Staff - Oklahoma Restaurant Association

Staff

Oklahoma Restaurant Association
3800 N. Portland Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
(405) 942-8181
(800) 375-8181

	Jim Hopper President & CEO Key representative of industry views and interests before state legislative and regulatory agencies. Coordinates with officers, the board of directors, and contract lobbyists. Serves as industry spokesperson and coordinates with National Restaurant Association on federal issues and events. Also, serves as CEO of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association.
	Debra Bailey, CAE Deputy Director/Chief Financial Officer Responsible for the fiscal management of the association, directing staff activities, office operations, and communication with officers, directors, and contract lobbyists as needed. Debra also serves as CEO for the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association.
	Patti Colley , IOM, CMP Chief Strategy Officer Responsible for communicating the association’s mission and elevating its brand. Directs industry relations and Strategic Partnership Marketing initiatives, as well as communications, and community collaborations. Also directs association meetings and events. Patti also serves as Chief Strategy Officer of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association.
	Linda Etherton Director, ORA Expo Responsible for ORA Expo exhibitor relations, booth sales and logistics, as well as other various event-related responsibilities.
	Collin Graham Director, Membership Primary contact for the industry as it relates to member enrollment, retention, research, and discount program enrollment, as well as Alcohol Compliance Training and regulatory and operational research for members. Directs activities surrounding the development and management of membership preferred supplier and discount programs.
	Karlie Hart Manager, Communications & Marketing Initiates and manages all industry communications including the Oklahoma Restaurateur magazine, and all online communications including Ala Carte E-news and social media. Also manages web content, marketing, advertising and photography.
	Roberta Helsley Manager, Education Manages member educational experiences and speaker/facilitator considerations. Brings together industry with the classroom through student outreach and experiences including Oklahoma ProStart and HospitAbilities which foster careers in hospitality, culinary arts, and restaurant management.
	Sarai Maldonado Manager, Member Care Oversees member fulfillment including member and nonmember databases, dues billings and collection, retention programs, and endorsed partner relations.
	Theresa Martin / Lacey Pierson Manager, Meetings & Events Primary member contact for event registration. Manages association meetings and events. Also, manages ServSafe Food Safety enrollment.
	Elizabeth Sanchez Manager, Training & Accounting Responsible for accounts payables and receivables, as well as Alcohol Compliance and ServSafe certification and training programs.
	Julia Jernigan Smith Contract Lobbyist Represents industry issues at the state capitol and state agencies.
	Benny Vanatta Contract Lobbyist Represents industry issues at the state capitol and state agencies.

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Call us- 800.375.8181

What's Happening

Central Hospitality Job Fair

06.02.21

The Oklahoma Restaurant Association, the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, Moore/Norman Technology Center, Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Norman, HeartLine and United Way of Central Oklahoma will host the Central Oklahoma Hospitality Job Fair. The job fair is free to the public and will take place on Friday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Moore/Norman Technology Campus, South Penn Campus located at 13301 South Pennsylvania Ave. A wide variety of hospitality jobs will be available including hotel guest services, waitstaff, culinary, banquets, housekeeping, attractions, maintenance, operations and management positions. The only registration required is for employers to secure a table at the job fair.

Odyssey de Culinaire

05.13.21

Odyssey de Culinaire is a fundraising and awareness dinner to benefit the Oklahoma ProStart® Program. This ever-popular event, which is open to the public, features 2 great evenings of dining with many of Tulsa and Oklahoma City's finest chefs being featured in their home cities. Each of the five courses features a chef mentoring a culinary student to treat attendees to an incredible five-course dinner. Experience an energetic evening and make an impact on culinary education in Oklahoma! Join us for one or both Odyssey de Culinaires - the Oklahoma Restaurant Association's only event open to the public!

Culinary Cook-Off

06.07.21

The Culinary Cook-off is a cooking competition that takes place during the ORA Expo. Oklahoma's most talented chefs will race the clock to create dazzling dishes using a mystery basket of ingredients. Chefs will compete in various heats until the contest is narrowed down to the last two chefs. Judges will consist of a panel of industry professionals who will critique each competitor on plate presentation, creativity, product taste, and sanitation practices, among other things. For each contestant, the high and low scores will be discarded. Chefs will be competing for a trophy, medals, and cash prizes. Learn more by clicking the link! #CCO2021

Cocktail Shakedown

06.07.21

Support Oklahoma’s most talented bartenders as they compete for prizes in the Oklahoma Restaurant Association Cocktail Shakedown. This exciting competition takes place during the first day of the ORA Expo. Bartenders from all over the state will put their skills and abilities to the test as they compete to move through four timed rounds of cocktail preparations including the Championship Round. As each bartender lifts a shaker and creates his or her requisite signature concoction, they race the clock to create innovative and crazy delicious cocktails that will be judged on taste and balance, originality, drink presentation, and stage presentation. Each round reduces the number of talented competitors until the four finalists compete for the grand prize! Applications will be available soon.