EDO Support Team

Get to know the economic development specialists supporting new jobs and investments through Oklahoma's Economic Development Organizations (EDOs). Home / Community Development / Local Governments + EDOs / EDO Support Team EDO Support Team Our team of economic development specialists strengthens Oklahoma communities by recruiting a diverse portfolio of industries to the state. We work directly with Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) from across Oklahoma to prepare site selection proposals and win projects that will create new jobs and investments. Commerce’s Business Development team is aligned with our sector-based recruitment of economic development projects. Leadership John Budd Chief Executive Officer John brings a wealth of leadership experience to Commerce as CEO, having previously served as COO of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. He was Oklahoma’s inaugural Chief Operating Officer from 2019 to 2021, where he significantly improved government efficiency through strategic reforms and oversight of day-to-day operations. Before his state government role, John was Chief Strategy Officer at Sonic Drive-In and a Partner and Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group. Barbra Coffee Executive Director - EDGE Barbra Coffee, a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), is the Executive Director of the EDGE division at Commerce and a board member for the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. As the former Director of Economic Initiatives for the City of Tucson, she facilitated over 7,000 new jobs and $2 billion in capital investment from companies like Raytheon and American Battery Factory. Her extensive background also includes leading high-profile recruitment in advanced manufacturing and professional sports for the City of Henderson, Nevada. 405-517-3831 Aerospace + Defense and ACES Program The ACES program is a comprehensive approach to recruiting and retaining and expanding Oklahoma’s aerospace industry. Leshia Pearson Director, Aerospace & Defense 405-815-5287 [email protected] Rob Wilcox, Chief Petty Officer, Navy (Ret.) Business Recruiter, Aerospace & Defense 405-967-1725 [email protected] Kallie Hanisch Program Manager, Aerospace & Defense 405-889-4486 [email protected] Business Recruitment Works with companies, both in-state and out-of-state, and internationally, to increase jobs and investment in the state; acts as convener for interested parties to efficiently bring new economic opportunities to Oklahoma. Jay Shidler Director of Business Recruitment 405-551-5595 [email protected] Tina Lindsay Brown Director, Economic Development Specialist 405-754-3495 [email protected] Shepard Cockrell Economic Development Specialist 405-227-1374 [email protected] Akiva Israel Economic Development Specialist 405-876-3774 [email protected] Thomas Johnson Economic Development Specialist 405-845-3896 [email protected] Joshua Mayo Industry Recruiter 405-837-8788 [email protected] International Relations + Foreign Investment Oklahoma Commerce’s Global Engagement Team promotes the state as a location for foreign direct investment and assists Oklahoma companies seeking to expand through exporting.  The team serves as the primary liaison for foreign dignitaries and international delegations engaging with Oklahoma commerce, supports international business and government officials, and coordinates state missions abroad in support of Oklahoma business. Mark Wells Director of Global Trade & Investment 405-694-8824 [email protected] Christy Busch Chief of Protocol and Diplomacy 405-815-5111 [email protected] Sarah Short Director of International Relations and Foreign Investment 405-255-3248 [email protected] Jesse Garcia Senior Trade Specialist 405-312-3088 [email protected] Oklahoma Film + Music Office The Oklahoma Film +