OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 47 • Three Sections • 34 pages • April 21, 2023
$1 per copy
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens and Gaillardia for 48 years
OKC’s MOST POWERFUL YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
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J.D. BAKER Platform Manager Cortado Ventures
CLAY TAYLOR Lobbyist The Taylor Group
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TRAVIS MASON Director Cushman and Wakefield
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COLLINS PECK Project Manager Lingo Construction
Baker soars to No. 1 By Rose Lane Editor
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ADAM RAINBOLT Senior VP BancFirst Insurance
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GRAHAM COLTON Musician, Partner Social Order
Young Professionals:
Lead where you are planted Editors note: This article is reprinted from the May 1, 2020 issue of OKC FRIDAY, our first Most Powerful Young Professionals edition. The advice of these community leaders remains relevant today. By Rose Lane Editor As we honor the 50 Most Powerful Young Professionals in OKC, we asked a group of successful
leaders to offer some advice to the next generation. Marnie Taylor President and CEO OK Center for Nonprofits There is an old saying “bloom where you are planted.” As someone who has been planted in many cities, many organizations and given many opportunities, I have come to believe that the See LEAD, Page C1
Only one vote each separated the top three spots, with a tie for the third position, in OKC FRIDAY’s fourth annual ranking of the Most Powerful Young Professionals in OKC. Just 28-years-old, J.D. Baker, platform manager with Cortado Ventures, soared to No. 1 in this year’s poll from No. 6 in 2022. He landed at No. 5 in our first two surveys in 2020 and 2021. He is a sixth-generation Oklahoman who graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelors degree in public relations. Baker was recognized by the Oklahoma Education Association for his advocacy in mental health, disability con-
cerns and LGBTQ+ issues. Baker also received the Clara Luper Department of African and AfricanAmerican Studies Leadership Award. Formerly the special assistant to OKC Mayor David Holt, Baker served as the liaison to the LGBTQ+ community for the Mayor’s Office. Baker is the chairman of the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for the Oklahoma City Public Schools, a board member of the Regional Food Bank and chairman-elect of the Oklahoma City Black Chamber of Commerce. He is also the current vice president of the Oklahoma Historical Cultural Office and serves as the regional chairman of See MPYP, Page 2
FRIDAY’s
Rescue Dog of the Week Buster is an all-star pup! Ready to go on walks, rides or sit by your side watching the game. Buster will change his team for you too! He is friendly, well mannered and an all-around great dog. Buster is male, Brindle mix, about 55 pounds and 1-2-years old. Buster is dog friendly, fixed and up to date on all shots and not to mention, quite handsome! Come by and meet Buster! To set up a meet and greet time, call Kadin Keenom at (405) 751-9518. Buster and all of our dogs are fully vetted and ready for adoption or to be fostered. Follow us on Facebook: The Village Animal Welfare.