OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has welcomed nine new members to its Board of Trustees and named a new board president, Lee Ann Bratten DeArman.
Appointed to serve three-year board terms are Katie Archer, architect and project manager at REES Associates, Elk City; Michelle Blosch, founder of Blosch Tutoring, Tulsa; Carter Jennings, founder of Carter Jennings Law Firm, Oklahoma City; Raegan King, volunteer at Vian Public Schools, Vian; Dr. Terry L. Mills, owner and principal of Strategic Health Consulting, Tulsa; Dr. Ronald S. Ramming, president of Connors State College, Warner; Dr. Mike Simpson, superintendent of Guthrie Public Schools; Michael Stopp, managing partner of Swift Creek Consulting, Tahlequah; and Michelle Sutton, attorney and lobbyist at Capitol Resource Group, LLC, Broken Arrow.
“The foundation is truly honored to welcome this group of knowledgeable, enthusiastic supporters of public education to our board,” said OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody. “We look forward to the fresh perspective and expertise they bring, which will help us advance our mission and strengthen our impact across the state.”
DeArman, who leads talent and employee engagement initiatives for the University of Oklahoma Foundation, is a 1992 recipient of OFE’s Academic All-State Award. A Midwest City High School graduate, she received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Oklahoma before heading to Scotland as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar and earning a graduate degree from the University of Glasgow. She has previously worked in the corporate sector, holding various corporate communications and culture roles at Sonic, Chesapeake Energy, Enable Midstream Partners and VSP Vision, and for the University of Oklahoma. She leads the JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Committee for the Leadership OKC Alumni Board.
DeArman, who will serve a two-year term, is the third consecutive Academic All-State alum to be elected OFE board president and the fourth former All-Stater who has held the office. Previous alumni who served terms as president are Andrew J. Morris of Oklahoma City, Jami Rhoades Antonisse of Oklahoma City and Anil V. Gollahalli of Park Ridge, Illinois.
Founded in 1985, OFE is a statewide nonprofit that recognizes and encourages excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. One of the keys to OFE’s success is the leadership of its trustees. These leaders in business, education and public service represent every region of the state and help promote the foundation’s mission and its programs.
More Information on the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence’s New Trustees
Katie Archer, Elk City
An architect and project manager at REES Associates, Katie Archer is devoted to giving back to her community. She has participated in Class II of Leadership Elk City, Class 35 of Leadership Oklahoma, was a founding board member and mentor with ElkUp and serves as treasurer of the Elk City Education Foundation. Archer is involved in the City of Elk City School Board as well as the Elk City Carnegie Library Board. She serves on the Rees Employee Stock Ownership Plan Board as well as previously serving on the REES Board of Directors and is a senior associate with the firm. She has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Oklahoma City University. Archer is the daughter of longtime OFE trustee Susie Thurmond.
Michelle Blosch, Tulsa
Michelle Blosch has almost 20 years of experience as an educator and is passionate about improving educational opportunities for students. After graduating from Northeastern State University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, she taught for seven years at Bixby Public Schools’ Central Elementary. Since her departure from the classroom, she has worked as an instructional coach for classroom teachers and a case facilitator for mentor coaches. In 2013, she opened her tutoring company, Blosch Tutoring, where she continues to work with students and collaborate with fellow teachers to help students remediate and advance their skills.
Carter Jennings, Oklahoma City
A past recipient of OFE’s Academic All-State Award, Carter Jennings has long been dedicated to the pursuit of educational excellence. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from the University of Oklahoma and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Jennings previously served in the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, the Garfield County District Attorney’s Office, and as a prosecutor for the Multi-County Grand Jury with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office. In 2018, he founded Carter Jennings Law Firm, where he now practices criminal defense. Jennings is an active member of Acts 2 United Methodist Church in Edmond, where he has previously served as a trustee.
Raegan King, Vian
Raegan King has always been a passionate advocate for public education. King received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Oklahoma and is a graduate of the OU College of Law. King began a career in development with the OU Athletics Sooner Club and later was named the director of development and alumni affairs for the OU College of Law. As a fourth-generation Vian Wolverine and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, King returned home to raise her family. Today, she works with the children’s ministry at her church, volunteers in various roles at Vian Public Schools and coaches multiple youth league sports teams.
Dr. Terry L. Mills, Tulsa
Owner and principal of Strategic Health Consulting, Terry “Lee” Mills is a physician executive driven to improve the functioning of the healthcare system and experience of care for patients, caregivers and clinicians. His prior positions include senior vice president and chief medical officer of CommunityCare, a provider-owned regional health plan. He also previously served as administrative medical director of Ascension Medical Group in Tulsa and as medical director of patient care systems at Via Christi Health in Wichita, Kansas. Mills retired from the U.S. Army Reserves in 2020 after a 23-year career. He received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and his Master of Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a Certified Physician Executive and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He completed his residency in family medicine in Waco, Texas, and in addition to family medicine has been board certified in clinical informatics as well as hospice and palliative care. A 1988 Academic All-Stater, Mills was a founding member of the Academic All-State Alumni Association.
Dr. Ronald S. Ramming, Warner
Dr. Ronald S. Ramming became president of Connors State College in April 2017 after being appointed interim president in April 2016. A CSC graduate, he has worked at the college since 1990. He began his career on the faculty in the agricultural division and has served in many roles, including director of distance and extended education, dean of enrollment services, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, and senior vice president for academic and student affairs. Ramming was raised in Hinton on his family’s farming operation and attended Hinton Public Schools. Upon earning his associate’s degree in agriculture from CSC, he transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Ramming earned his Master of Science in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. in agricultural education from OSU. Ramming is active in the community and serves on several boards and advisory committees.
Dr. Mike Simpson, Guthrie
A 33-year veteran educator, Mike Simpson became superintendent of Guthrie Public Schools in 2012. He previously taught and coached at Apache and Blackwell, served as director of athletics and activities for Stillwater Public Schools, and was assistant superintendent of Ponca City Public Schools. Simpson has a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Arts in Kinesiology from Sam Houston State University, and he has completed his doctorate in education. Simpson was named Superintendent of the Year in 2024 by the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators. He was a four-time District #3 Regional Superintendent of the Year. He is currently a member of the board of directors for the organization. He has previously served on the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association board of directors and the board of trustees of the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System. Simpson served in the capacity of board chair on both boards.
Michael Stopp, Tahlequah
Michael Stopp is managing partner of Swift Creek Consulting, a technology broker bringing 21st-century solutions to American Indian tribes in the areas of physical security, cyber security, cyber risk management, energy development, economic development and healthcare. Stopp is actively involved in the sports world as a commissioner for the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission and as an advisor to Derek Schiller, president and CEO of the Atlanta Braves. He runs a nonprofit in partnership with the Braves and the NFL to bring opportunities to Native American athletes. Stopp is the former chief of staff for Sen. Markwayne Mullin and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Michelle Sutton, Broken Arrow
Michelle Sutton of Capitol Resource Group, LLC, provides consulting services for clients at the state and federal levels. These consulting services include lobbying, legal analysis, grassroots coordination and association management. In addition, she is an adjunct professor, routinely teaching administrative law and American government. She also provides Legislative 101 seminars that explain the procedures by which a bill can become law, as well as the intersection of politics and policy within the process. She is responsible for passing numerous legislative measures, including a bill for the American Cancer Society that authorize the recycling of unused prescription drugs from nursing homes. Sutton has been inducted into the Broken Arrow High School Hall of Fame as a Great Graduate and has been chosen by the Journal Record as one of 50 women in Oklahoma making a difference. She is a member of Leadership Oklahoma and is president of the OSU Department of Political Science Advisory Board. Sutton is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
