Brinkley
The pre-banquet social hour will start at 6 p.m. and the banquet will begin at 7 p.m. The event will be held in the new People Inc. Conference Center on J.T. Stites Avenue. The meal will be catered by Charlie’s Chicken and served by Sallisaw Future Farmers of America (FFA) members and the New Opportunities Working (NOW) Coalition students.
The theme of this year’s banquet will be “A New Day Rising,” to indicate that community members want to focus on a new year in the economy and community.
Judy Martens, chamber executive director, said, “We feel that everyone is tired of hearing all the gloom and doom of 2009 and is ready to move forward.
“Our speaker, Rick Brinkley, is a very dynamic, motivational speaker who can set the tone for our new decade within the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce,” Martens said.
Brinkley, a former Emmy-nominated producer of the Sally Jessy Raphael Show in New York City, currently travels throughout the nation as a speaker, conference leader, and lecturer. His television career has included being a consumer reporter, investigative producer, talk show producer, writer, and on-air personality. With a master’s degree in counseling, Brinkley has also served as a motivational and communications consultant to national titleholders, politicians, news anchors, and champion athletes. He serves as a leader in communications and personal impact for corporations, non-profits, and educators. In addition, Brinkley was asked to serve on the Emmy awards judges’ panel for nine years. He is also the author of “Communicate To Win,” which sold internationally.
Brinkley has a bachelor of arts degree from Langston University and a master’s degree from the Oral Roberts University School of Theology and Missions in Tulsa. For almost 10 years, Brinkley served on the staff of The Community Church in Collinsville, and for five of those years he was senior pastor and now preaches throughout North America. He serves on the associate board of Oasis Adult Day Care Facility as well as the boards of Theater Arts Productions, The Petroleum Club of Tulsa and the National Board of Directors of the Council of Better Business Bureaus
Currently, Brinkley is president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Oklahoma and he has served as the national judging consultant for the Miss America Organization since December 2004.
However, he said his greatest achievements are his son, John, and his 11-year-old grandson, Cristian.
Martens said tickets for the banquet will go on sale Monday, and are $25 per person, or corporate tables, which seat six, may be purchased for $200.
Rhoda Wilson and Mike Hightower will provide dinner music, and several unique and special awards will be given away at the banquet, along with the Sallisaw Chamber Member of the Year award.
“Seating space will be very limited this year, so if you plan to attend or purchase a corporate table, please do so as soon as possible,” Martens said.
To purchase tickets contact the chamber office at 775-2558.
