Christy Pisarra, R.N., 35
Oklahoma City
Clinical Nurse Manager, Neuroscience ICU, Saint Francis Hospital
Pisarra began her career at the hospital as an emergency room admissions clerk in 1998 and returned to the hospital during her last year of nursing school. She has fulfilled several roles in the hospital, and she now leads a team of nurses who specialize in the care of the critically ill, brain-injured patient requiring life-supportive treatments or monitoring. She says that her first job as a server at a local restaurant is what taught her to have excellent bedside manner for patients. “Learning how to deal directly with the customers, providing them timely outstanding service, consolidation of tasks, anticipating needs before asked, working as a team and asking for help when ‘in the weeds’ – all helped make me a better nurse and even now nurse leader,” she says. Pisarra is passionate about educating the public on signs and symptoms of stroke and attends the Oklahoma State Stroke Systems advisory committee and participates in workgroups related to the care of the stroke patient in Oklahoma.
Weldon Bowman, 37
Tulsa
Architect/Owner, W Design Architecture and Interiors
Bowman launched his own architecture and design firm, W Design, in 2010. The firm is currently expanding to a second location in Tulsa. Bowman serves as president of the Home Builders Association’s Remodelers Council and is president-elect of 40Below, a young professionals organization that is part of the Greater Tulsa Home Builders Association. He also takes time to assist in developing the concepts for buildings for nonprofit organizations like Lindsey House, which provides transitional housing for women. Bowman is a member of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, the United States Green Builders Council, National Council and Registration Board and the American Institute of Architects, among others.
Sgt. Thomas Cooper, 32
Tulsa
Sergeant, Broken Arrow Police Department
With the department for 10 years, Cooper is a sergeant that currently works the evening patrol shift. He is also a crisis negotiator, staff instructor and aids the city’s emergency department. He was recently named one of the department’s public information officers. He also serves as president of the police union. Cooper’s many jobs in the Broken Arrow Police Department are part of his plan for success. “Do not be afraid to get involved,” he says. “Do not be afraid to surround yourself by people who are smarter then you. Be confident but realistic.” In addition to his career, Cooper also serves as president of the Broken Arrow Neighbors’ board of directors. He was part of a recent capital campaign for the organization that helped raise funds for a new headquarters. “The support from the community and foundations were overwhelming during this capital project,” he says. “I am continuingly humbled to be part of this organization.”
Russ Peevy, 39
Bixby
Project Director, Commercial Construction, Flintco
Working in construction is a way of life for Peevy’s family. “Construction is in my blood,” he says. His grandfather, father and brother have all been in the industry one way or another. Peevy’s first job was as a construction laborer for a family business, and he worked construction all during high school and college. “It taught me the value of hard working and working together with coworkers to build something,” he says. Today, as project director, Peevy oversees multiple projects and client accounts as well as 15 employees, providing leadership, employee development and company direction. He credits much of his talents to the humble environment he grew up in. When he’s not at work, Peevy spends time with his wife and three children, who are 5, 8 and 12. He volunteers as a youth coach for his son’s sports teams and plays tennis with his daughter. Peevy loves his job and what he does and believes, “one’s success is usually a product of a collective effort involving other.”
Christopher M. Staine, 29
Oklahoma City
Attorney, Crowe & Dunlevy
Staine grew up with hard work and perseverance instilled in him. As a senior litigation associate at Crowe & Dunlevy, Staine focuses on the areas of energy, natural resources, creditor’s rights, bankruptcy and commercial litigation. He enjoys volunteering for First Tee of Metropolitan Oklahoma City, a nonprofit organization that teaches life lessons to teens through the game of golf, as well as for Oklahoma Lawyers For Children, a nonprofit that provides legal services to abused, neglected and deprived children in Oklahoma County. His future goals are to remain humble and to make a difference, and he says that to be successful in life, “stay hungry, remain humble and pray.”
