ABOUT US

Mike Branan, Chief Executive 

Michael “Mike” Branan was born and raised in Muskogee and went on to become a 1991 graduate of Muskogee High School. Mike attended Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton where he attained his associate’s degree.  He later continued his education at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah earning a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. In 1993, Mike started working for Walmart and continued with them until March of 2018. During his time at Walmart, he worked in many areas of the stores and various roles of management in buildings in Muskogee, Sallisaw, Stillwell, and Tahlequah. Mike served for 5 years as the Workforce Operations/Compliance/Procurement Manager, and Equal Opportunity Officer.

Contact: mbranan@greencountryworks.org/eo@greencountryworks.org or (918) 456-8846 ext. 219

  Ashley Arenivar, Chief Operations Officer

Tamara Peachey, Equal Opportunity Officer

Tamara joined the Green Country Workforce Development Board in 2023 as the Business Services Manager and was promoted in 2024 to Compliance, Performance, ETPL, and Workforce Policy Manager. She brings over 25 years of executive leadership experience, guided by a strong leadership philosophy and a deep understanding of developing local policies and procedures aligned with WIOA guidelines. Her meticulous attention to detail, coupled with her extensive background in policy creation and compliance implementation, ensures adherence to both federal and state regulations while addressing the unique needs of our 18-county region. Tamara values core leadership principles while also recognizing the ever-evolving nature of the WIOA landscape. She brings strong emotional intelligence, excellent communication skills, and a proven ability to lead effective teams. Tamara understands the importance of making difficult decisions, when necessary, all while fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. Outside of work, Tamara enjoys connecting with people at the Tahlequah Farmers Market and staying actively involved in her local community.

Contact: tpeachey@greencountryworks.org or (918) 316-6519

Amber Cutshaw, Director of Communications and Business Relations

Amber has a bachelor’s degree in communications and Minor in Multi-Media & Graphic Design from Pittsburg State University. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communications and Minor in Multi-Media & Graphic Design does not come with a defined career path with a setlist of job titles to pursue. Amber realized right away that her passion was helping others navigate the highs and lows of building a career and finding success. She also has a passion for building relationships within the community and a strong desire to help fuel economic development. The realization of these passions led Amber to build a career in Workforce Development.   

Amber relocated from Kansas and started her career as a Career Services Representative for a local trade school in 2013. During this time, she was recognized for being the single most cross-trained employee within the company at that time, maintained a campus 90% placement rate, and started 2 major yearly events that still occur to this day related to scholarship fundraising and career development.

Next Amber moved into a business development role within the nonprofit sector that eventually led her to Green Country Workforce. Amber has a strong track record building meaningful relationships with local companies and community partners so she can identify their needs and match them with skilled individuals to bridge the skills gap our community is facing today.  Amber is pleased to be a part of the Business Services team and looks forward to helping our community by building a strong and capable workforce.

Contact: acutshaw@greencountryworks.org or (918) 796-1297

  Cathy Spencer, Board Liaison

Cathy Spencer graduated from NEO A&M College in May 1970. Cathy has spent her entire work history as an adult as a public servant for the State of Oklahoma. She began her state employment with the OK Department of Rehabilitative Services on July 16, 1970, when an office was officially opened at NEO A&M College. Cathy transferred to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission April 1976 and was employed in all levels of positions until her retirement as Chief of UI Field Operations effective April 1, 2011, due to her husband’s health.

Cathy returned to work part-time on July 2, 2012, as the Executive Assistant at the Northeast Workforce Development Board. Cathy has always felt the need to provide assistance to our customers and the citizens of the State of Oklahoma. Then, she became a part of Green Country Workforce Development Board as the part-time Executive Assistant on July 1, 2025.

Contact: cspencer@greencountryworks.org or (918) 542-2956

Martha Brians, Program Analyst/Auditor

Martha Brians earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Phoenix University. She worked at Muskogee Public Schools as a teacher’s assistance and a Human Resource Officer. After retirement from Muskogee Public Schools, she worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at Oklahoma School for the Blind. Martha started a new career in Workforce as a Career Coach in 2020, connecting with clients and helping them overcome barriers and find success on a new career path. In February of 2023, she joined Green Country Workforce Development Board as a Monitor. Martha has two grown children, Sara (Josh) and Andrew (Kira) and three grandchildren, Adryen, Koraline, and Noah. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her granddaughters play softball and travel.

Contact: mbrians@greencountryworks.org or (918) 869-6723

Larod Snyder, Youth Program Coordinator/Program Auditing Manager/ETPL

Larod graduated from Westville High School in 2011 with a 4.04 GPA and was an active participant in extracurricular activities such as the Cherokee National Youth Choir and served as President of the FFA and the Class of 2011. He also participated in Cherokee Challenge & Language Bowls and worked as an Inspector for Cherokee Nation District 7 and 8 tribal elections.

Larod attended Oklahoma State University as a Gates Millennium Scholar and remained active in collegiate organizations such as the Native American Student Association, Multicultural Affairs Committee & Greek Council, and the Student Government Association. He graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and American Indian Studies, then completed an internship with Adair County Department of Human Services.

After graduation, Larod moved to Tulsa where he served as a Banquets & Catering Coordinator with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino from 2016-2020. In his spare time, Larod volunteered for Oklahomans for Equality and LGBT Advocacy. He moved closer to home during the pandemic, found a passion for non-profit organizations & community service, and joined the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) in Tahlequah, OK as the Data Management and Marketing Specialists, as well as the Cherokee Nation Liaison. With his service and dedication to the AIRC, Larod received the Oklahoma NextGen 30 Under 30 Award in Norman, OK.

In April of 2023, Larod joined the Green Country Workforce -WIOA Program as a Career Navigator and Dynamic Culture Champion. In August 2023, Larod received a promotion into leadership as a Lead Career Navigator and was able to guide and support five frontline staff members. He attended his first Partner’s Conference in October 2023 where he was presented with the Governor’s Award for Oklahoma Workforce Development. In November, he accepted the role as the Eligible Training Provider Coordinator and is currently serving as the Programs Manager for the Green Country Workforce Development Board.

Larod Snyder is deeply rooted in Cherokee heritage, agriculture, and smalltown Oklahoma. From generations of farmers, he also serves as the Cattle Operations Manager for Snyder Cattle Company, the family operations run around two hundred head of beef cattle.

Contact: lsnyder@greencountryworks.org or (918) 404-4392

Chloe O’Hanlon, Program Analyst/Auditor

Chloe is the Program Analyst/Auditor for Green Country Workforce. She was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and graduated from Northeastern State University with a bachelor’s in business administration. She is skilled in Customer Service, Communications, Computer Programs and Data Entry systems. In 2022, Chloe began her journey in the world of Business by being an Administrative Secretary at NSU in Muskogee. Then, Chloe decided she wanted to work closer to home, so she got a job as an Insurance Producer for USAA.      Still, there was something missing, so Chloe applied to Green Country Workforce Development Board for the Executive Assistant position in June 2024. Since then, Chloe has been promoted to a Program Analyst with GCWDB, and she is excited to see what knowledge and experience this position will give her.

 Contact: cohanlon@greencountryworks.org or (918) 457-9354

Jeremy Frutchey, Director of Center Operations/Programs/Finance/Performance

Jeremy Frutchey graduated from Oklahoma State University with an AS in Chemical Dependency Counseling and a BA in Psychology. Jeremy has been working in Workforce Development since 2006, starting with the WIA Youth Program at Payne County Youth Services in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Jeremy has worked for several WIA and WIOA Title I service providers before coming to the NEWDB in March 2020, and then moving to the Green Country Workforce Development Board in August 2024. Jeremy has served in numerous roles and capacities during his time in Workforce Development and currently serves as the Operations Manager and EO Officer for the Green Country Workforce Development Board.

Contact: jfrutchey@greencountryworks.org or (405) 269-2821

Amy Spencer, Human Resource Manager, Greenheck

Bobbie Wolf, Owner/CEO, Heavy Metal Training Institute

Cody Cox, Regional Office Director, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission

Cody Cox currently serves as Vice President of Field Operations for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. Cody began his career with OESC in 1998 and has held various positions including Workforce Specialist, Center Manager, Area Manager, and Director of Field Operations. Cody graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

He was a City Council member and Mayor of Valliant before he moved back to Idabel and became an active member of the McCurtain County Historical Society.  Cody is active in his local church where he has served as treasurer for 20 years.

He is married to Lisa Cox (a teacher with Idabel Public Schools), they have three children and three grandchildren. Cody spends his free time with family, hosting family gatherings, and working outside. 

Corey Sisson, Market President, Firstar Bank

Dee Hays, Principal, Excellence Engineering, A Bowman Company

Diane Kelley, Executive Director, Cherokee Nation Career Services

Dower Combs, Account Executive, Consolidated Communications

Dr. Eloy Chavez, Dean- College of Extended Learning, Northeastern State University

Eric Wells, Director, Southwest Region Services, Trafera

Fran Columbin, Director for Adult Education, M-Power Coordinator.  Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology-Okmulgee

Jenny Bentley, VP of Human Resources, Northeastern Health System

Jenny Bentley is the Vice President of Human Resources for Northeastern Health System in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She joined Northeastern Health System in 2019 and currently supports over 1200 employees.  Jenny lives in Locust Grove and has over 19 years of experience in Human Resources in multiple industries including healthcare, gaming, and technology.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a Human Resource emphasis from Northeastern State University and a Master’s Degree in Business from Oklahoma State University.

John Lamont, Store Manager, Walmart Stores Inc.

Karen Pennington, Executive Director, Madison Strategies Group

Karen Pennington is the Executive Director of Madison Strategies Group (MSG), a nonprofit connecting Tulsans with free, quality education and career opportunities.  She is a native Tulsan and a graduate of Oklahoma State University. Karen returned to Tulsa in 2011 and was a part of the original launch team that brought the evidence-based WorkAdvance program to Tulsa in that same year.

Throughout her time at MSG, Karen has been instrumental in establishing key relationships with industry leaders, employers, partners, funders, and researchers.  Under her leadership and guidance, MSG has grown and expanded to operate six workforce programs, all focused on facilitating education and credential attainment to a diverse group of Tulsans seeking positive change in the sectors of manufacturing, transportation, healthcare and IT.

Karen is a passionate proponent of equal access to education for all and is dedicated to using data, innovation, and partnerships to improve the lives of Tulsa families and build a stronger community. Her passion for workforce development, as well as economic development, drew her to the Green Country Workforce Board where she can utilize existing relationships and knowledge, make new connections and develop and share best practices to contribute to a larger part of Northeast Oklahoma than MSG currently serves.

Kathy Adair, Director Business & Industry, Indian Capital Technology Center

Kelly Beyer, Market Manager, Manpower

As a 27-year veteran of Manpower, Kelly Beyer has held several roles within the Manpower organization.  She has worked as a Recruiter, Business Development Representative and Onsite Account Manager.  In her current role as Market Manager, Kelly leads a team of experienced Recruiters towards innovative solutions that address both job seeker and employer challenges and needs.  In addition, she works with organizations to identify and solution workforce challenges such as recruiting and retention.

Ken Busby, Executive Director, Route 66 Alliance

Ken Busby is the Cultural Czar of Northeast Oklahoma. He also serves as Executive Director & CEO of the Route 66 Alliance. Previously, he served as Executive Director & CEO of the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa for twelve years. Prior to that, Busby was the Director of Development for Tulsa Zoo Friends and was with Gilcrease Museum for eight years, serving as Membership Director and Director of Communication. A native of Tulsa, Busby holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and French from the University of Tulsa. He has a Master of Arts degree in journalism from Indiana University at Bloomington. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Busby is also a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Class XVII.

Busby is the past chairman of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust. He is the founding chair of the Route 66 Commission in Tulsa. He also serves on the executive committee of the Tulsa Symphony and Green Country Workforce and serves on the Regional Tourism One Voice Legislative Committee for the Tulsa Regional Chamber. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Tulsa and serves as a consultant in the areas of fundraising, grant writing, strategic planning, and board development for nonprofits across the state. In 2008, Busby received the Governor’s Arts Award for Community Service and the Global Vision Award from Tulsa Global Alliance. In 2011, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Holland Hall. In 2013, the Association of Fundraising Professionals named him its Outstanding Fundraising Executive, and in 2015, Busby was named the Leadership Oklahoma Distinguished Graduate.

Laurel Havens, Executive Director, Muskogee County EMS

Lesli Shoals, Business HR Manager, AEP/PSO

Lesli Shoals is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has 28 years of human resources experience in a variety of industries including staffing, oil and gas, banking, insurance, and utilities. In addition, she’s been employed as a Staffing Specialist, Recruiter, HR Generalist, and is currently the Business HR Manager at American Electric Power (AEP) where she has spent over 17 years directly supporting Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO).  

Lesli serves on the Green Country Workforce board representing the utility sector. In addition, she also serves on the YWCA-Tulsa board where she is the HR Committee Chair. Moreover, she represents PSO as a member of Mosaic, the Oklahoma Veteran’s Alliance, and the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services Employer Alliance. Lesli has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Oklahoma and holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.  

Dr. Peter Selden, Vice President of Workforce Development, Tulsa Community College

Pete Selden serves as the Vice President for Workforce Development at Tulsa Community College where he works across the College’s 38 workforce degree programs and 37 certificate programs that prepare students to go directly into the workplace. He also works to assess workforce needs in the Tulsa area, collaborating with employers and workforce agencies to establish training programs that prepare TCC students for employment. Selden provides leadership to TCC’s 29 community advisory committees that help guide and review the College’s workforce development programs. He came to TCC from Arkansas State University Mid-South in West Memphis, Arkansas where he worked in workforce education for the past 12 years, most recently serving as associate vice chancellor for workforce programs. Selden is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He has earned an MBA from Arkansas State University as well as a B.S. in Psychology and a B.S. in Communication from the University of Buffalo.

Rhonda Archer, Program Manager I, Oklahoma Dept. of Human Services

Dr. Ron Ramming, President, Connors State College

Scott Fry, Director of Workforce Development, MidAmerica Industrial Park

Tammy Taylor, Community Affairs Manager, Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E)

Taylor Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Golden Rule Industries

Ted Jenkins, Training Director, Electrical Workers Apprentice Training Center (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Tulsa Local 584)

Yasmin Avila Guillen, Business Services Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services