President:
Dr. Jerry Goodwin, Associate Professor, Strategic and Mass Communication, Tulsa Community College
Treasurer:
M. Scott Carter, Chief Political Reporter, The Oklahoman
Secretary:
Dr. William Hickman, Adjunct Professor, Rose State College
Board Members
Ben Abrams, news reporter, KWGS
Heide Brandes, freelance Journalist
Kristi Eaton, freelance journalist, content and media relations strategist
Andrew Griffin, freelance journalist and author
Dr. Mark Hanebutt, professor, University of Central Oklahoma
Allison Herrera, senior reporter, APM Reports
Lionel Ramos, state government reporter, KOSU
Abigail Siatkowski, digital producer, KOSU
Wendy Suares, evening anchor, KOKH, Channel 25
Dr. Philip Todd, instructor, University of Southern Indiana
Beth Wallis, education reporter, StateImpact Oklahoma
Mindy Ragan Wood, freelance journalist
Dr. Jerry Goodwin, LP.D, MBA, is associate professor of strategic and mass communication at Tulsa Community College. He is a former adjunct professor in graduate studies in marketing at the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Research at Langston University-Tulsa. Over the last 22 years, Dr. Goodwin has taught courses in journalism and digital media, communications, and business, where his students have won countless national, regional, state, and local awards in journalism annually. He is a faculty member of the Oklahoma Collegiate Media Association.
Dr. Goodwin is a third-generation journalist and former assistant to the publisher/COO of the award-winning The Oklahoma Eagle, the 10th oldest African American weekly newspaper in the country. During his tenure at the newspaper, he was instrumental in helping the news organization to increase its rank from #13 to #3 among newspapers in its category in the number of awards received by the Oklahoma Press Association. He is a founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists – Tulsa chapter. He is a former board member with the Tulsa Advertising Federation and Tulsa Press Club.
In addition to his years of experience in education and newspaper publishing, he has played a pivotal role as a mayoral appointment on the board of directors for the City of Tulsa/Rogers County Port of Catoosa. The Port is the nation’s most inland waterway system and a major industrial development employer in northeastern Oklahoma. Serving as a board member for 27 years, Dr. Goodwin is currently the longest-serving member and the second longest to serve as board chair over the Port’s 50-year history.
M. Scott is chief political reporter for The Oklahoman. He is a sixth-generation Oklahoman with more than four decades of journalism experience. He is a four-time winner of the Associated Press-Oklahoma News Editors Sweepstakes Award and worked as the State Capitol Bureau Chief and an investigative reporter for the Journal Record for many years. Later in his career, he was an investigative reporter for the ACLU of Oklahoma, a non-profit organization dedicated to the Bill of Rights. Carter also taught journalism, feature writing and photojournalism at Oklahoma City Community College and served as the faculty adviser for the college’s student newspaper, The Pioneer.
Previously, he worked for newspapers in Stillwater, Cushing, Blackwell and Norman and as a stringer for the Associated Press, the Dallas Morning News, Sport Magazine and United Press International.
He is also a published novelist and winner of the 2012 Oklahoma Book Award for Young Adults. Carter earned the 2012 Gold Award for Young Adult Fiction from the National Association of Independent Book Publishers and Foreword Magazine’s 2012 Good Award for YA Fiction.
Carter and his wife Karen have six children, two dogs, one lizard and several poorly-behaved cats.
Dr. William Hickman is currently adjunct professor of mass communication at Rose State College in Midwest City, Okla. and professor emeritus of mass communication at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla.
He is a native of Oklahoma City. He received his B.A. in journalism from Oklahoma Baptist University, an M.L.A. from Texas Christian University and a J.D. from Oklahoma City University School of Law. He is admitted to the practice of law in the state of Oklahoma.
His academic interests are in the Internet and social media as a news and information source, media law, First Amendment issues, military-media relationships and newsroom management. He is a distance runner, competing in several marathons including the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. He lives in Edmond.
Ben Abrams is a reporter and afternoon news anchor at KWGS (Public Radio Tulsa). He previously worked as a news assistant at the New York-based legal news website Law360. He is originally from Philadelphia, Penn.
Ben graduated cum laude from Hofstra University where he received his bachelor's degree in radio production. He was a member of
Ben Abrams is a reporter and afternoon news anchor at KWGS (Public Radio Tulsa). He previously worked as a news assistant at the New York-based legal news website Law360. He is originally from Philadelphia, Penn.
Ben graduated cum laude from Hofstra University where he received his bachelor's degree in radio production. He was a member of the news team at WRHU 88.7FM, the NAB Marconi Award-winning student radio station. At WRHU, he received a number of awards from both station management and the Press Club of Long Island. He also co-created the audio documentary program "Getting To The Root." He was named "Senior of the Year" in the Radio Production and Studies program (now known as "Podcasting and Audio Storytelling") and was accepted into the Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society.
Ben received his master's degree in journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY while navigating the challenges of reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At KWGS, Ben has covered local politics, public transit, education and Tulsa's renewed efforts to address the legacy of the 1921 Race Massacre. He has received awards from the Oklahoma SPJ Pro Chapter for his coverage and has joined his KWGS colleagues in accepting station-wide awards from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters.
Heide Brandes is an award-winning journalist, travel journalist and editor with more than 20 years of published experience.
She regularly contributes to numerous state, regional and national publications and has been published in BBC Travel, National Geographic, Cowboys & Indians, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Forbes, United Airlines
Heide Brandes is an award-winning journalist, travel journalist and editor with more than 20 years of published experience.
She regularly contributes to numerous state, regional and national publications and has been published in BBC Travel, National Geographic, Cowboys & Indians, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Forbes, United Airlines Hemispheres, Sierra Magazine, Route Magazine, Silicon66, The Guardian UK, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Outdoor X 4 Magazine, Kayak Magazine, RoadTrippers Magazine, ROVA, TrailGroove Magazine, Destinations Travel Magazine, New York Daily News, The New York Times and others. She also served as the Oklahoma correspondent for Reuters News Service.
Heide is a public speaker and writing instructor who often speaks to writer groups, college classes and professional organizations. She holds numerous writing honors and served as a media relations professional for non-profit organizations.
Heide is currently a board member of The Society for Professional Journalists Oklahoma Pro Chapter, and is a member of Society for American Travel Writers, Outdoor Writers of America Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association.
Heide is an avid traveler, medieval warrior, hiker, professional bellydancer and Bellydance instructor and kind of a quirky chick who lives in Oklahoma City.
Telling stories is what Kristi Eaton has done for the majority of her life - first as a young writer telling fiction stories from her bedroom. Later, she transitioned to hard news reporter, working for The Associated Press for four years.
Telling stories is what Kristi Eaton has done for the majority of her life - first as a young writer telling fiction stories from her bedroom. Later, she transitioned to hard news reporter, working for The Associated Press for four years.
She has reported or conducted communications work in Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania and North America.
As a strategic communicator, she has acted as an editor and writer for the Fistula Foundation and Alive and Thrive, an initiative to promote positive nutrition practices in West Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Other past and present clients include Sparkle, which makes biodegradable period products; Heifer International; and The Hunger Project.
She has earned media placement for clients in The Associated Press, Thomson Reuters Foundation, Next City, TechCrunch, Devex and elsewhere.
Andrew Griffin is a professional journalist and author with for over 30 years’ experience in unbiased factual reporting including 12 years as an editor and news director.
His special focus includes politics, American and regional history, business, pop culture, conspiracy background, investigative pieces, and live event coverage.
He was al
Andrew Griffin is a professional journalist and author with for over 30 years’ experience in unbiased factual reporting including 12 years as an editor and news director.
His special focus includes politics, American and regional history, business, pop culture, conspiracy background, investigative pieces, and live event coverage.
He was also the publisher and owner of Red Dirt Report from July 2007 to March 2020.
The website was dogged in its coverage of Oklahoma news, politics, entertainment, sports, and opinion. It was recognized statewide as a respected, unbiased and factual source of information about things going on in Oklahoma and beyond.
He self-published his first book: Rock Catapult: 1966 – The Launch of Modern Rock & Roll. (West Marie Media / 2018).
He recently finished writing a novel – Talbot Finch and The Stilwell Enigma.
Dr. Mark Hanebutt is professor of journalism in the department of mass communication at UCO. A native of Evansville, Indiana, he holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Evansville, a master of arts degree in English from the University of Central Oklahoma and a juris doctor degree in law from the Oklahoma Cit
Dr. Mark Hanebutt is professor of journalism in the department of mass communication at UCO. A native of Evansville, Indiana, he holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Evansville, a master of arts degree in English from the University of Central Oklahoma and a juris doctor degree in law from the Oklahoma City University School of Law.
Dr. Hanebutt was named to the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame in 2024. He has worked for newspapers in Indiana and Florida, including The Orlando Sentinel, as a reporter, magazine writer, syndicated feature writer and editor. His work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country.
He is the author of The Journalist’s Primer: A No-Nonsense Guide to Getting and Reporting the News (Kendall Hunt 2023).
He teaches courses in news reporting and media law. His research areas include reporting, law, history, ethics and propaganda.
Allison Herrera joined APM Reports in November 2023 as a senior reporter. She previously covered Indigenous Affairs for KOSU in Tulsa.
She received an Emmy Award nomination for her work on a Reveal investigation that centered on criminal justice in Oklahoma.
Herrera also produced a podcast with Bloomberg. The podcast, In Trust, won a 2023
Allison Herrera joined APM Reports in November 2023 as a senior reporter. She previously covered Indigenous Affairs for KOSU in Tulsa.
She received an Emmy Award nomination for her work on a Reveal investigation that centered on criminal justice in Oklahoma.
Herrera also produced a podcast with Bloomberg. The podcast, In Trust, won a 2023 Loeb Award. It investigated how federal policies over the last few decades resulted in the transfer of mineral rights from members of the Osage Nation to white owners. The podcast won a Loeb Award.
Herrera also reported for PRX’s The World, where she investigated the global surrogacy industry in Ukraine and the issue of reproductive rights in Argentina.
For Colorado Public Radio, she worked as the climate and environment editor.
Herrera’s Native ties are from her Xolon Salinan tribal heritage; her family’s traditional village is in the Toro Creek area of the Central California coast. She splits her time between Minnesota and Oklahoma.
Lionel Ramos is an award-winning investigative journalist dedicated to uncovering systemic issues and holding institutions accountable. As State Government Reporter for KOSU, Oklahoma City’s NPR member station, he leads coverage of the Oklahoma State Capitol, delivering in-depth reporting on policy, governance, and its impact on communiti
Lionel Ramos is an award-winning investigative journalist dedicated to uncovering systemic issues and holding institutions accountable. As State Government Reporter for KOSU, Oklahoma City’s NPR member station, he leads coverage of the Oklahoma State Capitol, delivering in-depth reporting on policy, governance, and its impact on communities.
Before joining KOSU in 2024, Lionel was a Report for America corps member at Oklahoma Watch, where he specialized in investigative reporting on race, equity, and marginalized communities. His work tracked the political rise of Latinos in Oklahoma, the challenges faced by Afghan refugees resettling in the state, and the legal implications of the landmark Supreme Court rulings affecting Indigenous rights. His commitment to in-depth, high-impact journalism earned him First Place in the Defending the Disadvantaged category at the 2023 SPJ Fort Worth Pro Chapter’s First Amendment Awards, recognizing his reporting on vulnerable populations.
In 2025, he was selected for the National Press Foundation’s "Widening the Pipeline" fellowship, a program dedicated to fostering diversity in journalism.
Abigail Siatkowski is KOSU’s digital producer. She joined the newsroom in August 2024.
Siatkowski was born and raised in Oklahoma City. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in communication and a minor in information and media literacy.
While in college, Siatkowski worked for the student newspaper, the Daily Bruin, as the editor of its qua
Abigail Siatkowski is KOSU’s digital producer. She joined the newsroom in August 2024.
Siatkowski was born and raised in Oklahoma City. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in communication and a minor in information and media literacy.
While in college, Siatkowski worked for the student newspaper, the Daily Bruin, as the editor of its quarterly magazine and later its managing editor. She received first place at the 2024 California College Media Association Excellence in Student Media Awards in the Best Print Magazine category. She also led The Bruin through its coverage of the campus encampments in spring 2024.
Previously, Siatkowski has reported for Los Angeles Magazine and the Los Angeles Times, covering the music industry, the environment and events in Los Angeles.
Wendy Suares is co-anchor with Adam King of the KOKH FOX 25 News at Five and 5:30, the FOX 25 News at Nine, and the FOX 25 Late Edition.
Wendy arrived on the Primetime desk in 2013 after co-anchoring the FOX 25 Morning News. Prior to that, she was a morning anchor and reporter at KARK, the NBC affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Wendy has e
Wendy Suares is co-anchor with Adam King of the KOKH FOX 25 News at Five and 5:30, the FOX 25 News at Nine, and the FOX 25 Late Edition.
Wendy arrived on the Primetime desk in 2013 after co-anchoring the FOX 25 Morning News. Prior to that, she was a morning anchor and reporter at KARK, the NBC affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Wendy has earned Associated Press awards for public affairs reporting as well as for news photography, covering everything from Hurricane Katrina to cold cases from the Civil Rights era. Wendy's passion for fair and hard-hitting political reporting developed as she covered the Mississippi state legislature for WLBT and 5 other television stations.
A native of Biloxi, Wendy began her career as an anchor and reporter in 2004 at WXVT, in Greenville, Mississippi.
Wendy graduated cum laude from Emerson College in Boston. While earning her bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism and Political Communications, Wendy co-anchored and reported for the Associated Press' "College News Station of the Year."
Wendy has traveled extensively. She spent a semester in college studying in The Netherlands. She played college tennis at Emerson and continues to play competitively when she can. In her free time, you'll find her enjoying live music or hitting up one of OKC's fantastic restaurants.
Dr. Philip Todd is a longtime journalist and media scholar with more than 30 years’ experience in newspapers, magazines, textbooks, reporting, editing, design, radio, and instruction.
He is an instructor in journalism and student publications advisor at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Ind. He has taught at the University
Dr. Philip Todd is a longtime journalist and media scholar with more than 30 years’ experience in newspapers, magazines, textbooks, reporting, editing, design, radio, and instruction.
He is an instructor in journalism and student publications advisor at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Ind. He has taught at the University of Oklahoma, St. Gregory’s University, University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University among others.
Todd has presented and published work on topics ranging from media pedagogy and ethics to musicology. His University of Oklahoma dissertation was named the 2020 Penn State Davis Ethics Award winner for best media ethics-related research.
In addition to causing whatever trouble he can in Indiana and Oklahoma over the past 20 years, he also serves as copy editor and consultant for Peace Studies, a quarterly publication of The Peace and Justice Studies Association; and does publicity and planning for ProgDay, an annual outdoor progressive rock festival in North Carolina.
Beth Wallis is StateImpact Oklahoma's education reporter. She joined the collaborative in December 2021, initially focusing on environment and science reporting.
Beth holds two degrees from Oklahoma State University. After teaching band at a public school for five years, she pursued another degree — this time in journalism at the Universit
Beth Wallis is StateImpact Oklahoma's education reporter. She joined the collaborative in December 2021, initially focusing on environment and science reporting.
Beth holds two degrees from Oklahoma State University. After teaching band at a public school for five years, she pursued another degree — this time in journalism at the University of Oklahoma.
Previously, Beth was a student reporter for KGOU and the Oklahoma Daily.
In April 2021, she worked with Next Generation Radio, reporting on the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre. The digital journalism and audio training project was a collaboration between KOSU and the OSU School of Strategic Communications.
Beth is also a News21 Fellowship alum, and the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists, Professional Chapter awarded her first place for At the Seams podcast. It chronicled the community of Norman, Okla. during calls to defund the police, recalls of local politicians and ongoing threats and harassment.
Mindy Ragan Wood is a freelance writer and reporter with more 20 years of media, journalism and management experience Her areas of focus include infrastructure, municipal government policies and human services with an emphasis on the needs of intellectually vulnerable and physically challenged adults.
Mindy has covered the state Legislatu
Mindy Ragan Wood is a freelance writer and reporter with more 20 years of media, journalism and management experience Her areas of focus include infrastructure, municipal government policies and human services with an emphasis on the needs of intellectually vulnerable and physically challenged adults.
Mindy has covered the state Legislature for the Oklahoma Voice; was a senior staff reporter for The Norman Transcript; staff writer for the Yukon Progress; and managing editor for the Shawnee Outlook, Ada Hub and Connection magazines.
While at The Norman Transcript, she covered the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's proposal to construct a turnpike extension in east Norman, including related litigation. This included allegations that the turnpike authority violated the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
ADOPTED MAY 14, 1999
AMENDED FEBRUARY 21, 2025
ARTICLE I – DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1: “Chapter” shall refer to the professional chapter of the national society headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla.
SECTION 2: The name of the chapter shall be The Oklahoma Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists
SECTION 3: Meetings shall mean regularly scheduled or special meetings authorized by the Board of Directors
SECTION 4: “Members in good standing” shall mean those members who are listed by the national chapter as being current in payment of their local and national dues. Currently there are no local dues.
ARTICLE II – MEETINGS
SECTION 1: There shall be a regular meeting of the chapter each month, and a meeting of the Board of Directors each month, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors (“Board”), and the time and place shall be fixed by the Board. The Board shall also be authorized to call special meetings of the chapter and the board.
SECTION 2: Notice of each meeting of the chapter shall be by mail, telephone, e-mail or other communication to the last known address or telephone number of each member in good standing of the chapter at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting.
SECTION 3: Notice of special meetings of the Board shall be given to each member of the Board and each Chapter officer at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of such meeting, and shall be given by mail, telephone, e-mail or other communication.
SECTION 4: Emergency meetings of the Board may be conducted by telephone or e-mail means.
SECTION 5: For purposes of conducting business of the Board, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the officers and directors then holding office. All actions of the Board shall be by majority vote of the officers and directors present once a quorum has been established.
SECTION 6; For purposes of conducting business of the Chapter as a whole, a quorum shall consist of no less than one-sixth (1/6) of the total professional members in good standing. All actions shall be by majority vote of the professional members in good standing who are present at any meeting at which a quorum has been established.
SECTION 7: Approval of Chapter by-laws and amendments thereto, and changes in chapter dues, shall be proposed at one meeting and voted upon at a subsequent meeting, after at least seven (7) days notice of the subsequent meeting has been given to all members in good standing of the chapter.
SECTION 8: Meetings shall be conducted by Roberts Rules of Order.
ARTICLE III – OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The officers of the chapter shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and they shall perform the functions customarily associated with such titles. Each of these officers shall be elected during the May meting, take office immediately, and serve a term of two (2) years. Officers may serve consecutive terms. Immediately following the election, the secretary shall notify the national headquarters of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the new officers elected and the date they take office. Vacancies may be filled by appointment of the president, or by vote of the chapter as a whole, as determined by the Board.
SECTION 2: At least two (2) months prior to the meeting at which the annual election is to occur, the president shall appoint a committee consisting of three members in good standing to nominate officers and directors to be voted on at the annual election. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the time of the election.
SECTION 3: The president may appoint other committees, either standing or temporary, as s(he) deems necessary.
ARTICLE IV – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1: The Chapter shall have a Board of Directors which shall be responsible for direction and planning of all the Chapter’s activities, including, but not limited to membership and attendance, planning, programs, meetings, convention representation, approving financial reports and expenditures, or authorized by the Board, cooperation with national chapter headquarters in all matters furthering the goals of the Society and the Chapter, and other activities deemed necessary by the Board or the Chapter as a whole. The Chairman shall designate persons to carry out these duties, subject to approval of the board.
SECTION 2: The board of directors shall consist of 10 members, including officers. One-half of the board members shall be elected at each May meeting to a two-year term. Board members may serve consecutive terms. Vacancies shall be filled by a vote of the board of directors as soon as practical after the position is vacated
SECTION 3: The President shall be chairman of the Board and shall preside at all Board meetings.
SECTION 4: The Board shall meet at such times and places as a majority of its members deems necessary, and in accordance with applicable rules of the national chapter. The Chairman may call a meeting upon his or her own initiative, and must cal a meeting when a majority of the board requests it.
SECTION 5: All Board meetings shall be considered open meetings at which any member in good standing and others invited to speak by the Board may participate.
SECTION 6: Any board member who misses three meetings in a calendar year without providing at least 12 hours written notice for their absence shall be considered derelict of duty and removed from office.
ARTICLE V – CONVENTION ATTENDANCE
SECTION 1: The Chapter may be represented at each national convention by the number of delegates authorized by the national chapter headquarters. Each delegate shall be elected by the Board.
ARTICLE VI – DUES
SECTION 1: The amount of local dues to be paid by each member of the chapter shall be fixed by the Board, subject to ratification by the membership. Dues shall become due and payable at the beginning of each calendar year.