Education


This year our Expo offers three educational sessions to provide insight and helpful tips on how to navigate and adjust your business strategy to benefit you in this ever changing world! See below for more information on the sessions and presenters.  

Session 1
Alcohol To Go: Get the Facts From the Experts - August 19 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
On August 25, Oklahoma will have new alcohol laws go into affect. Get the facts and everything you need to know from our panel of experts at the ORA Expo! This is your opportunity to ask questions about the new alcohol laws and hear from industry professionals before the laws go into effect on August 25! 

Our panelists include: 
  • Steven Barker - Deputy Director and General Counsel for the ABLE Commission
  • Adam Marshall - Barrow & Grimm Law Firm - ORA Legal Resource Center
  • Collin Graham - Oklahoma Restaurant Association Director of Membership           
Steven Barker - Deputy Director and General Counsel for the ABLE Commission
Steven Barker is the Deputy Director and General Counsel of the ABLE Commission, and has served the Commission since 2015.  Following two years in private practice, Mr. Barker began his public service career as an Assistant General Counsel for the Oklahoma Tax Commission supervising a team of attorneys focused on the collection of sales, mixed beverage, and withholding taxes.  Immediately prior to joining the ABLE Commission, Barker served as an Assistant Attorney General under E. Scott Pruitt providing legal counsel to a variety of state agencies.  Steven and his wife Shauna reside in Edmond, Oklahoma with their three children.

Adam Marshall -  Barrow & Grimm Law Firm - ORA Legal Resource Center
Adam Marshall’s law practice focuses primarily on business law with specific emphasis on state alcoholic beverage licensing and compliance, federal and state brewery licensing and compliance, business associations and transactions, private offerings, start-up counseling, tribal business transactions, and estate planning.  Adam received his Juris Doctor (with distinction) and Master of Business Administration in May of 2003 from the University of Oklahoma.

In addition to his law practice, Adam is a co-founder of Marshall Brewing Company in Tulsa. Marshall Brewing Company is a production craft microbrewery which distributes craft beer in Oklahoma and surrounding states. In 2007 and 2008, Adam oversaw all the legal matters and many of the business planning aspects of the brewery’s start-up including entity formation, capitalization through a private offering, state and federal licensing, and commencement of manufacturing operations. He was also heavily involved on behalf of Marshall Brewing Company and the Craft Brewers Association of Oklahoma with the legislative efforts that ultimately modernized Oklahoma’s alcohol laws for Oklahoma’s craft brewing industry.  Adam currently serves as Marshall Brewing Company’s Vice President and General Counsel dealing largely with state and federal regulatory compliance and strategic business planning.  

Collin Graham - Oklahoma Restaurant Association Director of Membership
Collin is the Director of Membership for the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association. His primary responsibilities include new member recruitment, retention, hospitality industry research, and helping members through the challenges of opening and operating a foodservice business. In addition, Collin is also a "ServSafe" certified food safety instructor and teaches ABLE certified "ACE" alcohol compliance classes.



Session 2
New Kids on the Block: How Generation Z Can Take Your Organization to the Next Level - August 19 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
By Bill Fournet, CEO and Founder of the Persimmon Group - This session is presented by  
 
Bill Fournet - CEO and Founder of the Persimmon Group
In 2004, on the heels of years of leadership experience in companies that included AT&T, IBM, and MTV Networks, Bill Fournet founded the award-winning management consulting firm, The Persimmon Group. Believing that “corporate” life could be full of passionate and engaged people, he established a unique business philosophy and culture at the Tulsa-based company, which was honored as a two-time recipient of the Blue Ribbon Award for being one of the leading small businesses in America by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  Persimmon has also been on the Inc. 500/5000 list for the U.S. Fastest Growing Companies and received many other business accolades, including Families and Work Institute’s Effective and Flexible Workplace Award. Bill has also been a multi-nominee for “Most Admired CEO” in Oklahoma.

A proponent of diverse and forward-thinking leadership, Bill is a Society of Fellows member of The Aspen Institute, a global nonprofit organization that drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world.

He currently serves as Member, Executive Board of Directors – Boy Scouts of America Indian Nations Council; District Chair for Tulsa Scouting, and Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 26. Bill also currently serves as Chairperson for Growing Together, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to ending the cycle of poverty through building vibrant, engaged communities within impoverished neighborhoods. He also is Committee Chair for STEAM Post 26, a FIRST Robotics program providing incredible STEM-related opportunities to local youth.

A military and history buff, Bill earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s Degree in History from Oklahoma State University. He and his wife, Christy, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma and have three sons.


Session 3
HospitAbilities - Seeking Employment Solutions by Employing Individuals of All Abilities - August 19 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Learn about the hospitality certification program that can support your labor shortage issues. HospitAbilities helps support the future of our industry and provides rewarding experiences at all levels of your organization.
Presenters Include:   
  • Jeffrey Hendrickson, PC, Attorney with Pierce Couch Hendrickson Baysinger & Green, LLP
  • Kari Bailey, Instructor of Service Careers, Francis Tuttle Technology Center
  • David Davis, PhD, CHA, CHE, CHIA, VP of Operations, New Century Hotels
  • Jessica Dark, Attorney with Pierce Couch Hendrickson Baysinger & Green, LLP


Speaker bios and pictures coming soon!