State Chamber Director Dick Rush is strong on Oklahoma commerce.
Richard P. Rush came from a newspaper background with a journalism major from Southern Illinois University, he was destined for good things, and his accomplishments, speak for themselves. To him the success of any business is based on good policies and great business practices with a solid foundation that enables any corporation big or small to create opportunities. Rush believes Oklahoma as a state does not possess a recession proof economy, but its low cost of living and high quality of life, has contributed enormously to make the economy attractive and very competitive with other states, including those with larger markets and denser populations.
According to Rush, the citizens of Oklahoma want and deserve ‘change’, something that goes beyond the recent political campaign key phrase. In his own words, Mr. Rush expresses that Oklahoma’s citizens, and the business community, have grown weary of obstacles to a prosperous future. “We need to focus our resources on developing an educated and skilled workforce that is ready to meet the demands of a global economy, ensure that our infrastructure is strong and work to improve the health of our citizens. We are the state’s business advocates, a lobbying organization that works for businesses ensuring that good laws are passed. Our mission is to make Oklahoma the state of choice for business. We must hold the line on taxes, squash rampant lawsuit abuse, develop rural Oklahoma, repair the state’s roads and bridges, improve education, provide quality water, protect business incentives and reform workers’ compensation laws.”
According to Rush, in order to improve our business sense in Oklahoma, we need to acknowledge, educate and support the small businessman as well as the large corporations.
Rush admits that there is a lot of work to be done, that the business community is the engine of prosperity, but not everyone is aware of this, to him a penny spent by the business community is a penny earned by our citizens. Oklahoma is becoming the mecca of business growth with the ease of business know how, low taxes and very little political interference. To Rush, in comparison to many other states where he has worked, Oklahoma still shines above them.
A great part of that approach is the RIED (RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) that reports the evaluation of business, industry and economic growth issues considered by the Oklahoma Legislature.
A Board of Directors elected by the membership governs the Institute. Any business, partnership, corporation, association or individual whose application for membership is approved by the Board may become a member upon payment of dues.
Members are eligible to serve as officers and participate on committees.
Institute research creates a profile of each legislator’s individual voting record regarding business, industry, jobs and economic growth issues deemed important by the private sector. Rush clarifies that the institute is non-partisan; it does not lobby issues nor support any political agenda, yet it is a powerful tool for business assessment and growth.
Rush is currently the CCE (Certified Chamber Executive) and has served as President and CEO of The State Chamber, Oklahoma’s Association of Business & Industry since September 1986. Under his leadership, The State Chamber has done a tremendous job representing Oklahoma businesses at the state and federal levels of government, saving business millions of dollars in unjust laws and regulations.
Prior to coming to Oklahoma, Dick was Regional Manager of the United States Chamber of Commerce Southwestern Regional Office, headquartered in Dallas, for nearly six years and spent four years with the California State Chamber of Commerce as a specialist in developing a Legislative Action Program for Small Business.
His 31-year chamber career began at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. He later assumed the position of Executive Vice President for the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce.
Dick received his CCE designation in October 1989. The State Chamber became the first state chamber in the nation to be accredited in December 1990, and re-accredited in 1995 and 2000.
As a project advisor for the U.S. Chamber’s Center for International Private Enterprise, Dick served as a consultant to the National Chamber of Commerce in Zimbabwe, Africa.
He was named: “Executive of the Year” 1999 by the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives Association.
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