Michael Doublehead has served in a municipal utility capacity for the communities of Stilwell, Pryor and Tahlequah either as a utility board member, an assistant general manager or a general manager for the past twenty-five years. In 2010, the American Public Power Association (APPA) awarded him with the Larry Hobart 7 Hats Award signifying his excellent leadership in Accounting, Administration, Community Leadership, Field Supervision, Human Resources, Planning & Design and Public Relations. During his service to his communities, his focus and commitment has never wavered as it is always about what’s best for the customer and those he works with. His professionalism, character and actions set an example for all who have the privilege to work with him.
He served as President, Vice President and Secretary of the Grand River Dam Authority Customer Group beginning in 2002 to the present. The focus of this group is to advocate for all GRDA Wholesale Customers. Since 2007 he has served Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma – MESO and the Oklahoma Municipal Utility Services Authority as President, Vice President, Secretary and board member - both entities focus on job safety training for all municipal employees.
He has had a great deal of involvement with the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce, Tahlequah Regional Development Authority, Adair County Rural Water District, Cherokee Nation Industries, and the United Way. He is a dedicated and proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation where he serves his tribal nation as a Commissioner on the Cherokee Nation Tax Commission. His work and leadership within the Cherokee Nation has had a profound impact on educational services, health care, rural community fire and police departments and economic development throughout the 22 county Cherokee Nation boundaries.
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While a Kansan by birth, our first inductee this evening has probably traveled Oklahoma more extensively than most natives. The travel came as he labored to mentor, tutor, motivate, and challenge for the best in local government performance and practice. As State Director of the Oklahoma Commission for Training Municipal Clerks and Treasurers, he traversed the state for 19 years to conduct training for over 1,000 clerks, treasurers, and deputies, annually. Ernest R. Dirks distinguished himself in his unfailing devotion to bringing a high degree of professionalism among these essential municipal officers.
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