Patrice Douglas speaks to Edmond Rotary..May 14, 2014

Patrice Douglas, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Vice Chairman will speak to Rotary Club of Edmond, Wednesday May 14, 2014.

On September 8, 2011 Governor Mary Fallin announced the appointment of Patrice Douglas to the Corporation Commission. Commissioner Douglas took office on October 10, 2011.

Born in Oklahoma, Patrice is a long time Edmond resident. She attended Oklahoma Christian for her undergraduate degree, and went on to the University of Oklahoma, where she obtained her law degree.

Patrice practiced law full-time for 13 years until she joined the family business. Working with her father in his company, ACP Sheet Metal, she faced first-hand the challenges of small business owners. During her five years at ACP, she served as its vice president and general counsel.

With her legal experience and love of small business, banking was a perfect fit. Patrice served as president of SpiritBank, and executive vice president of First Fidelity Bank. She was appointed to the Oklahoma Bankers Association Board of Directors in May, 2011.

Community service is her passion. She has been appointed by three governors to serve on six different statewide boards and task forces. Serving two terms for the Edmond Economic Development Authority, Patrice was elected its chair and served in that capacity until October, 2008.

In April 2009 Patrice was elected Edmond’s Mayor. While in office she championed the creation of the Small Business Task Force, launched a youth volunteerism program, and fought to reinstate the senior meal program. She also led successful efforts involving a partnership of the public and private sectors to allow the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s office to move to Edmond, and to build Oklahoma’s largest competition swimming pool complex. She was elected to serve on the Oklahoma Municipal League Board of Directors, and served on its Task Force on Government Efficiencies. She was instrumental in creating the Mayors Council on Economic Development, and was elected its Chair.

In February, 2011, Patrice received the Kate Barnard Award for Outstanding Public Service in Oklahoma.

Family and faith are her focus. Her husband of 23 years, Brent Douglas, is a strategic planning consultant. Her two sons are the lights of her life. She enjoys hanging out with them, and knows that she is raising a future astronaut and a President of the United States. She is involved in her church, Life Church.