Celebrating Oklahoma!

The amazing photographic collection, dubbed “Celebrating Oklahoma!", beautifully illustrates the strength and joy that define Oklahoma. Subjects include cities, small towns, farms, the state’s energy industry, our rich cultural heritage, schools, weather, landscapes, architecture, agriculture, people, water, festivals, daily life, commerce and historical sites. The year-long Survey will also capture many almost-forgotten treasures that are expected to vanish over the coming years, including wooden barns, bridges, one-of-a-kind shops and other fascinating curiosities within the State.

Through photo-based books, prints, exhibits and events, Celebrating Oklahoma! will promote the Centennial celebration today and continue to build the state’s mission and image in the future. A complete archive of contemporary images captured during this massive undertaking will be housed and displayed for public enjoyment at the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Four principals are behind this effort

The Survey is the brainchild of Enid native and longtime Oklahoma resident Mike Klemme, the Official Photographer of the Oklahoma Centennial. Considered the “Ansel Adams” of golf course, destination and architectural photography, Mike has traveled over four million miles to nearly 50 countries over a period of 25 years capturing the beauty of golf-related landscapes, destinations and people around the world.

One of the most widely published photographers in his field, Mike has contributed thousands of photographs to Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, USA Today, Men’s Journal, The Robb Report, Cigar Aficionado Golf, Golf Digest, Golf Connoisseur, Links, Travel & Leisure Golf, and travel and in-flight magazines around the globe.

Mike also serves on a number of “Top 100” panels, including Golf magazine’s panels to select the Top 100 in the World, Top 100 in the US and Top 100 You Can Play. In addition to commercial assignments for developers, advertising agencies, travel & tourism boards and magazine publishers, his photos have illustrated six books, including Golf Resorts of the World and Golf Courses of the PGA Tour. Mike’s own book, A View From the Rough, celebrated the marriage of golf and the environment. Mike is a Director Emeritus of The Academy of Golf Artists and is the director of photography for Golf Connoisseur Magazine and Golfdom Magazine.

As one of Oklahoma’s leading citizens and philanthropists, Carl Renfro dramatically enhances the credibility, visibility and viability of Celebrating Oklahoma!

A leader in Oklahoma’s financial community, Carl is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Pioneer Bank and Trust in Ponca City, a position he has held since 1979. Renfro also serves as director of the Bank of Nichols Hills in Oklahoma City.

Carl's deep devotion to Oklahoma is shown by his active involvement in civic and charitable activities across the state. A passionate advocate for our state’s colleges and universities, Carl has served on the board of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education since 1995, including a term as chairman in 2002-2003. He is also a director of the Friends of Education.

Currently chairman of the Standing Bear Native American Memorial Foundation, Carl is past president and director of the Kiwanis Club and the Chamber of Commerce Industrial Foundation. Other civic activities include service as chairman of the Ponca City School Foundation, the Marland Estate Foundation, St. Joseph Medical Foundation and the Ponca City Police Foundation. He is actively involved in the Salvation Army, Harmony House and Bridgeway and serves on the boards of Via Christi Medical Center and the Ponca City Police Foundation.

Jim Trecek brings decades of marketing, sales, publishing, relationships and award-winning business acumen to the group. He oversees the marketing, sales and business focus for the project.

During his distinguished career, Jim has owned his own marketing agency, and in 1985 he created The Travel Channel, an international network devoted to the world of travel. As COO during its startup years, he guided The Travel Channel to one of the most successful network launches in the cable television business.

After serving 15 successful years in various executive capacities for The Williams Companies (mostly in business development management), Jim left in 2002 as part of an early retirement program. Since that time he has been helping other companies develop startup and growth strategies. Jim will be able to tap into numerous strong business and political relationships at both the state and national levels to bolster the foundation for the project.

Rick Long provides creative, interactive and publishing expertise for the project. His Tulsa-based firm, Source Publications, has a long history of high-end publishing, communications and marketing services for such leading organizations as:

Sabre, the world’s largest travel distribution system
BASF, a global chemical company
Teleflora, the world’s largest flowers-by-wire organization

Rick has also served Oklahoma through major publishing and interactive projects for Tulsa River Parks, Gilcrease Museum, the Tulsa City-County Library System and numerous smaller Oklahoma-based companies.

Rick is responsible for guiding the design and production of all Celebrating Oklahoma! products. His team of talented strategists, writers, designers, and interactive experts will ensure a standard of excellence that will thrill our customers and bring long-lasting value to our state.

Wherever possible, Rick will work to identify and engage appropriate Oklahoma-based providers—to make the project a truly Oklahoma-based effort.