Friends of OETA names Chad Richison an OETA Champion
Paycom founder recognized for longstanding commitment to OETA and communities across Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY — Friends of OETA has named Oklahoma business leader and philanthropist Chad Richison an OETA Champion, recognizing his longstanding support of public media and commitment to investing in organizations that strengthen communities across Oklahoma.
The OETA Champion award recognizes individuals and organizations whose leadership, advocacy and generosity have helped advance OETA’s mission to educate, inform and connect Oklahomans.
Richison, the founder and CEO of Paycom, established the Richison Family Foundation to support sustainable organizations capable of creating meaningful, long-term impact. His relationship with OETA reflects that philosophy, with support spanning several years and pivotal moments for Oklahoma public television.
“It is a great honor for the Friends of OETA, Inc. to celebrate a generous and visionary leader like Mr. Chad Richison,” said Dr. Garrett King, Board President of the Friends. “Chad’s support reflects a belief in institutions that create lasting value for Oklahoma. His investment in OETA has helped strengthen our ability to educate, inform and serve people across all 77 counties. We are proud to recognize that commitment by naming him an OETA Champion.”
In 2020, the Richison Family Foundation donated $1 million to Friends of OETA as the network expanded its educational services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including curriculum-based programming for Oklahoma students learning from home.
This May, the foundation made an additional $500,000 program-underwriting investment to support OETA services, including PBS KIDS early learning programming, “Oklahoma News Report,” educational and digital resources and OETA’s statewide public safety infrastructure.
“OETA is an essential resource for Oklahoma families, and I’m proud to support its work in communities across the state,” said Richison. “Public broadcasting creates lasting value, and OETA continues to make a meaningful impact for Oklahomans.”
Richison’s support of OETA is part of a broader commitment to Oklahoma. Through the Richison Family Foundation and other philanthropic efforts, Richison and his family have supported organizations working in education, children’s services, food security, mental health, healthcare and the arts.
“Chad’s support has come at moments when it has had an extraordinary impact on our ability to serve Oklahomans,” said Shawn Black, executive director of OETA. “What makes that support especially meaningful is the shared belief behind it: that strong communities depend on access to education, trusted information and resources that improve people’s lives. We are grateful for his partnership and proud to call him an OETA Champion.”
Friends of OETA and OETA leadership presented Richison with the OETA Champion award during the Friends of OETA board luncheon on Aug. 25.
Previous OETA Champions have been recognized for exceptional advocacy and support of public media and its role in education, public safety and civic life.
###
About Friends of OETA
Friends of OETA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds and supports the activities and programs of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority by receiving, investing, managing and expending non-state-appropriated funds and properties.
About OETA
OETA provides essential educational content and services that inform, inspire and connect Oklahomans to ideas and information that enrich their quality of life. OETA serves communities across all 77 Oklahoma counties through educational and public television programming, local productions, educational resources, community outreach and digital services that encourage lifelong learning.
For more information, visit OETA.tv.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Mullins
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
OETA
405-841-9212
jmullins@oeta.tv
