HONORARY DINNER CHAIRS
The Honorable Kathy Taylor
William Lobeck
The Honorable Kathy Taylor
Board Member
Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation
Kathy Taylor has long served as a tireless advocate and change agent for Tulsa. Through decades of steadfast public service and personal investments through the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation, Kathy is known for her dedication to issues that advance the success of future generations.
She recently served Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum as Chief of Economic Development from 2017-2018, drawing from years of experience as a business executive and corporate attorney. It’s an office she knows well, having served as Tulsa’s 38th Mayor herself. Her administration led the way to create afterschool and mentoring programs; launch the City’s first entrepreneur business competition; and revitalize downtown.
Kathy currently serves as Chair of the Leadership Council for ImpactTulsa, Chair for the Regional Board of Reading Partners, sponsor of the USS Tulsa (LCS 16) and a member of the Board of SONIC®, America’s Drive-In®. She previously served as a resident fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, teaching a course on Pathways to Public Service. She is also a former Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce, Tourism and Workforce Development, and was an advisor to Governor Brad Henry as Chief of Education Strategy and Innovation.
William Lobeck
Board Member
Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation
Bill Lobeck began his career in the daily car rental industry in Norfolk, Virginia. He created the first dealer repurchase program and established a special purpose leasing company which today are significant components of current automotive and daily car rental industries.
In 1971, Lobeck became president and CEO of Dallas-based American International. During his 11-year tenure, the company grew from 18 offices in 7 states to nearly 300 offices across the country.
In 1981, Lobeck and partners purchased Thrifty Car Rental. Under Lobeck’s leadership the company’s profitability and growth led to a successful IPO in 1987.
When Chrysler acquired Thrifty in 1989, Lobeck remained as president and CEO. As part of Chrysler, he formed Pentastar Transportation Group and acquired three additional companies, today known as Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. In 1995, Lobeck together with his wife Kathy and partners acquired National Car Rental from General Motors. Lobeck brought National into the AutoNation family, becoming president and CEO of AutoNation’s Rental Group. Lobeck retired from AutoNation in 1999.
In 2003, AutoNation’s Rental Group fell into financial difficulty. Lobeck and Cerberus Capital Management acquired the assets of the companies, bringing them out of bankruptcy as Vanguard Car Rental USA. The company became one of the industry’s most financially successful companies. In 2007, Vanguard was acquired by Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN CENTER FOR RECONCILIATION IS A PROUD MEMBER OF
OUR VISION
To transform society’s divisions into social harmony.
OUR MISSION
In the spirit of Dr. John Hope Franklin, the Center promotes reconciliation and generates trust through scholarly work and constructive community engagement.
© 2024 by John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, Inc.
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