EVENT DETAILS:

WHERE: First National  Center Ballroom (120 N Robinson Ave.)

WHEN: June 7, 2023  
Reception at 6PM
Dinner & Awards 7PM
After Party 9-10PM

ATTIRE: Black Tie

PARKING:  Complimentary Valet Parking

Three business and civic leaders are honored each year at the Dean A. McGee Awards hosted by DOKC. The ceremony is named after Dean A. McGee, an Oklahoma City business leader who chaired the Kerr–  McGee Corporation from 1963 to 1983 and led efforts to construct the Myriad Gardens. Dean A. McGee Wards will be held on  June 7, 2023 at the First National Center. The awards benefit Downtown Oklahoma City Initiatives, which funds public art and other downtown improvement projects. 

Tickets to the 36th Annual Dean A. McGee Awards have ended. Single tickets are $350 and new this year, Emerging Leaders (40 years of age and under) can purchase two tickets for $500. If interested in purchasing tickets to this event, call (405) 235-3500 or contact Phi Nguyen at phi@downtownokc.com. Sponsorship opportunities are available through Jones PR at (405) 516-9686.

2023 Honorees:
The 2023 Dean A. McGee Award will be awarded to Gary Brooks for his lifetime contributions to downtown. Wiley “Butch” Williams will receive the Stanley Draper Award for his efforts in community excellence, and Charlie Nicholas (posthumous) has earned the Neal Horton Award for his revitalization of downtown. Jane Jenkins will receive the President’s Award, a special recognition, for her 14 years in leading a downtown environment to live, work and play.

HONOREES OF THE DEAN A. McGEE AWARDS

Dean A. McGee Award

2022 – Rand Elliott
2021 – Cathy O’Connor
2019 – Chuck Wiggin
2018 – Meg Salyer
2017 – James D. Couch
2016 – Klay Kimker
2015 –  Frank D. Hill
2014 – Mick Cornett
2013 – Carl Edwards
2012 – John Michael Williams
2011 – Tom McDaniel
2010 – David Rainbolt
2009 – James A. Pickel
2008 – Herman Meinders
2007 – Cliff Hudson
2006 – Kirk Humphreys
2005 – Luke R. Corbett
2004 – Burns Hargis
2003 – Lee Allan Smith
2002 – J.  Edward Barth
2000 – Ray Ackerman
1999 – Dave R. Lopez
1998 – Robert M. Johnson
1997 – J. Larry Nichols
1995 – Jackie L. Jones
1994 – Ken Townsend
1993 – Ron Norick
1992 – Bill Johnstone
1991 – Fred Jones Hall
1990 – Clayton I. Bennett
1989 – James R. Tolbert
1988 – Stanton L. Young
1987 – J.W. “Bill” McLean
1986 – Dean A. McGee

Stanley Draper Award

2022 – Debi Martin
2021 – Nancy Anthony
2019 – Peter Dolese
2018 – Brent Bryant
2017 – Leslie V. Batchelor
2016 – Francy Palmer
2015 –  Mike Grady
2014 – Joel Levine
2013 – Roy Williams
2012 – Richard Sias
2011 – James Meade
2010 – Chet Collier and Thomas A. Hill
2009 – Catherine O’Connor
2008 – Zach Taylor (posthumously)
2007 – Paul Strasbaugh
2006 – Kari Watkins
2005 – Dan Batchelor
2004 – JoeVan Bullard
2003 – Carolyn Hill
2002 – James D. Couch

Neal Horton Award

2022 – Marva Ellard
2021 – Donald Beck
2019 – Stan Lingo
2018 – Ron Bradshaw
2017 – Mark Beffort
2016 – Mickey Clagg
2015 –  Judy Hatfield
2014 – Tom Ward
2013 – Chip Fudge
2012 – Steve Mason
2011 – St. Anthony
2010 – Bob Howard
2009 – Oklahoma Heritage Association
2008 – Mike Knopp
2007 – Avis Scaramucci
2006 – Laura Warriner
2005 – Meg Salyer
2004 – Randy Hogan
2003 – John Michael Williams
2002 – Scott Rodgers & Steve Utley

President’s Award

2014 – Steve Lackmeyer
2009 –  Jim D. Brewer