OKC Friday okcfriday.com • facebook.com/okcfriday Vol. 59, No. 37
People you should know
January 23, 2026
1 Section • 14 Pages
OKCityan of the Year
Gilliland builds better futures through affordable homeownership KERRY TRAMEL President Lady Americana Do you have a favorite childhood memory? I grew up in Norman, a mile from Owen Field. My father was the first in his family to graduate from college. OU was special, and nothing was more special than attending games with my father and two brothers. Irreplaceable times! What’s the one thing you are deeply passionate about? Exceptional products. I have been fortunate to be in a position to design mattresses for over 25 years. Being able to bring great options to our Mathis Home and Mathis Sleep customers across all price points has always been a thrilling proposition. The mattress industry is an extremely competitive market space, and I am immensely proud that both our value propositions and the quality of our products are best in class. What does a perfect day look like? Any day I get to spend with my wife and two sons is special. Spending all day with my wife and two sons at the lake is an even more perfect day! See PYSK, Page 7
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ANN FELTON GILLILAND
Chairman & CEO Central OK Habitat for Humanity
OKC FRIDAY named Ann Felton Gilliland, who has dedicated decades to affordable housing and community development in central Oklahoma, as its OKCityan of the Year for her exceptional leadership as Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity chairman and CEO. Felton Gilliland has spent more than 36 years helping shape the future of affordable housing across the Oklahoma City metro, pairing long-term vision inspired by faith with steady, disciplined leadership that continues to transform neighborhoods and strengthen families throughout the region. Under Gilliland’s leadership, Central Oklahoma Habitat has built 1,155 new homes since 1990, helping to provide long-term housing stability and an improved quality of life for thousands of Oklahoma City families — and creating generational opportunities through homeownership. Her work for Habitat spans several programs: New home construction of energyefficient homes; and critical home repair which has helped over 800 low-income homeowners improve and weatherize their homes. The organization also operates two ReStores and has launched Cornerstone Creek, a new affordable housing development. These initiatives continue to strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunity throughout Central Oklahoma. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and other civic leaders were featured in a video
For former OKCityans, see Page 3
Herzel lauded for service to Nichols Hills Larry Herzel was presented a Proclamation from the City of Nichols Hills by Mayor Steve Goetzinger, and Councilman Colin FitzSimons recognizing his many years of service to the city. Herzel is a principal architect with HSE Architects and has served on the Nichols Hills Board of Adjustment, Building Commission and the Building Code Committee
See OKCityan, Page 2
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week
Standley Bear Paden Sargeant is the newest member of Marion Paden and Rowell Sargeant’s family. He is both nice and naughty and sweet and willful. Email Pet of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.
See HERZEL, Page 11
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