News
Liaison to development community, small business hired
ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASE: Published 3-22-2011
Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced that a new position has been
created to serve as a liaison between the City of Tulsa's
Development Services Department and the development community,
including business owners and Tulsa area neighborhoods.
Crystal Keller, a new employee to the City of Tulsa, will serve
as the first Development Services Coordinator, and will focus
educating Tulsans on development services, permits, and processes
required when opening a new business in Tulsa, and reaching out to
the Tulsa area development community and neighborhoods potentially
affected by new development or redevelopment. Keller started in
this new position on Feb. 28.
"The Development Services team is dedicated to proactive
communication with the development community in various forums and
venues to discuss challenges and celebrate achievements and
successes," said Development Services Director Jack Page.
The position was part of the mayor's priorities for Fiscal Year
2011 and it was also strongly supported by the City Council and
business leadership. Bartlett said the need for such a position
arose repeatedly during the Mayor's small business forums in the
spring of 2010.
"More hands-on nurturing and caring for small business owners
was a recurring theme. Crystal will be in the field meeting with
businesses and developers, as well as neighborhood leaders who have
questions about developments in their areas. She will work with
sponsors of business-oriented programs.
"As I have said it is important to me that we roll out the red
carpet and cut the red tape for any new or existing businesses that
will bring new jobs and opportunities to Tulsa," Bartlett
said. "This is a position that will help attain that goal,"
Bartlett said. "Jack and his team do a great job of working with
the development community, while also directing a department and
working to improve processes and systems. It was time to add
another professional who can be dedicated to outreach and education
in these business communities and neighborhoods on a full-time
basis. I am pleased to have the opportunity to announce that the
position has been filled, and to welcome Crystal Keller to the City
of Tulsa family."
Keller said she will support small business entrepreneurs with
their development projects, assisting to resolve challenges that
occur during the permitting and inspection processes while
maintaining the integrity of the ordinances that are in place to
ensure public safety.
"I look forward to working closely with Tulsa neighborhood
groups and associations. Tulsa neighborhoods are the central part
of who we are as a city. It is our responsibility to ensure the
protection and sustainability of these neighborhoods through our
services," she said.
Keller graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor
of Arts degree majoring in Sociology with a minor in
Criminology. A native Oklahoman, Keller has spent the last
six years in Arizona, and is very excited to return to her home
state.
Prior to joining the City of Tulsa Development Services team,
Keller worked for an Arizona-based Real Estate Development company,
DMB, Associates, Inc. DMB's projects include signature commercial
properties, resort/recreational and primary home communities,
country clubs, health clubs and spas located in Arizona,
California, Hawaii and Utah. Keller has also worked closely with
small to medium sized business owners as a consultant developing
strategic marketing initiatives in the Phoenix area.
Keller can be reached via email at ckeller@cityoftulsa.org
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