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Phillip Johnston

Acceptance Speech

Phil has been committed to providing safe, reliable public power throughout his distinguished career spanning 50 years. Phil began his career as Operations Engineer to the Director of Operations at Kay Electric Cooperative in 1972. Phil was the engineer when the Kaw Lake building project was completed and a large portion of the system in that area was rebuilt. Phil's efforts led to system improvements with the implementation of the MilSoft distribution analyzing software and digital mapping of the Kay Electric Cooperative system.

Throughout Phil's 27 years of service with Ponca City Energy, he has continued to plan, promote, and develop both system improvements and staff development. Under his guidance, Ponca City Energy instituted a proactive vegetation management program to limit the impact of tree growth during storms, led the City's efforts to become the first Oklahoma municipality to convert to automated metering for both electric and water systems, and enhanced service and reliability through dedicated maintenance programs and substation and distribution system improvements.

He was presented the 2021 Pruett-Lamb Lifetime Achievement Award by the Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma. This award is presented to individuals committed to public power and the success of public power communities in Oklahoma.  The Oklahoma Municipal League named him to the Honor Roll of Service recognizing him for 25 years of honorable service to municipal government.

He has served on the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority Competitive Utilities Program
Committee as both a member and the chairman; since 2010 he has served on the Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma Board of Directors; and was president in 1990 of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives.

Locally Phil has served with the Ponca City Tippers Club and ln the Cherokee Strip Credit Union Board.

Phil and his wife Sharon are proud parents of three sons, grandparents to eight grandchildren and great-grandparents to six great-grandchildren.

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JDeborah Miner2022
Robert Burns Johnston

When the person nominating Robert Johnston for the Hall of Fame was asked to describe what may distinguish him from others holding similar positions that person wrote, “Leadership in statewide policy and advisory organizations”. And that has indeed been a hallmark of his career. Robert has consistently provided leadership to make lives safer and especially to make government services more reliable. This has been true in all facets of his life, whether at work, in civic endeavors, or at church; which is why current Frederick Mayor Eddie Whitworth describes Robert as “a real community man”. And, he will always make you feel welcome, even if you are just passing through from Arkansas to New Mexico.

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Jerry Johnston

In 1983, when the small town of Braman received their first grant to build a sewer lagoon; they needed someone with time, energy, and patience to administer the program. These qualities became even more critical when the general contractor absconded with the first $90,000 project payment. Chosen as project manager was Jerry Johnston. Very shortly, he also became Mayor.

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