Degrees of Success Podcast

Mautra Jones – My Grandmother Grew Up in a Log Cabin | DOS #001

Join our host, Freda Richards, as she talks to UOPX alum, Dr. Mautra Jones and her journey to becoming the President of Oklahoma City Community College.  Dr. Jones made history, becoming the first woman and first person of color to serve as President of the College.
In 2023, Dr. Jones was named Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEO for public companies by The Journal Record, received the 100 Women to Know Across North America Award, and was named Oklahoma’s Remarkable Woman by KFOR/Nexstar Media. In 2022, she was inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame.  American Mothers, Inc. named her National Mother of the Year and Oklahoma Mother of the Year in 2021.
Dr. Jones advances and elevates each institution she touches and has become one of the nation’s most sought-after thought leaders through her impactful and dynamic leadership.
www.linkedin.com/in/mautra-staley-jones-ed-d-70566b3/
 
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Gary Batara - Success and living life like you want, it’s rent and it’s due every day - DOS #004

Join our host, Freda Richards, as she talks to UOPX alum, Gary Batara, a former French chef who transitioned from the culinary world to the marketing world.Gary grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area to a family of healthcare professionals. When he announced he wanted to become a chef, they were skeptical and disappointed, but they supported him throughout his culinary journey.  Gary spent 2 months in France, where he developed an enduring love of slow food and French cuisine.
Gary’s career as a chef was short-lived and he started working in corporate food service, where he was quickly pegged for a management role.
From there he made his way into the marketing world and finally ended up at Garten, a food service company, as the vice president of marketing.  Gary is also an accomplished author and has written a book called, Lessons to Inspire: Practical Advice from Successful People.
www.linkedin.com/in/gary-batara-bb063451/Book:  https://a.co/d/coaqWvV
 
 

John Kirch - Leadership by example is something I learned as a United States Marine - DOS #003

Join our host, Freda Richards, as she talks to UOPX alum, John Kirch, an American citizen who has been living and working in Lima, Peru for nearly 30 years.John currently serves as the Corporate Health, Safety, and Security Manager for Grupo Gloria, overseeing security operations for more than 20 companies spanning seven countries in Central and South America.  John leads a global team in developing safety policies, conducting risk management assessments, and directing crisis and incident management programs to ensure the protection of personnel, assets, and business continuity.
Earlier in his career, John held leadership roles in aviation security, where he played a pivotal role in implementing post-9/11 Safety and Security measures.  He also served as a United States Marine, attached to U.S. embassies in the countries of Myanmar and Peru.
John earned two degrees from the University of Phoenix, a bachelor’s in organizational security and an MBA.  He did it as a U.S. citizen, while living abroad.
www.linkedin.com/in/john-kirch-mba-7aab1625/

Scott Andrews - No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care - DOS #002

Join our host, Freda Richards, as she talks to UOPX alum, Dr. Scott Andrews, and his journey to becoming New Mexico’s, Dona Ana County manager and CEO.
Scott has 21 years of experience in public sector administration, distinguished by providing progressive vision and decisive leadership to 5 local government organizations in Florida, Georgia, and California.
A native of Tampa, Florida with deep roots in Atlanta, Scott is a first-generation U.S. born citizen and college graduate. His maternal grandparents played a large role in his upbringing, where they helped to instill his work ethic, and his sense of humor.
To honor the memory of his baby daughter, who died shortly after birth, Scott started a non-profit called The Violet Movement, which fosters love, kindness and positive community change through transformative scholarships.
Scott is also an accomplished author and has written a book called, Violet’s are Blue: Finding Relief From Grief and Lessons from Depression.
www.linkedin.com/in/cscottandrews/www.thevioletmovement.com/Book:  https://a.co/d/iKuviup