The Oklahoma Academy has announced its 2026 Board of Directors officers and welcomed seven new members to its statewide board, strengthening the organization’s leadership with expertise spanning education, finance, energy, technology, law, and research.

Serving as Board Chair for 2026 is Lana Reynolds, President of Seminole State College. She is joined by Immediate Past Chair Darryl Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of BancFirst; Vice Chair Barry Koonce, Vice President and Chief Government Affairs Officer for American Fidelity Assurance Company; Treasurer and Secretary Mark Schell, President of Security State Bank of Oklahoma; and Investment Vice President David L. Nimmo, Consultant with Southfork Consulting.

The Academy also welcomed seven new members to its Board of Directors. New board members include Casey Bell, President and Regional Executive of BancFirst Shawnee; Jeff Boatman, Chief Technical Officer of DonorTrack in Tulsa; David Floyd, Partner at Floyd & Driver, PLLC in Norman; Nicki Fuller, General Manager and CEO of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives; Brian Gaddy, Assistant Superintendent and COO of Autry Technology Center in Enid; Jarrett Jobe, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; and Jennifer McGrail, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

“These leaders bring a remarkable depth of experience and a shared commitment to Oklahoma’s future,” said Julie Knutson, President and CEO of The Oklahoma Academy. “Our Board plays a critical role in guiding the Academy’s nonpartisan, citizen-driven work, and this group reflects the thoughtful, collaborative leadership needed to tackle complex challenges facing our state.”

Founded in 1967 by former Governor Henry Bellmon, The Oklahoma Academy is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy organization dedicated to strengthening civic engagement and building consensus through its annual Town Hall conferences and statewide initiatives.

About The Oklahoma Academy The Oklahoma Academy convenes citizens and leaders from across Oklahoma to study key public policy issues, develop consensus recommendations, and advance evidence-based solutions that support a stronger, more resilient state.

For more information, visit www.okacademy.org