Who We Are
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is a not-for-profit organization made up of volunteers who are dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Route 66.
Our Mission
To celebrate and preserve Route 66 in Oklahoma through education, promotion, and advocacy, ensuring the future of the Mother Road while honoring its community and history.
What We Do
We serve as the non-governmental body that coordinates the statewide economic development, enhancement, improvement, preservation, and recognition of U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma. In keeping with our mandate, we generate whatever finances and pressures we can to save Route 66 landmarks from decay or destruction.
We publish our Official Oklahoma Route 66 Association Trip Guide, a magazine-format guidebook that is updated annually and is packed full of valuable information and maps to help travelers explore Route 66 across the state. We also publish a newsletter four times per year that is sent either electronically or by mail to our membership located around the world.
Our Members
We are a member-driven organization. Membership in our Association is open to anyone, from anywhere, that cares about Route 66 and all that it represents. We need people like you to help us celebrate, preserve, and explore this uniquely American phenomenon that appeals to folks from around the world.
Our Bylaws
For more information, read our bylaws at this link: Oklahoma Route 66 Association Bylaws
Our Team
The Association is managed by a team of elected officers and representatives for each county that carries a piece of Route 66. The Association is also administered by an Executive Director. Current members serving in these roles is listed below.
Association Officers
President: Rhys Martin
Rhys lives in Tulsa and fell in love with Route 66 as a photographer first. He became an advocate for the road after attending a bridge preservation event in 2015. Since then he has become passionate about the road, its past, and its future.
Rhys also represents the Association as a member of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, the Route 66 Alliance, the Tulsa Route 66 Commission, and the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission. He is generally available to speak to groups and has helped others plan travel itineraries. He can be reached via e-mail above.
Eastern Vice President: Blaine Davis
Blaine Davis has been closely tied to Route 66 for most of his life. His parents, Hugh and Zelta, built the famous Blue Whale in Catoosa. Blaine served as an officer for the Tulsa Police Department before he retired and returned to the Whale.
For decades, Blaine lived on the property and helped with the upkeep of this beloved roadside attraction. He has a passion for Route 66 and the people on it. As Eastern Vice President, Blaine can often be found out delivering Trip Guides or checking in with people across the region.
(Photo courtesy of David J Schwartz)
Western Vice President: Pam Shelton
Pam is the CEO of the Yukon Chamber of Commerce and served as the Director of Community Education for Yukon Public Schools for many years. She has also served as Main Street Director in several Oklahoma communities. She loves her hometown and its place on Route 66.
Pam keeps tabs on the goings-on in western Oklahoma communities and helps coordinate distribution of Trip Guides.
(Photo courtesy of the Yukon Progress News)
Secretary: VACANT
Blake Sockwell is a native Texan but has lived in Yukon for the past 15 years. Currently, he is a Branch Manager with BancFirst. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter in the beautiful Oklahoma countryside and feels blessed to have found such a great city to raise a family in…one that happens to have Route 66 running right through it!
Treasurer: Blake Sockwell
Executive Director: Julie Akers
Julie Akers lives in Sapulpa and came to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association with many years of non-profit experience, including management, succession planning, and event work. She also serves as the Executive Director of Starlight Concerts in Tulsa and is a graduate of Oklahoma State University.
District/County Representatives
Canadian/Blaine/Caddo District: Debbie Harrison
Creek District: Cindy Lawrence
Custer/Washita/Beckham District: Kathy Schones
Lincoln District: Steve Brant
Oklahoma District: Jaimie Gua
Ottawa District: Amanda Davis
Delaware/Craig/Rogers District: Beth Hilburn
Tulsa District: Susan Yates
At-Large Rep: Richard Stephens
At-Large Rep: Michael Jones