OUR TEAM

Becky Frank is one of Oklahoma’s leaders – both in business circles and in civic affairs. She combines a strong business network and leadership consulting with public relations savvy. She joined the firm as partner and chief operating officer, was named president in 2000 and has served as chair and chief executive officer since 2006.

She built her reputation by building community partnerships – first with Tulsa Area United Way and then with BOK Financial Corp., where she managed PR and community relations for a multi-state, multi-billion-dollar banking enterprise.

Today, Becky works closely with CEOs and executives, providing confidential executive coaching and counsel on everything from career and life planning, pre-retirement career planning, goal-setting, interpersonal skills and individual reputation management.

Community outreach remains one of Becky’s favorite PR disciplines. She has created and executed wide-sweeping plans for a variety of clients nationally including corporations, universities, nonprofits and faith-based organizations.

Education: John Brown University

Community Involvement: Tulsa Community Foundation Trustee; Tulsa Foundation Board Member; Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Committee and Council Member (Gubernatorial appointment); Executive Women International Tulsa Chapter Advisory Council Member; Tulsa Area United Way, past board and campaign chair; Tulsa Regional Chamber, past chair; Tulsa Area United Way Women United, past chair and advisory committee member; The Salvation Army, emeritus member and past chair; Tulsa River Parks Authority, past chair; Leadership Oklahoma, past chair; Summit Club, past chair; Tulsa Press Club, past chair

Accolades: Tulsa Area United Way, 2016 Women United Clydella Hentschel Award; 2015 The University of Tulsa Collins College of Business, Business Hall of Fame inductee; 2014 TulsaPeople Tulsan of the Year; 2014 Executive Women International Executive of the Year; Tulsa World, 12 to Watch in 2012; The Association for Women in Communications, 2012 Newsmaker; Greater Tulsa Reporter, 2012 Ten to Watch Recognition; Tulsa Business Journal, 2011 Women in Distinction; Journal Record, 50 Women of the Year, Finalist, 2002, 2003, 2004; Tulsa Commission on the Status of Women, Pinnacle Award Recipient, 2004; Tulsa Advertising Federation, Silver Addy Recipient, 2001

Passions: family, friends, traveling in my Airstream Interstate Lounge, downtown living, anything Italian, working and community service

Russ Florence is a partner, president, chief operating and inclusion officer at Schnake Turnbo Frank, leading the firm’s Oklahoma City office.

Russ brings a broad range of communication and management experience to the firm. With experience in journalism, corporate leadership and consulting, he brings a multi-faceted, balanced perspective to his clients. His expertise includes strategic planning, executive coaching, reputation management, crisis communications, media relations and integrated communications.

Russ joined Schnake Turnbo Frank in 2001, and became a partner in 2007. He maintains a key role in leading the company’s strategic growth and external affairs.

Before joining the firm, Russ managed corporate communications for the BOK Financial Corporation. He relies on every facet of his experience – journalism, nonprofit, corporate and entrepreneurism – in his work today. Russ is a frequent speaker to universities, professional associations and business groups.

Education: bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University; Duke Executive Leadership Program, Fuqua School of Business, Duke University

Community Involvement: Woody Guthrie Center, board chairman; Oklahoma City National Memorial, board of trustees; Oklahoma Caring Foundation, board member; Oklahoma City Dodgers Foundation, board member; Oklahomans for the Arts, board member; Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, board of advisors; Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, past chairman

Accolades: Downtown OKC Rotary Club, Rotarian of the Year, 2015-2016; Oklahoma State University School of Agricultural Communications, Graduate of Distinction, 2007; International Association of Business Communicators, Tulsa chapter, John Hartman Communicator of the Year, 2001

Passions: music, baseball, reading, running and Mexican food

Aaron Fulkerson joined the company in the spring of 2010, and became a partner in February 2012. Aaron leads the firm’s rapidly growing management consulting division, STF’s practice focusing on leadership and strategy. Aaron is a Predictive Index Certified Partner, Myers-Briggs Certified Practitioner, a Birkman Certified Professional, and holds a coaching certificate from the Association for Talent Development. He brings more than 15 years of experience, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and government organizations.

As an Oklahoma native, Aaron is the former chief operations officer of the Florida/Caribbean region of Right Management Consultants. More recently, he was president and chief operations officer of Gabbard and Co. With his ability to provide solutions for his clients, Aaron is helping the firm expand its expertise and offer more ways to meet clients’ needs.

Outside of work, Aaron enjoys a deep passion for music. Aaron has more than 20 years of experience in the music industry as a composer, producer, songwriter and arranger.

Education: bachelor’s degree in film scoring from Berklee College of Music in Boston and master’s degree in business administration in progress

Community Involvement: Foundation for Tulsa Public Schools, board of directors; Ronald McDonald House of Tulsa, board of directors; State Chamber of Oklahoma, board of directors; Allied Arts, board of directors; Lyric Theatre, board of directors

Passions: family, movies, reading, food and a wide variety of music

David Wagner brings expertise in public relations, community relations, development and education to Schnake Turnbo Frank. David is a Birkman Certified Professional and has more than 30 years experience serving in various leadership roles.

David joined the firm in 2010 and serves as the chief financial officer. In 2016 he joined Becky Frank, Russ Florence and Aaron Fulkerson as a partner of the firm. David is responsible for the overall financial operations of the firm in addition to his work with client services, business development and community involvement. He also leads the faith-based initiative, helping organizations of all faiths with public relations, organizational development and overall performance.

Prior to STF, David worked at Oral Roberts University for 12 years where he held several positions and most recently served as vice president of university relations and development. In that role, he managed six departments and was closely involved in the school’s public relations and community relations efforts. Earlier in his career, David lived in Wisconsin where he worked many years in the education field.

David’s recent civic involvements include:

• Rotary Club of Tulsa, President-Elect
• Junior Achievement of Oklahoma, Inc., Tulsa Board of Directors
• Leadership Oklahoma, Class XXV
• Leadership Oklahoma, Board Member
• Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College, Advisory Board Member
• International Christian Accrediting Association, Board of Directors
• Public Relations Society of America, Member
• Association for Talent Development, Member

Past civic involvements include:

• Tulsa Area United Way, Chair, Marketing Committee
• Tulsa Area United Way, 2018 Campaign Cabinet

Education: bachelor’s degree in music education from Oral Roberts University; master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Community Involvement: Leadership Oklahoma, Class XXV; Junior Achievement of Oklahoma, Inc., board of directors; Rotary Club of Tulsa; Association for Talent Development; Public Relations Society of America

Passions: Faith, family, cruises, reading, finding unique eating spots, Green Bay Packers, Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles, University of Wisconsin Badgers, traveling the back roads of Oklahoma with his wife in their red ’95 Corvette

With more than 40 years in the business, Steve Turnbo’s name is synonymous with public relations.

Name a project, a company, a good cause, or most any PR scenario and Steve has personal experience at handling it, and with success. From economic development activities and intelligence gathering for investors, to coaching clients on addressing a roomful of reporters and pitching story angles to media outlets, Steve’s done it all.

Steve was a partner in the firm for more than 25 years before being named chairman emeritus. Fortunately – for the firm and its clients – he’s still engaged, devoting his time to client work, business development and community endeavors.

Education: bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Tulsa

Community Involvement: Oklahoma Academy, past chairman; Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, past chairman; Tulsa Regional Chamber, past chairman; Will Rogers Memorial Foundation, past chairman

Accolades: Oklahoma Academy, Key Contributor Award, 2010; North Tulsa Heritage Foundation, Image of the Community Award, 2004; Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, Humanitarian Honoree, 2003; Public Relations Society of America, College of Fellows, 2002; University of Tulsa Distinguished Alumni Award, 2001

Passions: University of Tulsa, sports

Hannah Jackson joined the firm in 2013 as an account executive; she has experience working with a wide range of industries on diverse projects including coaching, management consulting, traditional media, strategic planning, and resource development.

Hannah’s work at STF has included a wide range of management consulting, coaching, traditional media, strategic planning, and resource development projects. Hannah also has a keen interest and background in both digital engagement and marketing research, enabling clients to increase customer engagement by utilizing data and web tools.

Prior to joining STF, Hannah was the communications manager at the Tulsa Regional Chamber. She maintained day-to-day communication and project management for the Chamber’s education and workforce department, which included Tulsa’s Young Professionals and Mosaic, a diversity business council. Her tenure at the Chamber afforded significant experience with earned media, events and social media.

An accent-free transplant from the UK, Hannah’s heritage is incognito unless around her family as she has officially spent more than half her life in the states.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma; Master of Science in integrated marketing communications from Oklahoma State University. A coaching certificate from ATD and a certificate in Unconscious Bias from the Cultural Intelligence Center.

Community involvement: Co-chair of Tulsa’s LGBT Women’s Network, Member of the Mosaic Membership Committee, Tulsa’s Young Professionals, Global Gardens, Oklahoma Sustainability Network

Passions: spending time with my sisters, cooking (and eating!), working out and trying to play soccer again, volunteering, traveling, and decorating

A Tulsa native, Toni has led communications campaigns for brands nationwide. As an account executive in our Oklahoma City office, she provides strategic communications counsel in industries including energy, education, legal and nonprofit. Toni most enjoys writing content that attracts a client’s target audience, connects them with the community and establishes their credibility.

Through an integrated and data-driven approach, Toni uses both traditional and digital marketing strategies to tell a client’s story. Along with her media relations experience, she combines these efforts with a larger strategic direction in mind.

Toni is certified in managing unconscious bias and spearheads the firm’s inclusion and diversity initiatives — the Inclusion & Diversity Consortium and biennial Summit. She also conducts I&D assessments, audits and training sessions for clients.

Prior to joining STF, Toni led marketing and public relations efforts at Allied Arts, an arts and cultural nonprofit serving central Oklahoma. She also managed traditional and digital marketing for Crowe & Dunlevy, the leading law firm in the state, where projects included social strategy, content creation, website management and graphic design. Additionally, Toni served on the firm’s diversity and charitable giving committees.

Education: bachelor’s degree in communications from The University of Tulsa

Community Involvement: Association for Women in Communications, president-elect; People’s Church, PC Kids leader; ReMerge of Oklahoma County, board member; Public Relations Society of America, member

Accolades: NextGen Under 30 (2017) – recognizing the next generation of innovative, creative and inspiring individuals who push the boundaries

Passions: family, volunteering, reading, writing, storytelling, following digital media trends, using an em dash

Prior to joining Schnake Turnbo Frank, Emalia worked in marketing and communications in San Francisco at Edelman where she specialized in corporate communications for financial, technology and nonprofit organizations from Fortune 500 companies to Silicon Valley startups. With experience in international media relations and executive counseling, she also supported the firm’s Bay Area business development and event marketing initiatives.

Although a California native, Emalia first moved to Oklahoma to attend The University of Tulsa where she was a member of the NCAA Division I Women’s Rowing team. During her time in Oklahoma, Emalia interned with WPX Energy, Tulsa’s Channel 8 and Saxum Strategic Communications.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in communications with a minor in sociology from The University of Tulsa.

Community Involvement: Public Relations Society of America – Tulsa chapter

Passions: spending time with family, animal rescue, running, hiking, traveling

A native Tulsan, Madeline Roper graduated from the University of Oklahoma and returned home to pursue a career in strategic communications. She joined the firm as an intern in Fall 2019 and currently serves as an account coordinator.

Madeleine gained public relations experience while serving as the Mayor’s Intern for the City of Tulsa and Public Diplomacy Intern for the U.S. Department of State. She enjoys sharing ideas through storytelling and has been featured in outlets across Oklahoma, including TulsaPeople, The Tulsa Voice, The Journal Record, Root Tulsa and others.

During her time at OU, Madeline honed her communications skills both inside and outside of the classroom. She served as Vice-Chair of Publicity for OU’s High School Leadership Conference. HSLC brings 300 high school juniors to OU’s campus for leadership development and college preparation. She also served as Chair of Crimson Club, OU’s official student ambassadors and historians. In these roles, she wrote and edited copy, managed social media, and planned events.

Education: bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma with minors in constitutional studies and international studies (2019)

Community Involvement: Norman community theatre, LoveWorks Leadership after school program

Passions: live music, coffee, watching movies, hanging out with my sisters, and OU football!

Kate started out as an intern in spring 2020, and is now an account coordinator in the Oklahoma City office. A Tulsa native, she has experience in both in-house and agency strategic communications, traditional and digital marketing and print and broadcast journalism.

Prior to coming to STF, she interned for Griffin Communications, Bolt Public Relations and University of Oklahoma media relations. She has worked in a wide range of markets from education and nonprofits to skincare brands and an alcohol distillery.

Kate recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma in spring 2020. She was a part of Lindsey + Asp, a student run advertising and public relations agency, where she was on the research and account teams. She was also a reporter for the OU Daily as well as a President Community Scholar.

Education: University of Oklahoma (2020), bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor in general business

Community Involvement: Catholic Charities, Loveworks Leadership and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Passions: Friends, family, pasta, hiking in Colorado and traveling

Kelli Bruer joined the firm as an associate after a long career specializing in marketing and public relations in the private and public sectors. She has a wide range of experience across diverse industries ranging from tribal relations, entertainment and hospitality, manufacturing to healthcare. Her experience includes strategic planning, crisis communication, internal and external communications, media relations, media buying and special events.

Kelli’s diverse expertise also includes consumer research, business-to-business marketing, leading and developing teams, project management and government relations.

Prior to joining Schnake Turnbo Frank, Kelli was the vice president of marketing and communications for the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). She was responsible for all communications and public education for the authority covering 16 communities in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas. Kelli also worked for the Cherokee Nation, where she is an enrolled citizen, overseeing all public relations for the tribe’s casinos. Her significant experience in marketing and consumer research comes from years of experience as the marketing manager for the Bama Companies, where she served as a member of the sales and product development teams.

Kelli is a proud Tulsan and Native American. If you talk to her, she’ll most likely be singing Tulsa’s praises, asking if you’re registered to vote or discussing the latest shows on Netflix.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in marketing from The University of Tulsa.

Passions: championing mental health, substance abuse treatment and criminal justice reform; reading, 70s music and late-night talk shows.

Jack is a video storyteller with two decades of experience in television and communications. He produces, writes and narrates everything from short web videos to hour-long TV documentaries. His expertise is in videography, screenwriting, editing and communications. Jack’s skills help our clients tell stories that stand out in today’s cluttered media world.

Prior to joining STF, Jack created and produced the award-winning Tulsa History Series, which aired locally and statewide across Oklahoma. He helped uncover long forgotten film clips from the state’s past and used those film fragments to create compelling TV segments and shows. He produced more than a dozen TV documentaries including Tulsa Deco, Tulsa A to Z and The Glenn Pool Story.

In addition to his associate role at STF, he also has his own video firm, Jack Frank Productions, and has produced projects for international clients as well as local nonprofit agencies. Jack was also an assignments manager at KJRH-Tulsa and station manager for OETA (PBS)-Tulsa. With a vast news background, Jack is a key part of STF’s media training and crisis communications programs.

Education: bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and minor in advertising/public relations from the University of Tulsa

Community Involvement:  Tulsa Historical Society, board of directors; Salvation Army of Tulsa, board of directors; Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, board of directors; Oklahoma Mental Health Association, “Carnivale” co-chair

Passions: traveling, running, exploring Tulsa history

Kerry Malone joined the firm in 2020 as an associate after a career in public-company corporate communications spanning the energy and technology industries.

She is an experienced communications partner for C-suite executives and other senior leaders; she is adept at developing and executing integrated strategies and messaging across external and internal platforms. She has supported executives in engagements with high-profile print and broadcast media; conference keynote and investment-analyst speeches; testimony to governing bodies; employee town halls; and local media and community organizations.

Kerry is experienced at leading successful efforts to engage community support for development projects across the nation in rural and metropolitan locales.

Her experience in integrated communications for publicly traded companies includes tens of billions of dollars in acquisitions, divestitures, initial public offerings, spinoffs, splits and exchanges, as well as numerous engagements with shareholder activists and unsolicited takeover offers.

She has extensive experience in integrated crisis-communications strategy development and execution.

Also, she has led internal communications in support of numerous organizational and process change-management initiatives. Kerry directed brand strategy, development and stewardship efforts at a Fortune 200 company.

Prior to joining STF, she served as the director of communications for Williams, a Tulsa-based, publicly traded company whose operations over the course of Kerry’s tenure included energy pipelines, processing and refining facilities, exploration and production, energy marketing and trading, and telecommunications network and broadcast services. Her earlier career experience included: Contributing editor for Hart’s Oil & Gas Investor magazine; managing editor of Hart’s Midcontinent energy magazine; contributor to Natural Gas Intelligence; and editor and reporting positions at the Tulsa World newspaper. She is a recipient of the American Petroleum Institute’s Robert J. Enright Award for Excellence in Petroleum Journalism.

Education: Bachelor of Science in mass media news from The University of Tulsa. Graduate of the Corporate Executive Board’s Finance Leadership Academy.

Community Involvement: Board of directors, Oklahoma Methodist Manor. Prior involvement includes board chair or membership for Street School; KIPP Tulsa College Preparatory Academy; and Child Care Resource Center.

Passions: Hearing and supporting live music; spending face-to-face time with friends; wrangling my gang of three terrier mixes; pushing my limits in strength training and conditioning; enjoying fresh flowers and wine; and traveling with friends old and new.

Tina Fincher is an associate at STF and has more than 15 years of design experience. Tina specializes in logo development, print collateral, event promotion, packaging and web design. She is committed to helping clients across all industries – ranging from nonprofits to international corporations – achieve effective results. She creates extraordinary, effective designs that always exceed expectations, and her work has won numerous local, regional and national awards.

Specializing in branding and print design, some of her current clients include Cox Business, Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, and OSU Medical Center.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in communications from Northeastern State University

Passions: Tina is passionate about typography, and teaches upper level design courses at The University of Tulsa.

A seasoned strategic communications, publicity and media relations professional, Gretchen Wagner has 20 years’ experience, including 10 years with New York City’s top public relations firms. Her work spans corporate, entertainment, nonprofit and red carpet events to marketing technology, big pharma and consumer products.

Gretchen’s work at STF has included writing contributed articles, op-eds and letters to the editor for clients in the corporate, education, legal and non-profit sectors, as well as developing media relations strategy.

As an independent consultant, Gretchen also serves as head of PR for Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning, New York City entertainment company, Believe Entertainment Group. Her responsibilities have included driving the company’s original narrative and elevating its brand in the press; spearheading national media relations around original content for digital and TV distribution in partnership with LeBron James, Tiësto, Ayesha Curry and Jennifer Lopez; and managing external-facing messaging, events, thought leadership and speaker bureau.

Previously, Gretchen was Vice President at Rubenstein Communications in New York City implementing high-profile, results-oriented public relations campaigns for Live Nation, AEG, XM Radio, Amazon, Tribeca Film Festival, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, HBO’s U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, New York TV Festival, Lionsgate, Dr. Phil Show and the Nelson Mandela Foundation among others.

Education: Bachelor of Science in International Business from Oral Roberts University

Community involvement: Volunteering at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Tulsa and Joe’s Farm in Bixby

Passions: music, hiking, organic gardening, family time and connecting with my five nieces and nephews

Before joining Schnake Turnbo Frank, Erika worked in marketing and communications for a law firm, a professional musical theatre nonprofit, an orthodontic group and a construction company. While her path to the firm was uncommon, it ignited a passion for learning about an assortment of industries and how to most effectively communicate with a variety of audiences.

She has more than eight years of experience in strategic communications and her experience covers many industries including agriculture, entertainment, education and the nonprofit sector. She specializes in community relations, message development and event promotion, but no matter what hat she’s wearing, Erika is dedicated to organization, detail and efficiency.

After joining the firm as an account executive in 2011, Erika was promoted to senior account executive in 2014 and later to vice president in 2017. She currently serves as an associate on key projects in Oklahoma City.

Education: bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma

Community Involvement: Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County, board of directors; Public Relations Society of America – Oklahoma City Chapter

Passions: excessive use of the dash in email correspondence, dance parties in the living room with a toddler and a preschooler, slipping movie quotes into professional conversations, and angst-filled music from the ’90s

Angie Walters joined the firm in 2013 to serve as an executive assistant to STF’s management team. In her role, her can-do spirit is apparent as she assists with phone calls, scheduling, troubleshooting and double-checking.

Prior to working at STF, Angie spent six years as an executive assistant at the Tulsa Regional Chamber. Before her time at the Chamber, she spent many years working in the law and private investigator fields, working as a legal clerk, court-appointed special advocate and licensed private investigator.

An Oklahoma native, Angie attended Sapulpa and Broken Arrow schools and graduated from Langston University, where she graduated with a degree in criminal justice.

In addition to her work at STF, Angie is the Founder and CEO of Breast Cancer Assistance Program, a charity she founded after surviving breast cancer in 2005.

Education: bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Langston University

Community involvement: Breast Cancer Assistance Program, chairman of the board; Executive Women’s International, vice president; Tulsa Regional Chamber campaign volunteer

Accolades: 2012 Williams Women of Inspiration, Top 30 nominee; 2010 Tulsa Shock Women of Inspiration, Top 5 nominee; member of Mensa

Passions: family, motorcycle and ATV riding, boating on the lake, family vacations in Mexico, skeet shooting and football

Dianne Smith joined the STF team in September 2014 as an executive assistant to STF’s management team. Dianne has a bright and smiling face to welcome you as you first enter the firm.

Dianne brings more than 30 years’ experience to the firm with work in the communications and architecture industries. Before her time at STF, Dianne worked for eight years as an executive assistant at Crafton, Tull and Associates. Previous to Crafton, Tull and Associates, she worked as a sales and marketing assistant, analyst and event coordinator at WilTel Communications/Level 3 Communications.

Dianne is a Mississippi native, but now calls Oklahoma home.

Education: bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi

Passions:helping patients and their families going through breast cancer, spending time with family on the lake or by the pool, and Ole Miss Football