At its Annual Meeting and Inauguration event on Thursday, the Tulsa Regional Chamber inaugurated Jennifer Jezek, vice president and Oklahoma division manager of VSC Fire & Security, as the 2024 chair of its Board of Directors.

During the lunchtime event, witnessed by more than 1,200 people at the Cox Business Convention Center, Jezek outlined three keys to unlocking Tulsa’s full promise: education, engagement and equity.

“Unlocking Tulsa’s promise requires collective action,” she said. “Each one of us, as leaders and contributors to our community, holds a key to open doors of opportunity and progress. By focusing on education, engagement and equity, we can unlock the true potential of Tulsa and create a city that thrives for generations to come.”

Jezek grew up around a family business (York Electronic Systems) that she ultimately owned for a decade.

“…I learned the value of hard work,” Jezek said of the company, which was acquired last year by VSC Fire and Security. “I learned the importance of loyalty to those who work hard on your behalf. And I learned that you get out as much as you put in, so you’d better push yourself.

“…Mom and Dad, thank you for keeping the faith that a woman could lead a construction company successfully in a male dominated industry.  This couldn’t have happened without the support of my team, my family and some amazing colleagues who were willing to open doors and take chances on me.”

Jezek also announced a new Chamber signature event, the State of the Tribal Nations, which will provide the Cherokee, Muscogee and Osage tribes a platform to discuss their work on behalf of the region. The event is scheduled April 18 at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center.

Jezek succeeds 2023 Chair and Vast Bank Chairman Tom Biolchini, who reflected on regional successes and progress during the past year. Biolchini also presented awards to the Chamber’s most outstanding partners during 2023:

• Economic Development Partner of the Year: Garrett Wright and Public Service Company of Oklahoma
• Regional Tourism POTY: Brian Paschal and the Lobeck-Taylor Family Foundation
• Government Affairs POTY: IOT 3 campaign leadership – Gordy Guest, Cassie Reese Tipton and John Smaligo
• Community Development POTY: Brandon Oldham
• Resource Development POTY: Tina Parkhill
• Regional POTY: Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear and the Osage Nation
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Norton

“The Chamber could not function without the devotion of time and resources by our many partners across northeast Oklahoma,” said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “The annual Partner of the Year Awards are our way to publicly commend the people who have gone above and beyond to strengthen the Chamber’s initiatives during the past year. We salute every one of the honorees for their loyal support and investment in the Chamber and our region.”