of two major Tulsa fund-raising events, the Opera Ball and Philbrook Wine Experience, Taylor promotes both the state and the arts.
For both the Opera and Philbrook, she was able to make a significant impact. Revenues from the Wine Experience, the museum’s largest fund-raiser, grew to more than $1 million for the first time in its history, which placed the event in the top wine events in the country.
Taylor was the first commerce secretary to be tasked with three state agencies—Commerce, Tourism and Recreation, and Workforce Development/Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. She received the 2003 Pinnacle Award for Community Service from the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women and the 2003 Mona Lambird Spotlight Award from the Oklahoma Bar Association.
As late as 2004, she is listed as the President and Executive Director of the Lobeck-Taylor Foundation, a private foundation at 1144 S. Lewis in Tulsa. She and her husband William are the only two Directors listed. He shows no time spent each week with the foundation, and Kathy spends approximately 5 hours a week on it. This foundation had $2.9 million in total assets at the end of 2004. Here is a breakdown of the $606,643 in contributions made by the foundation in 2004:
FORM 990PF, PART XV - GRANTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS PAID DURING THE YEAR
RECIPIENT NAME AND ADDRESS PURPOSE OF GRANT OR CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT
TULSA AREA UNITED WAY GENERAL OPERATIONS 10,000
PHILBROOK MUSEUM GENERAL OPERATIONS 9,050
PHILHROOK MUSEUM GENERAL OPERATIONS 34,327
THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT 5,510
PHILHROOK MUSEUM GENERAL OPERATIONS 4,600
THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL FUNDS 5,700
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF TULSA CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 2,000
DOMESTICE VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SERVICES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN/2004 ENDOWMENT 2,000
TULSA C.A .R .E .S. GENERAL OPERATIONS 500
TULSA WOMEN'S FOUNDATION GENERAL OPERATIONS 1,000
OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN 10,000
RICHARDSON AREA YOUNG LIFE HOWL DONATION 100
N .E .W. LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION GENERAL OPERATIONS 2,000
OKLAHOMA ISRAEL EXCHANGE GENERAL OPERATIONS 250
100 BLACK MEN OF TULSA, INC. MENTORSHIP 6 YOUTH ACTIVITIES FUND 500
FT. GIBSON LAKE ASSOCIATION GENERAL OPERATIONS 250
GIRL SCOUTS OF MAGIC EMPIRE COUNCIL JULIETTE LOW LEADERSHIP 500
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY GENERAL OPERATIONS 100
GILCREASE MUSEUM GENERAL OPERATIONS 24,050
HOLLAND HAIL GENERAL OPERATIONS 2,500
OK STATE SENATE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION GENERAL OPERATIONS 20,000
WILLOW SPRINGS BOYS RANCH GENERAL OPERATIONS 100
TULSA GLOBAL ALLIANCE GENERAL OPERATIONS 4,900
OK SCH OF SCIENCE & MATH FND ARTIST SPONSORSHIP 5,000
NAT’L CONFRNCE FOR COMMUNITY & JUSTICE GENERAL OPERATIONS 2,500
OKLAHOMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME GENERAL OPERATIONS 1,400
ICI CITIZENS POLICY CENTER GENERAL OPERATIONS 2,500
COUNCIL OAK MEN’S CHORALE GENERAL OPERATIONS 100
OK HERITAGE ASSN GENERAL OPERATIONS 1,750
GILCREASE MUSEUM GENERAL OPERATIONS 5,000
SIMON ESTES ED FD GENERAL OPERATIONS 1,500
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY ED FD CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 390,685
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FD LAW LIBRARY FUND 56,271
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS PAID IN 2004 606,643
Nothing particularly earth-shattering here, except maybe over half the contributions were made to Old Dominion in Norfolk, Virginia.
So what comes through loud and clear about Kathy Taylor??
She is rich.
She is a lawyer.
She is a friend of Governor Brad Henry.
She spends part of her time giving away large sums of money to pet causes.
She is a Democrat.
She knows how to raise money.
But, can anyone name one thing she has done as the Oklahoma Director of Commerce that has had a direct benefit to Tulsa? Tulsa has been in an economic "funk" while she has held court over Oklahoma commerce. Could that be her achilles heel during the campaign?
11 comments:
She made her husband move his company here and stop playing in Florida?
"NAT’L CONFRNCE FOR COMMUNITY & JUSTICE GENERAL OPERATIONS 2,500"
That's enough of a reason for me to oppose her.
So if someone who starts with nothing,works hard and makes money, that's bad?
Lawyer? County Bar Association? State Bar Association? American Bar Association? International Bar Association?
Sorry - that's 5 strikes against her.
Please, no more "L" words in Government - litigation, lovin, legislator, lawyers.
I am not impressed by a fancy resume, nor a long list of perceived "impressive" name dropping, don't trust any kind of Board members, and could careless who she donates to.
Why is anyone impressed by such things? Governor Henry? Big deal. If he walked past me tomorrow, I certainly wouldn't stop him for his autograph.
You know what impresses me? The stay at home mom who has successfully managed her household and raised her children to be good honest citizens. The hard working father who worked overtime to provide food and shelter for his family, and still found time to help his children with his homework. The farmer who tilled the dirt and raised his cattle so we could feed our country. The waste management personnel who never fail to show up for their jobs. The single mother going to school during the day, working at night, doing what she can to make ends meet and provide for her children. The daycare provider at the local church who put in 15 years of dedication on a low wage, simply because she enjoyed it.
I am not impressed with Ivy league diplomas, or Hummers, or Diamonds, or fancy suits, or how big your home is, or whether your name is tied to the Good ol' boys network.
Impress me with your character, your work ethic, your social skills, your morals, your heart, and by what you do, not what you say. Impress me with how you have really helped the needy, not just by how much money you give them.
Impress me - don't insult me.
I would like to know more of the history of the Tulsa Mayoral Candidates, besides the usual "political" bios. Any more in-depth histories of McCorkell and Taylor especially since I am not as familiar with them. Any takers?
I would like to know more details about the personal histories of the Democratic Mayoral candidates in Tulsa. Especially would like to know more about McCorkell and Taylor since I am not as familiar with these two candidates. Tired of reading the typical "political" bios of each. Any takers?
I know Kathy Taylor was divorced from first husband and has one daughter from that marriage. No other children from her marriage to Lobeck. I have no problem with blended families, but when you look on her website, her family picture is a bit misleading because the other adults and children in the photo are all her present husband's kids/grandkids. She is a step-mom/step-grandmother to those individuals, but no mention of this personal tidbit anywhere.
I don't know a thing about McCorkell except his political career, but will delve in to find out more.
I have absolutely no problem with a candidate having money. Unfortunately, money and power are integral parts of the U.S. electoral process. So, I agree with the previous post of giving someone a break if they have money and run for an office. But what I do have a problem with is for very wealthy people to have commercials, print ads, etc. that make them look like they are "commoners." For instance, Kathy Taylor's television commercial that is running right now shows her getting out of a awful car, showing how her jalopy broke down on the first day of work. How she picked herself up by the bootstraps, was a single mom, blah, blah , blah. But what she fails to mention is that for the past 18 years or so, that scene has nothing to do with her adult life. So (sarcasm here), why not have a commercial that says, Yes, I struggled a long time ago, made my way to the top through hard work and marrying an extremely wealthy man, and now live in a 20,000+ square foot mansion, have our own private jet, spend money like it's going out of style, and even fly the Beach Boys in for my birthday (heard that tidbit recently). Now there's the American dream at its finest. I just don't trust politicians and their ads...I just wish they would not pretend to be something they are not. This does not just go to Kathy Taylor, but to most politicos. Enough said.
I don't think that Kathy Taylor should be ridiculed for having money, a private jet, the Beach Boys for her birthday, etc... If you grew up like she did, wouldn't you want those things too? Who doesn't? Just because she HAS things doesn't make her any less capable of being an awesome mayor for Tulsa. Like a previous poster said, who do you know who's poor and running for office?
And as for her "blended" family, those people in the picture with her are her family, blended or not. She shouldn't have to disclose who is who to the public. It's a total insult to her that you would suggest she should seperate her children from her step-children. She has a loving and supportive family. Isn't that all that matters?
I commend those who have worked hard and made their way up the social ladder - ONLY IF - they don't ever forget the common person who helped PUT them there.
Unfortunately, it is difficult for the rich to continue to relate to the common person as the financial distance creates a conflict of interest between the haves and have nots.
Sort of unrelated but - One of my favorite people was so wealthy he started an airline, a record producing company, owned several islands and yet you would still see this person shopping the mall in a plain t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops, no rolex or fancy jewelry to speak of, and then drive away in an older model 4-runner. Now THAT's class.
I think that every single candidate that runs for office, from Mayor to President, should be required to campaign on a SET budget. They should be given an equal alloted amount of time on public radio and TV to disperse their campaign issues. ANY donations (otherwise known as bribes these days) should be strictly anonymous, and acceptable and payable only as a lump sum up to a fixed dollar amount per candidate. Period. Nothing more nothing less. WHY do they need to know who gave money to them?
It is time to take MONEY out of politics and to give equal opportunity for all to take part in civic duties.
Further to that - Kathy is active with the American Bar Association? Is it true they are getting ready to file a civil rights suit against the Bush Admin for the secret surveillance issues? Sounds a lot like the "I'llsueyou" - otherwise known as the ACLU.
We have enough lawyers running this country don't we?
No, we don't have enough good and honest lawyers running this country. Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer who held the trust and interest of the citizenry as number one. What we are lacking are good, just and honest lawyers without glowing red rings around their necks who will strive for an inclusive America for all of God's little Childern in accordance with the U.S. Constitution.
Someone and/or someone's family is going to end up wealthy, it is the laws of Collusion-World- Capitalism...I accept that; however I want to be paid equitably for being the means to the Capitalist's Financial Ends (i.e. Wal-Mart Wages vs. General Motor Wages) and have access to the same opportunties to become rich.
Robber Baron, Good Old Boys do not believe in any kind of level playing field, even though they have the bigger bats. Take a good look around Tulsa and then go to your nearest library and check out books on the Fall of the Roman Empire and the French Revolution and STUDY them.
By the tone and tenor of your hyped editoral sounds like we need to call up the reck-neck fire specialist, your neck may be on fire.
This Country and City is dire need of Positive Change for all of its citizens. I am ready to give Ms. Taylor the chance to make a real POSITIVE difference in the lives of all Tulsans!
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