Meet Our Board
STEVE REGIER: PRESIDENT
Steve has worked extensively with school athletic programs and staff throughout NE Oklahoma. He grew up in North Newton, Kansas attending Bethel College Mennonite Church. Life growing up was focused on church and school. After graduating from Newton High School in 1978, Steve earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Art from Bethel College in 1982.
Steve and his wife Gera live on Lake Oologah where they enjoy spending time with grandchildren and family as well as gardening and other activities.
Steve was drawn to Light of Hope after the death of his son Zachary in 2015. By sharing the experience of a parent dealing with a child’s addiction, Steve hopes to bring healing to others dealing with similar issues while bringing healing to his own life.
CINDY GRIFFITH: VICE-PRESIDENT
Cindy Griffith is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and served her entire 33-year career in the Cooperation Extension Service as a county Extension Educator for Family and Consumer Sciences. She loves teaching and working in the community.
Cindy is active in the United Methodist Church in Claremore where she is involved in United Methodist Women and the music programs at the church. She serves as District President for United Methodist Women, is treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Cookson Hills Mission in Cookson, Oklahoma, and serves on the Boards of the Wesley Centers at NEO and NSU.
Cindy enjoys quilting and creating beautiful things from fabrics. She loves to cook for others. She sees community service as a responsibility and a ministry which enables her to share the talents and abilities that God has given her.
MICHELLE BISH: SECRETARY
Michelle Bish is the Executive Director for the Northeast Workforce Development Board (NEWDB). The NEWDB is a federally funded nonprofit and part of a nationwide workforce development initiative aimed at empowering at risk populations to gain skills and credentials to enter the workforce. Michelle has served in that capacity since 2015. Michelle has over 13 years of diverse workforce development experience including a progressive career with six years as a service provider serving as National Emergency Grant Coordinator, local Project Director and Corporate Project Director. Michelle began her career in long term care health administration and is a licensed Assisted Living Director. Michelle is a graduate of the Northeast Oklahoma Regional Alliance Leadership Academy.
Michelle has also been active in church leadership and ministry, serving as a worship and small group leader for over 30 years. Michelle has a heart to walk with broken women who are recovering from deep wounds and has led women’s ministry through 1-1 and group settings.
STAN HARRELL
Judge Stan Harrell is a native of Rogers County. After graduating from Inola High School he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was trained in law enforcement and was an Honor Graduate.
He continued his education and received a B.S. from Northeastern State University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa. He is married to Jennifer and they have two lovely daughters, Alyssa and Rebekah and a special dog, Bandit.
Having been a Judge for the City of Claremore for 15 years and served on the Rogers County Drug Court Team for over 10 years, Judge Harrell has a heart for individuals suffering with substance abuse. He knows that Light of Hope makes a positive difference in the lives of many every day and is proud to be associated with such a caring, Christ centered organization.
MINDIE BAAB
Mindie Baab is a wife, mother, friend, and advocate. She believes that volunteering enriches our society and brings us together as a community.
Mindie has been a Court Reporter for the 12th Judicial District of the State of Oklahoma for nearly 30 years. In May of 2014, the Oklahoma Legislature enacted a new statute allowing therapy dogs in a courtroom to protect child victims/witnesses from any unnecessary emotional discomfort and anguish. Having witnessed the emotional impact on children testifying in a courtroom, Mindie felt strongly about implementing a therapy dog program in Rogers County. Soon thereafter she added the title of Court Dog Handler to her job description and the 12th Judicial District Court Dog Program was born. An Aussiedoodle named Jerzy Girl became the first full-time facility dog.
Mindie and her husband Drew live in Jenks. They have four adult children Ashley, Alex, Joshua, & Jordan. Mindie & Drew are members of Church On The Move.
RANDALL FREEMAN
Randall Freeman is a husband, father, friend, and business owner of Asset Industrial, Inc. Randall has been a small business owner since 2000. Randall and his wife, Layla, have been married since 2004 and have two daughters, Tessa and Savannah, and one daughter, Ashley, in Heaven.
Randall has a passion to help others. He is a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. Randall is hardworking and dedicated to his family, church, and business. He has a compassionate heart and is willing to reach out to people who are struggling. He is well known for his kindness and humor.
Randall has a passion for restoring antique cars; and enjoys treasuring the history and value of past memorabilia. His years of experience in business, finance, and management give him a wisdom well earned.
MEGGIE FROMAN-KNIGHT
Meggie Froman-Knight currently serves as the Executive Director for Claremore Industrial and Economic Development Authority. She has worked alongside many community and business partners to develop a holistic workforce development approach for Claremore and Rogers County.
A sixth-generation resident of Claremore, Meggie received her Bachelors of Arts in Corporate Communication from Northeastern State University, and Masters in Business Administration from Rogers State University. Prior to CIEDA, she worked in the nonprofit and higher education sectors.
Her passion for serving those facing obstacles to employment, or other life difficulties, called her to join the Light of Hope Board in June 2020.
In her free time, you will likely find Meggie enjoying time with friends and family, taking care of cattle or fishing with husband, Garrett, all the while frequently chasing their toddler, Jasper.
KENDRICK OAKLEY
Kendrick Oakley, along with his wife Elizabeth are the founders and Lead Pastors of Real Life Church in Claremore, OK. Real Life Church is the first multi-ethnic church in Claremore history. Kendrick has a passion for training and equipping others to make an impact in their world and raising up our next generation of leaders.
Along with Real Life Church, Kendrick and Elizabeth own Embassy Collaborative Consulting LLC which is a network of business owners growing together through consulting, coaching and collaboration. They desire to train and release new business owners and grow businesses by growing leaders. Elizabeth is also the director of Safe Haven Child Development Center in Claremore, OK.
Both Kendrick and Elizabeth are graduates of Oral Roberts University. They live in Claremore and share the joy of raising 4 sons together.
AMY GILMORE
Amy Gilmore is the proud wife of a Trooper and the momma of two. She has been a high school educator for almost 20 years and has led women’s ministry for 20 plus years. She is passionate about serving others and teaching.
Amy received her Bachelors in English Education from Northeastern State University and her Masters in Educational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University. She and her husband attend church at First Baptist Inola, where they both faithfully serve, and where she is the women’s ministry leader. Amy also currently teaches at Inola High School. A few of her roles include: Instructing Sophomore English, advising Longhorn Media & Broadcasting, organizing the high school career fair, and supervising the IHS Coffee Shop, which helps students pay for school events they can’t afford.
Amy and her husband have two children, Ty and Halley. Ty is married to Rachel, and Halley will soon be married to Gervace. One of their favorite things is family time, whether it be Sunday lunches, game nights, or quick coffee runs.
TONY VANN
Tony Vann is a proven public relations and communications professional with more than 25 years of experience in media relations, state and federal government relations, marketing
communications and non-profit administration. He has represented organizations and individuals in the healthcare, hospitality, travel and tourism, insurance, real estate and retail industries. Before creating Monkey Works Creative, he was Principal at The Guild and he founded Vann & Associates | PR + Marketing. He has also served as President of Christian Companion Senior Care, a national franchise corporation offering services for seniors in their own homes. Vann grew the company from a start up to more than 32 locations within seven states.
His career also includes service as communications director for Oklahoma’s Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin where he worked closely with key officials in the public and private sector to move Oklahoma forward to a more business- friendly environment. Vann has also worked as the development director for the Oklahoma City National Memorial where he raised more than $14.1 million to complete the three-component Memorial dedicated to those who were lost in the Alfred P. Murrah Building on April 19, 1995.
In his previous capacities, he has also served as the public relations director at Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City as well as the legislative assistant to the House Republican Leader in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Vann also has the claim of being the first creator and instructor of a distance learning political science class in the state of Oklahoma. He is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a B.A. in Political Science.
Vann is an active member of his professional community as a member of the Public Relations Society of America Counselors Academy, he is a member of the board of directors for the Public Relations Consultants Group, an invitation only, nationally-recognized, strategic communication organization. He and his wife Cindy enjoy traveling, spending time with family and cheering for the OU Sooners, Denver Broncos, OKC Thunder and Chicago White Sox.
Herb Smith
December 14, 1938 - March 20, 2020
In Memory of our precious friend. You are forever in our hearts. You will never be forgotten.
Your spirit lives on through Light of Hope. We are grateful for your many years of tireless and compassionate dedication to Light of Hope.
