Roy Peters appointed to Tulsa Dev. Authority

[DowntownNow]

Tuesday during the Public Works committee meeting, Mr. Roy Peters was before the Council to state his reason for wanting to join the TDA as the Mayor's appointee.  He would take the seat left vacant after George Shahadi's troubled appointment that left him resigning from the position.  

First I was puzzled that he would appear at the Public Works and not the Urban & Economic Development Committee meeting like all other TDA appointees.  The background information presented on the Council website didnt provide much in the way of specfics for Mr. Peter's background. See - http://www.tulsacouncil.org:8080/SuperContainer/RawData//1KK46US1120200844356/08-2051-1.pdf?a=1

And the council didnt ask many questions at all which I was really surpised at given the recent situations regarding the TDA.

This afternoon I received this letter, ostensibly sent to the Council also asking for more information and better vetting:

Gentlemen,

I learned today that Mr. Roy Peters has been appointed by Mayor Taylor to fill the seat of George Shahadi on the Tulsa Development Authority.  I had to watch the Public Works Committee meeting to catch his presentation to the Council for the position, though I thought it was customary that these appointments and interviews are conducted during the Urban & Economic Development Committee meetings as they have been in the past.  

While I do not know Mr. Peters personally, a cursory view of the provided information contained within the "Backup Documentation" left me to wonder his specific background that would qualify him for such a post.  His one page document simply states holding an undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma and a Doctorate from Oklahoma State University but gives no indication as to what fields those degrees were in or the kind of degree awarded.

His briefly described professional experience indicates a strong background in education and management services.  There would appear to be no educational or practical experience background in real estate, construction, development, land management, planning, finance, or economic development (outside of the manufacturing industry).  It has been my observation watching the recent Council Committee meetings that those aspects are what were being sought and preferred in a potential Tulsa Development Authority commissioner.

Additionally, while I applaud Mr. Peter's ability to hold numerous seats on various Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards, will these numerous other responsibilities afford Mr. Peter's the necessary time to dedicate to the position for which he aspires on the TDA?  I ask this in light of the recent findings contained within the HUD audit and the need for more active, informed and involved participation of the commissioners in the day to day operations of the TDA.  

More than anything, I was surprised by the lack of questions for the appointee and the ease with which his interview took place.  I would think in light of recent developments, the Council would lean more to getting better background and take the time to properly vet a candidate.  I won't provide an opinion whether Mr. Peters is someone I would want to serve since I have not been given any in depth information with which to form one (at least not according to what was shown on TGOV or in the provided documentation on the Council website).  I would, however, encourage you to vet this candidate once more and make sure he is the right candidate for the job in fairness and transparency for all.

I'm curious what you all think?  I went back adn watched it and even did a google search with not much else in the way of info.

[inteller]

you DON'T have to have ties or connections to real estate and development to serve on the dev authority.  In fact if he has zero connections to development I would consider that a plus.

I thought he was in bed with the chamber cronies though.

[carltonplace]

Knee jerk reaction: Maybe a new voice is something that might move the TDA forward. It shouldn't matter that his educational back ground isn't a perfect fit as long as he is a problem solver and willing to fight entrenched ideals to move the TDA in a new direction. Of course I could be wrong.

[DowntownNow]

Inteller...yes, he currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Tulsa Metro Chamber as well as several other Boards of Directors and Advisory boards based on a Google search.  The man must have a lot of time available in my opinion with that load.


Carlton...in researching the latest issues with TDA and in partcular the recent HUD audit findings on the TDA, it seems a more qualified indivdual with some background in those areas would be a big help.  I dont understand why ever board member/commissioner has to be picked from the Chamber pool...there is plenty of great, well meaning talent out there that doesnt have ties to those that are pushing development in the downtown area (where the majority of TDA owned property is located).  Add to that the statements made by City Councilors and TDA commissioners that someone should have a critical understanding of the issues that TDA must deal with in working to acheive their goals or redevelopment in blight stricken areas according to urban renewal plans.

Above all, I was just very surpirsed that the Council didnt question the lack of specificity on his one page resume or delve more into his qualifications and desire to want to participate given recent happenings.  I just think anyone should be vetted and not just passed through.  maybe he is a good candidate but based on what was provided and the lack of information at the Council meeting, who does anyone know?  Thats what Im getting at.

[inteller]

i think the rubber stamp on his resume was the chamber involvement.