
THURSDAY | 9 APRIL, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
MOORE NORMAN TECHNOLOGY CENTER - SOUTH PENN CAMPUS
13301 S PENNSYLVANIA AVE. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73170
We are delighted to celebrate our distinguished 2025 award winners and provide attendees with insightful industry best practices, featuring engaging speakers.
Doors open at 8:15 am.
Lunch will be provided.

Heather Turner
Department of Commerce
Heather Turner is an Oklahoma native and respected business and community leader known for building organizations, developing talent, and driving economic and community growth. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa, an MBA, and a graduate certification in Nonprofit Management from Oklahoma State University. A certified John Maxwell Leadership speaker, coach, & trainer, Heather is the author of "DreamTraders" book and curriculum, reflecting her commitment to education and empowerment.
As founder of Anthem Road Academy School of Music, Heather scaled her business to four thriving Oklahoma locations. As former President and CEO of the Jenks Chamber of Commerce, she led efforts in economic and community development at the city level. Appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt, Heather serves as Deputy CEO of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Executive Director of CORE, leading efforts in regional and rural economic development, community development, entrepreneurship, small business, Oklahoma Film and Music and Main Street development.
More Speakers Coming Soon
More Speakers Coming Soon

Bill Blankenship
Football Coach
Coach Bill Blankenship brings more than four decades of leadership and championship performance to the Journey to Excellence. Over a 41-year coaching career, including 31 years as a high school head coach, he built high-performing programs at Eastwood Christian, Spiro, Edmond Memorial, Union, Fayetteville (AR), and Owasso- earning six state championships and compiling a remarkable 296–90 record. He later served as Head Coach at the University of Tulsa, where his team won a Conference Championship, the Liberty Bowl, and appeared in the Armed Forces Bowl, after earlier collegiate assistant coaching roles at Tulsa and Memphis that included multiple bowl appearances. A native of Spiro, Oklahoma, Blankenship graduated from Spiro High School and was a University of Tulsa football letterman. Throughout his career, he has been known for building disciplined systems, developing leaders, and creating cultures where teams pursue excellence together. Those who have worked with him know he has a rare ability to encourage excellence with only a few words-clarifying the standard, inspiring the effort, and helping people rise to their best. Coach Blankenship and his wife Angie, married since 1978, have three sons, three daughters-in-law, and thirteen grandchildren.

2026 Excellence Summit
April 9th 2026
- 8:15 - 9:00
- Registration
- 9:00 - 10:00
- Welcome & Opening Comments
- 10:15 - 10:45
- Award Presentation
- 10:45 - 11:30
- Keynote Speaker
- 11:30 - 1:00
- Lunch & Networking
- 1:00 - 1:30
- Best Practices
- 1:30 - 2:00
- Best Practices
- 2:10 - 2:40
- Examiner Panel
- 2:40 - 3:10
- Examiner Recognition
- 3:10 - 3:40
- Power of the Journey
- 3:40 - 4:00
- Closing Comments
