Paul Strasbaugh - IEDC Robin Roberts Krieger Chairmans Award

It is the pleasure of the chair of IEDC to recognize the excellence of an individual who has shown long-standing, exemplary commitment to economic development over his or her career. The 2008 recipient of the Chairmans Award is Paul Strasbaugh, General Manager of the Oklahoma Industries Authority in Oklahoma City.

Since 1946, Paul has had an impressive record as a leader in economic development for Oklahoma City. His tenure of more than 60 years is marked by a 36-year period during which he operated a highly successful industrial recruiting program combined with work on several public trusts that have financed more than 200 projects valued in excess of $1.5 billion.

Paul's industrial recruiting program established a manufacturing base that employed thousands of Oklahomans for many years. General Motors, Bridgestone/Firestone, Western Electric, Hertz, Xerox and York International are just a few of the significant employers that chose to invest in Oklahoma City during his tenure. Strasbaugh was also a leader in facilitating the expansion of Tinker Air Force Base and the establishment of the FAAs Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. These two federal installations continue to employ more than 30,000 people today.

While his work in industrial recruitment is legendary in Oklahoma City, he has also been a leader in downtown development, urban renewal programs and in managing both city and statewide issue campaigns to create public support for significant infrastructure programs.

Paul organized the Oklahoma City Economic Development Foundation in 1982 to celebrate the Bicentennial of the land run of 1889 that settled the Oklahoma City region and secured the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival as part of that celebration. Today, the Foundation continues under the operation of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, carrying out economic development initiatives for the city.

Paul is currently General Manager of Oklahoma Industries Authority and Oklahoma City Industrial and Cultural Facilities Trust, two public trusts that issue revenue bonds to finance industrial, health care and educational projects. He currently administers more than $500 million of trust funds.

At ninety-one years of age, Pauls commitment to the economic development of Oklahoma City has not waned. He works every day and his passion for his work is clearly evident to his colleagues and friends.

These accomplishments are the results of a career spanning over 60 years. Because of his tremendous, life-long work in economic development, Paul has earned the respect and admiration of his peers as a true example of someone who displays commitment to economic development.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

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• IEDC
• Robin Roberts Krieger
• reception dinner
• Award
• Paul Strasbaugh
• Oklahoma City