Gilcrease Division - (918) 591-4100

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Jamaal Nash-Dyer is a Tulsa native and graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. After graduation, he was awarded a vocal music scholarship to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication with emphasis in Broadcast Journalism in 2008.

Jamaal returned to Tulsa after graduating because he wanted to help the young people in his community overcome adversity, understand their worth and become successful. Although his degree was in Journalism, he felt that his true calling was to help people. Thus, he began working in education and behavioral health. 

Jamaal obtained a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Langston University and is currently the Student Success Coordinator for Tulsa Public Schools. At Tulsa Public Schools, he recently led the district in organizing the Black Wall Street Awareness Bowl and the Youth Entrepreneur Expo, which provided ways for young people to learn about the history of Black Wall Street and continue the legacy of entrepreneurial excellence. Jamaal also serves as Senior Pastor of Friendship Church.

Jamaal is actively involved in many civic, religious, and professional organizations. He says he strives to make the community equitable for all people. 

Jamaal also serves on the Board of Directors for Greenwood Cultural Center and Tulsa Legacy Charter School. 

Jamaal is an advocate for education and liberation. He says he believes in being the change you want to see! Jamaal is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.

Outside of work, Jamaal enjoys spending time with his wife, Kimberley Dyer, and their two children, Gracelyn and Jamaal Dyer II.

Jamaal’s life motto is: “Your gifts are not about you. Leadership is not about you. Your purpose is not about you. A life of significance is about serving those who need your gifts, your leadership and your purpose.”

Wes Alexander was born and raised in Tulsa and attended Edison High School and the University of Tulsa. As a lifelong Tulsan, Wes is proudly involved with local business as the Director of Sales & Marketing for Marshall Brewing Company. 

Wes and his wife Kari make their home in north Tulsa along with two kids and one lazy Labrador Retriever. 

In his free time, Wes enjoys cycling and wood working like his namesake grandfather, uncle and father. 

Christopher Lester is a Merchandising Manager for Lowe’s, but comes from a background in business and finance. Christopher has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration BS/BA, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership.

Christopher says he has been involved and fully vested in the growth and development of the Tulsa Community. 

Christopher currently works as a member of Prince Hall Shriners and Freemasons, he’s the NAACP as the State Co-Chair for Economic Development, and he’s a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Christopher proudly served in the United States Army for eight years, and he is a combat veteran.

Christopher says he has a passion for seeing the growth of Tulsa and is committed to the cause through homeowner education, mentor programs, and fostering community relationships with the police force. 

Tim Newton is originally from Los Angeles, California. He graduated from the Georgie Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering as well as a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University.

Tim and his wife Nichole have two children and enjoy serving the north Tulsa community together as a family.

Tim is the Executive Director of the Tulsa Dream Center and is also the Founder & President of Drexel Academy, a privately funded tuition-free elementary school in north Tulsa.

Tim represents the Gilcrease Division in his work with the Community Advisory Board. Tim says he felt compelled to serve on the board in order to be the voice of the silent majority in the community.

Tina Peña is a professor at Tulsa Community College where she has been working for the past 30 years. She teaches Community and Medical Interpreting for the 

Interpreting/Translation Certificate Programs that she created 20 years ago. She is also the former Chair for the National Board of Medical Interpreters, a  former Oklahoma State Representative to the IMIA, and presently serves several local, state and national boards to improve lives of underserved populations.

Ms. Peña’s past work with immigrant students has earned her the “Oklahoma Human Rights Award,” “Orgullo Peruano” and among many, “The Pinnacle Award in Education.”

Gretchen Guillette has spent her career working in the for profit and non-profit sector building strategic alliances, directing programs, and facilitating efforts for social change.  She is a connector – connecting people and resources to meet a vast array of social and economic needs of the Tulsa community. 

She has more than 20 years’ experience in non-profit work and holds an MBA from University of Tulsa and a BA in Psychology from University of California, Berkeley. Gretchen is the Director of Community and Partner Relations at The Common Good Tulsa in NW Tulsa. 

 Maria Barnes is a Tulsa Native. She and her husband have three children, all of them grown, all of them Tulsa natives who currently still call Tulsa home.

Maria has worked in the Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood for 35+ years. She currently serves as the Community Outreach Director at Crosstown Learning Center, Inc.

Maria served two terms as Tulsa City Councilor for District 4. She also currently serves on the Life Senior Services Board.

After many years of service to Tulsa, Maria says she wants to serve on the Citizen’s Advisory Board to look into policies, procedures, and to help give citizens of Tulsa a voice.