By Laurie Winslow
Copyright © 2013, The Tulsa World
Several local entrepreneurs received Driller statuettes Thursday night as winners of the Tulsey Awards.
The sixth annual awards ceremony was held at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame to recognize entrepreneurial heroes, pioneers and innovators who significantly impact the local economy.
More than 5,000 votes were cast online in the publicly driven competition, which honored Gina Bradford of Bradford Technology Services as the 2013 Tulsey Award Entrepreneur of the Year.
The community had been invited to electronically submit nominations in several categories, and voting for the nominees took place from Oct. 16 through Nov. 8. All entrepreneurs nominated and accepted into the public voting process also were automatically entered into the Entrepreneur of the Year category, which went to the nominee who received the most votes.
The online contest is separate from the Tulsa Community College StartUp Cup, which is sponsored by the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation. It takes place over several months and includes a rigorous coaching process for some entries. StartUp Cup winners were announced Tuesday.
Bradford has been in the information technology sector for more than 20 years. She began her career as a software developer at American Airlines’ Sabre Group and progressed through the organization to become vice president, according to her LinkedIn page.
At American Airlines, Bradford led the development teams on some game-changing products in the industry such as the creation of Travelocity.com. She said she has worked for other Fortune 500 companies and has also held high-level positions at three Tulsa companies.
Last year, Bradford opened Bradford Technology Services, which focuses on website design, Internet marketing, creative services and information technology strategy for small to medium-size businesses.
The Tulsey Awards is part of Tulsa Global Entrepreneurship Week, which is coordinated by the City of Tulsa Economic Development Commission, Entrepreneurship Committee. Countries across six continents are celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week, which continues through Friday.
Laurie Winslow 918-581-8466
2013 Tulsey winners
Above & Beyond: Carlos Moreno, Auryn Creative
Arts & Entertainment: Clark Weins, Circle Cinema
Civic: Adele Beasley, Heavenly Bread Co.
Emerging: Chase Healy, Prairie Artisan Ales
Executive of the Year: Tom and Angie Green, IDL Quad Group
Interactive: Gina Bradford, Bradford Technology Services
Restaurateur: Ruthie Young, Queenies Café & Bakery
Serial: Joshua Lynch, The Doghouse/Okie Tone Records
Service Provider of the Year: Nathan Pritchett, Fab Lab Tulsa
Young Entrepreneur: Christine Sharp-Crowe-Made, The Indie Emporium Shop
Click here to read the article at the Tulsa World website
