Workforce and Development Director Accepts New Position in Stroud

Mayor Bill LaFortune announced Steve Gilbert, the Director of Workforce and Economic Development for the City of Tulsa, has accepted a job as City Manager and Economic Development Director in his hometown of Stroud, Oklahoma.  Gilbert will resign his position with the City of Tulsa effective January 15, 2006. 

LaFortune said since Gilbert's selection, the connection between Workforce Tulsa and the City of Tulsa's economic development efforts has been strengthened and enhanced. He said the partnership with the Workforce Tulsa Board of Directors will continue as the two work together to provide the quality of leadership in economic development and workforce development that is envisioned in each organization's strategic plans.

Gilbert joined Mayor LaFortune's staff in May, 2005 when Mayor LaFortune created the Office of Workforce and Economic Development to increase Tulsa's competitive advantage in economic development.  Gilbert also resigns his position as the Chief Executive Officer for Workforce Tulsa, a non-profit corporation with responsibility for overseeing a variety of federal job training grant programs for the Tulsa area’s employers, job seekers and youth.

"I appointed Steve to start-up the Mayor's Office of Workforce and Economic Development because he is a strong leader with excellent experience and a successful track record in creating economic development partnerships.  During his tenure with the Mayor’s Office he has been involved in many facets of economic development, including leading the Mayor's Economic Development Team, as well as working with the Tulsa Metro Chamber and other entities who partner with the City of Tulsa.  Steve’s economic development and marketing experience, as well as his workforce development expertise make him an attractive pick for a city like Stroud – especially since it is his hometown.  As a native of Stroud, Steve has a strong desire to accept the offer to get back home and help it's economic development. I wish Steve well in his new position." 

"It has been a great honor to serve the City of Tulsa and the Mayor's Office", said Gilbert. "Tulsa has a lot to look forward to as the progress of Vision 2025 continues to gain momentum. I will miss the opportunity to have been able to continue to be a part of this exciting time for Tulsa, however, the opportunity to get back home and help Stroud develop its own economic momentum was something I felt was best for my family and me."

Gilbert is also the Mayor's staff liaison to the Economic Development Commission, which Mayor LaFortune convened in 2002 to advise and guide the City of Tulsa in its economic development efforts.  Prior to his departure, Gilbert will work with the EDC to finalize the City of Tulsa’s Strategic Plan for Economic Development, as well as to update Workforce Tulsa’s strategic plan for the next 2 years.  LaFortune said the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan will be the City’s playbook for a focused and coordinated economic development effort, enabling the City of Tulsa and its various departments, trusts, authorities and commissions to be economic drivers, and to leverage the investments from Vision 2025, private sector funding of the Chamber’s Tulsa’s Future Plan, as well as the Community Foundation’s Step-Up Tulsa initiative.