Michael Alan Southard, AICP 

Education:

Master of Regional and City Planning with emphasis on Community and Economic Development from the
University of Oklahoma in 1993

Thesis titled, “Marketing Communities for Economic Development”

Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs and Administration from OU in 1991

Experience:  Mike came to Ada after spending over 10 years leading the community development efforts in Shawnee and Muskogee and 3 years as a city planner in Oklahoma City. He led efforts to enhance community appearance and pioneered revitalization processes to remove dilapidated structures and breathe life into deteriorating neighborhoods and business districts. Under Mike’s direction, Shawnee adopted the first rehab code in Oklahoma and Muskogee passed the first modern manufactured housing code in the state. Through these entrepreneurial efforts, Shawnee has seen around $15 million in reinvestment. He was instrumental in the neighborhood revitalization efforts that have culminated in over 200 new houses built on infill lots in the two communities. Mike has served on various boards and committees over his career ranging from Habitat for Humanity to the local chamber. He has shared his knowledge across the state on topics such as community image, visioning and design. Mike is not only a leader in Oklahoma but nationally where he served as the Region 3 Commissioner on the governing board for certified planners, American Institute of Certified Planners.

Mike is a member of the American Planning Association, American Institute of Certified Planners, International Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, Oklahoma Professionals Economic Development Council and the Governor’s Economic Development Team.

  

Ann Marie Miller

Ann Marie Miller is the Manager of Marketing and Research for the Ada Jobs Foundation, a non-profit foundation with a mission to create and retain quality jobs for the Ada area.  The foundation works under contract for the City of Ada to carry out Ada’s economic development program.   Miller has been with the Ada Jobs Foundation since July 2005.  

   Miller is a 2005 graduate of the William S. Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University (OSU).  Miller graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing.   Miller attended OSU on an Oklahoma State Regents Scholarship and completed her degree in three years. 

   At OSU, Miller was an active member and officer of Alpha Beta Chi (Army Blades), a service sorority dedicated to serving the Army ROTC program at OSU and providing community service to local non-profit organizations. Miller was also a member of Phi Kappa Phi, a national Honor Society.

   Prior to joining the Ada Jobs Foundation, Miller worked as a Marketing Assistant for the Student Union Activities Board at OSU. She developed marketing materials for over 500 annual events conducted by the Student Union Activities Board.  While attending OSU, Mrs. Miller also conducted research for a variety of businesses and non-profit organizations and assisted in the development of their marketing plans.  Miller has expertise in multiple graphic design software programs.  

   Miller is a native Oklahoman. She was valedictorian of the 2002 graduating class of Deer Creek High School in Edmond. She enjoys watching and participating in sports and is an avid photographer.  Ann married Mr. Benjamin Miller in July 2006. Ben is  the Hard Drive Assembly Coordinator, at EDGE Tech Corp. in Ada, Oklahoma.