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NSO Announces New Board and Officers for 2023-2024
Neighborhood Services Organization (NSO) officially announced the incoming 2023-2024 board members and officers on July 1st, 2023. NSO’s new board officers include Derek Sumner as Board Chair, Steve Ford as Chair-Elect, Mike Robberson as Treasurer, Heather Howerton as Secretary and Kati Christ as Past Chair. The new incoming board members include Wesley Burt, Carol Clark, Kerry Cox, Derek Dixon, Shawna Dixon, Breanna Hites and Jessi Jackson.
Derek Sumner is the Senior Supervisor of Production & Facilities Engineering for Devon, supporting the capital programs throughout the U.S. and has been with the company in 2012. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science and Engineering in 2008. During his tenure with Devon, he has received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma and become a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Oklahoma.
“When I was looking to give back to our community, I was searching for an organization that was making a positive impact and demonstrated the values of the Good Samaritan. NSO exemplifies what it means to be a good neighbor and I am honored to help advance the agency’s mission.”
Dr. Steve Ford is co-founder of ZFI Engineering Co, a firm specializes in structural condition assessments, strength and serviceability failure investigations, and repair and strengthening projects. He is involved in several professional organizations and has served as Chairman and National Director of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in Oklahoma, President of the Structural Engineering Council of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Concrete Institute.
Mike Robberson is the Senior Vice President at Kirkpatrick Bank in Oklahoma City and has been in the banking industry since 1983. He is, a member of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Central Oklahoma Homebuilders Association. Mike previously served on the Board of Directors for NSO for 12 years, The Salvation Army in Norman, Oklahoma for six years and The Salvation Army in Ardmore, Oklahoma for three years.
Heather Howerton is a Mortgage Loan Officer at First Liberty Bank with more than 25 years of experience working in financial institutions. Throughout her career, Heather served in various capacities with several community organizations including Infant Crisis Services, Bella SPCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement and the OK Innocence Project.
Kati Christ has served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Banking Manager of Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City since December of 2016. Kati is the recipient of the Journal Record’s 40 Under 40 Award, a prior JOR Woman of the Year Honoree, and participated in Leadership Oklahoma City Class 32, SALLT Class 14 and numerous company-sponsored leadership classes including BOKF E3, focused on Executive Leadership and BOKF Leadership Perspectives.
Longtime NSO CFO, Ken Stephens, Retires
After 22 years with the agency, Ken Stephens has officially announced his retirement from NSO.
“There’s a time and season for everything and, while I hate to go, a little new blood might not hurt NSO. I’ve had so many good times and a few difficult times, but all in all I’ve really enjoyed it. I know NSO will move onward and upward, and I’ll be watching and cheering them on.”
Stephens is a native Oklahoman and was raised in the Oklahoma City area. He received his Bachelor’s of Business Administration in 1970 from Oklahoma State University. Stephens has been a certified public accountant for almost 50 years years and prior to coming to Neighborhood Services Organization worked in several other industries including public accounting, health care, manufacturing and telecommunication.
Stephens joined NSO in 2001 and has been instrumental in building a strong fiscal organization. He was awarded the Journal Records Top CFO’s in the nonprofit category in 2014. He also helped the organization through its 3.1 million dollar capital campaign, that built the current NSO headquarters in 2015.
Stephens has been married to his wife for fifty years and together they have three children.
“Ken’s hard work and dedication to the NSO mission is a testament to the organization’s growth. Ken has strived to ensure that our organization has exceptional financial integrity. His 22 years of service has left a long lasting legacy and impact on our organization, and the people we serve.” – Stacey Ninness, NSO President and CEO
Stephens will leave the agency at the end of the month, but has already started his succession process. In April, NSO hired Kimberly Burt as the new CFO and she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position.
Originally from Arkansas, Burt received her Bachelor’s of Accounting from Louisiana Tech University and her first goal out of college was to become a CPA. She worked in public accounting for several years and from there she moved to a healthcare nonprofit where she was for 10 years. She also worked in oil and gas and manufacturing. Burt decided that she wanted to return to the nonprofit sector and was excited when she found the CFO position with NSO.
“I am proud to serve as CFO for NSO and look forward to supporting the growth of the agency. By providing transparent and accurate financial statements we can ensure our donors feel confident in our commitment to fiduciary responsibility.”