Barry Bickle to chair 2011/2012 United Way Campaign

 
Barry Bickle, Senior Vice President of Eastman National Bank will serve as United Way campaign chair for the upcoming 2011/2012 campaign. 

Bickle is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and the Indiana University of Executive Management Program. He is currently employed and serves on the board of directors at Eastman National Bank after retiring from Conoco in 1999 with 27 years in finance. Barry has a long history of volunteerism in Ponca City which goes beyond his involvement with United Way. Barry has served on the board of several non-profit organizations, was Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1999 and served on the OSU Alumni Leadership Council. He is currently President of the Opportunity Center Foundation Board, serves on the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Board and is presently first Vice President of the United Way Board of Directors.  

With the campaign approaching, Barry is working with United Way Executive Director, Melissa Young, to start setting goals, update accounts, and create new ideas to make this a successful campaign. As campaign chair, Bickle will lead UW of Ponca City’s volunteer cabinet as well as the loaned executives and more than 50 campaign volunteers who provide pledge packets to local businesses. Bickle will serve as United Way board president in 2012. 

“United Way is such an important part of our community. I’m committed to the goals of campaign to help support our member agencies as well as insure that each and every individual has the opportunity to give.” states Bickle. “It is also important to educate the citizens as to the needs of the agencies and what else United Way does to improve lives and build stronger communities,” continues Bickle. 

 “We are very fortunate to have Barry at the helm during these challenging economic times,” states Pat Mulligan, President of United Way of Ponca City. “He has the leadership skills, drive and desire to strengthen our community. I am confident that our campaign will be successful under Barry’s leadership.” 

Barry has been married to his wife Lois for 43 years they have two sons, two daughters-in-law, five grandchildren and one grandchild on the way.

For information about United Way, its member agencies, other sponsored programs, or how you can help, stop by 205 N. 2^nd St., call 765.2476, or check out the website at www.unitedwayponcacity.org.