Creativity Ambassadors
Creativity Ambassadors are Oklahomans receiving this distinction from the Governor of Oklahoma and Creative Oklahoma for their national and international creative and innovative contributions and represent a wide range of disciplines. The Ambassadors receive the Creativity Ambassador title and medallion from the Governor in a gala ceremony associated with the State of Creativity Forum.
Ambassadors have agreed to serve as representatives of the State of Oklahoma to further Creative Oklahoma’s mission to establish Oklahoma as a world-renowned center of creativity and innovation. Ambassadors also share their ideas on creativity and innovation helping to advance “The State of Creativity” campaign. Their contributions include public service announcements, performances, speaking opportunities, and sharing their knowledge and expertise.
Oklahoma is indeed fortunate to have so many accomplished individuals throughout the world making creative contributions in such varied fields as aerospace to the music industry. We are honored that these Oklahomans give of their time and talent to make a difference and are committed to advancing creativity and innovation in Oklahoma and wherever they may be.
Chair: Bart Conner, Olympian, CEO, Perfect 10 Productions
Current Creativity Ambassadors
Suzy Amis-Cameron
Founder, MUSE School and former actress, Titanic, Twister, and The Usual Suspects
Elvin Bishop
Blues, rock and roll recording artist
www.elvinbishopmusic.com
Byron Berline
Three-time National Fiddle Champion and session musician with The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson and others
doublestop.com
David Boren
President, University of Oklahoma and Former Governor, State of Oklahoma & United States Senator
Chad Burris
Movie producer, Oklahoma Territory Film Council President and Director of Yuwita, a non-profit organization
Lee Cockerell
Retired former Executive Vice President of Operations, Walt Disney World Resort and board of trustees member, the Culinary Institute of America
www.leecockerell.com
Graham Colton
American pop singer-songwriter with his hit song “Best Days” appearing on American Idol and Kyle XY.
grahamcolton.com
Nadia Comaneci
Nine-time Olympic gold medalist; founder, International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
bartandnadia.com
Wayne Coyne
Grammy Award winning rock musician, singer, guitarist, and songwriter for The Flaming Lips
www.flaminglips.com
Kyle Dillingham
The Ambassador in Residence for the University of Central Oklahoma, also the Ambassador for the Oklahoma City University and for the University’s Centre for Global Competency.
www.horseshoeroad.net
Dayna Dunbar
Oklahoma Author and motivational speaker
www.daynadunbar.com
Gray Frederickson
Oscar winning movie producer – The Godfather, Part II and Apocalypse Now
Hanson
Three brothers, Isaac, Taylor and Zac, natives of Tulsa; launched their own independent record company in 2003, 3CG Records, with millions of records sold.
www.hanson.net
Sterlin Harjo
Film maker, script writer & director – Goodnight Irene & Four Sheets to the Wind
Benjamin Harjo, Jr.
Leading American Indian visual artist, Seminole-Shawnee tribe; 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award, NAASA
www.benjaminharjojr.com
John Herrington
Former NASA astronaut & US Naval Commander; First Native American in Space
www.rocketrek.com
Mat Hoffman
Six time X-Games medalist winner and 2002 ESPN Action Sports Lifetime Achievement Award
mathoffman.com
Wanda Jackson
Country and rockabilly musician and 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
wandajackson.com
Junie Lowry-Johnson
Emmy award-winning casting director – True Blood, Desperate Housewives, Big Love, NYPD Blue, and Prison Break
Toby Keith
Country musician and actor receiving four AMA Awards, five Billboard awards and two CMA awards; named 2004 Oklahoman of the Year
www.tobykeith.com
Erik Logan
President, Harpo Productions and board member, The Oprah Winfrey Network
Dick Lowry
Director, NYPD Blue, Crossing Jordan and director and/or producer of 60+ movies and mini-series for network and cable television including several Hallmark Hall of Fame movies
Hunt Lowry
Film Producer – A Walk to Remember, Last of the Mohicans and A Time to Kill
Ben May
Business Development Director, Epcot, Walt Disney World
Leona Mitchell
Operatic soprano vocalist receiving a Grammy for her role as Bess in Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess, London Records; and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee
Sandi Patty
Christian artist receiving 39 Dove awards and five Grammys and Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee
www.sandipatty.com
Thomas Stafford
NASA astronaut and Commander, Apollo 10; Retired, U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General
Dr. Jordan Tang
Medical researcher, Oklahoma Medical Reseach Foundation, discovered an important key in Alzheimer’s disease treatment
Jerod Tate
Composer and award-winning Native American musician, Chickasaw
www.jerodtate.com
Allan Vest
Composer, producer, and creative force behind the orchestral pop band, Starlight Mints
Michael Wallis
Award-winning Reporter and Best-selling Author – Route 66: the Mother Road, Oil Man the Story of Frank Phillips & The Birth of Phillips Petroleum
www.michaelwallis.com
Jimmy Webb
Composer and musician and only artist to receive Grammys for music, lyrics, and orchestration; chairman, Songwriters Hall of Fame
jimmywebb.com/
Mike Wimmer
Illustrator and painter with 23 works of Oklahoma history on display at the Oklahoma State Capitol
www.mikewimmer.com
2012 Creativity Ambassadors
Jesse Tabish
Lead vocalist for the new-wave orchestra band Other Lives
Jane Jayroe Gamble
Author, television personality, and 1967 Miss America
Desmond Mason
Artist and retired NBA athlete
Rich Taylor
Emmy award winning producer, past vice president of Disney Entertainment and Costuming, current Dean of the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts
Sir Ken Robinson
The national adviser for Creative Oklahoma was named a Creative Ambassador for his work on Oklahoma’s behalf by Governor Mary Fallin. Sir Ken is the founding adviser for Creative Oklahoma and an internationally recognized leader in the development of education, creativity, and innovation.
