Longtime business and civic leader Martin Garber is first candidate to announce for the Bartlesville-based state House District 11. The district is currently represented by Rep. Earl Sears, who will term out in 2018.

“Oklahoma’s greatest challenge today is to improve the economy and increase prosperity. Do that, and state government’s financial challenges will quickly melt away,” Garber said. “I’ve spent my life creating jobs, and have been active in policy development. We need more lawmakers who understand both areas, which is why I am running. We cannot afford to continue on the path we are on today.”

Garber is chairman of Garber Properties, which owns and operates several family businesses. He is president of Garber & Associates, a public and governmental relations consulting firm he founded in 2001. He also serves as chairman of G&G Energy LLC and KMM Properties LLC, which owns mineral interests and oil and gas operations in Oklahoma and Texas. He is also a partner in a restaurant company.

He previously served 35 years as an executive with Phillips Petroleum Company. Garber served 27 years on the Board of Regents of Tulsa Community College as an appointee of three different Oklahoma governors. TCC honored Garber last month for his years of service as a member of the Board of Regents. A $25,000 endowed academic scholarship created in Garber’s honor was announced by the college at the retirement reception. Garber is credited with being instrumental in overseeing the development of Tulsa Community College into the third largest college or university in Oklahoma, focusing on student retention and success and the creation of Tulsa Achieves – a gap-funding program serving more than 15,000 students in the past decade. “Education is the way to get ahead in the world we live in nowadays. I am especially proud of the work TCC has done with area employers to meet the demands of the workforce,” said Garber, long regarded as a strong education advocate in the community and state.

Garber has also served on the State Tourism Commission as an appointee of Governor Henry Bellmon. Garber has served as Chairman of the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation and now serves on the Aquarium Operating Committee. The Aquarium has twice been recognized as Oklahoma’s Outstanding Tourist Attraction.

He is a member of the Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the Bartlesville Development Authority, which is responsible for attracting new businesses and retail to the community. He was a leader in establishing the first economic development fund for Bartlesville. Last year, Garber helped start The Bartlesville Education Promise (BEP), and serves as Chairman of the two-year-old non-profit organization. BEP raises private funding to help Bartlesville Schools. It is managed by 11 civic leaders and provides help to at-risk students who struggle in school, through mentorship and tutoring. Programs provided through Bartlesville Education Promise have already benefitted more than 2,000 students. “Improving literacy, providing needed assistance, and increasing the graduation rate in our local schools are three reasons why I volunteer my time and efforts with The Bartlesville Education Promise,” Garber said. “Improving educational opportunities for our young people will help ensure they can be successful in their future endeavors in life,” he added. 

From the June 20th, 2017 edition of the Tulsa World: