Susan Savage

Susan Savage had a remarkable career of progressive advancement in municipal government before being appointed, in January 2003, to her current position as Oklahoma Secretary of State. Her municipal service began in 1974, when she became a pre-trial representative for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas after graduation from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Mary Susan Savage's career eventually led to becoming the first woman to serve as Mayor of Tulsa, a position she held for almost 10 years, the longest tenure of any mayor of that city.

SMatthew BurlesonMay 7, 20202005

Jessie Nelson

Jessie James Nelson, known to most as "Jess", served on the Guymon City Council for 28 years, the last 14 as Mayor, ending in 2005 when he did not seek re-election. During his service, he distinguished himself state-wide for performing, as Representative Gus Blackwell describes it, "yeoman work in representing and furthering rural issues for small cities"- no easy task given the driving distance from Guymon to other parts of the state.

NMatthew BurlesonMay 7, 20202005

Harold Pumford

For awards and recognitions, Mr. Pumford was presented with the Employee Relations Achievement Award of 1985 by the Oklahoma Public Personnel Association. In 1969 he was one of the candidates for Three Outstanding Young Oklahomans and, in 1992, the Pooling Section of Public Risk Management Association presented him with their Meritorious Achievement Award. And, he received the Distinguished Service Award of 1969 from the Jaycees of Ponca City and in 1978 from the Jaycees of Union City, Tennessee, and he was a delegate for the 1962 United Nations Pilgrimage.

PMatthew BurlesonMay 7, 20202005

Bertha Ann Young

As an employee of the city of Shawnee for 51 years, Bertha Ann Young achieved an unprecedented career of integrity, leadership, professional development, and support for the appointed and elected officers and employees involved in municipal government. She began employment with the city as a cashier in the water department at age 20 in August 1948 and retired as the City Treasurer/Finance Director in August 1999, after having advanced through the positions of Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk, and City Treasurer.

YMatthew BurlesonMay 7, 20202005