Ardmore Young Professionals (AYP)

After moving back to Ardmore after several years away, I worked out of town and was very removed from our community.  I struggled to get involved as “an outsider.”  Community service has always been an important part of my life and I wanted that to be carried on but continually found myself missing out on opportunities.  So, I joined AYP in order to get involved with other professionals and be introduced to service opportunities in our area.

 It is so important that those of us able and willing to help do so.  Get out and help – volunteer time at the animal shelter or local schools, donate to United Way and other organizations who help those in need, take coats and clothing to the designated drop off-sites, pick up litter around our streets and parks, be a voice for someone/something that can’t speak for itself!  We need to teach each other and our children that we must be good stewards of our earth, neighbors, community, and own self.  Join groups, like AYP, that help to better our community.

Make a difference.

Sara Donaho-Jones

As a native to this area, Sara grew up just north of Ardmore on her family’s cattle ranch which offered her the opportunity to learn firsthand about hard-work, dedication, and determination.  After graduating from Oklahoma State University, Sara moved to Nashville, TN for a few years thanks to the recruiting efforts of J. Alexander’s Restaurant Corporation.  When it was time to start a family, it was time to move home.  After working numerous years in hospitality administration, she made the jump to the medical industry first working with 3M IMTEC’s dental implant division and now working with Mercy in Business Development and Clinic Administration.

Sara loves to travel with her daughter, Abigail, and husband, Danny.  The family recently purchased their own heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration company – Airtech, based in Ardmore; serving all of south-central Oklahoma and specializing in commercial refrigeration.  In her free time, you can find her knee-deep in her flower gardens or curled up reading a good book.

Dr. Sarah Veazey

I am a native of this town.  This doesn’t just mean I grew up here, it means both my parents grew up here, as did both of their parents, and I’m pretty sure a few great grandparents were here for the groundbreaking.  As I’ve learned, this does not make me special; in fact I can probably name off the top of my head 10 others just like me.  

When I moved back home from Optometry school, naturally, I assumed there would be no place in the town I could go without running into someone I knew.  This was wrong.  I had been gone for 10 years, and a whole new group of faces were walking the streets of Ardmore. 

I can remember going to my first Ardmore Young Professionals function and not knowing a single face.  I was there for five minutes and promptly left, looking back on this now, I know I should have made an effort to talk to someone.  It wasn’t until months later when a neighbor and AYP President, Keri Roos, invited me to go with her.  She introduced me to her friends and I was left to make my own.  After one event I was convinced to join the steering committee and from there I spring boarded.  The steering committee allowed me to get to know the group on a more one on one basis, where I flourished better than in a large group.  The next year I was the social chair in charge of planning and organizing all social events. 

AYP has done more for me than I could ever repay.  The close friends I have made, the patients I have gained, and the professional contacts acquired through the organization are just a few of the amazing perks.  My AYP friends have supported me in both good times and hard times.  I look forward to my next years on the Ardmore Young Professionals steering committee and the new faces I will meet.

Dr. Sarah Veazey

Sarah graduated from Ardmore High School in 1998 where she was a state champion in tennis and the captain of the cheerleading squad.  She went on to receive her degree in Sociology and Public Relations from Baylor University.  After Baylor, she spent a year at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and then went on to Optometry school at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  While at Nova, she externed at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and completed her degree in May of 2007. 

She is an Optometrist at Clay Optometry, a family owned practice in Ardmore, where she works with her father.  Dr. Veazey sees patients of all ages and treats all different types of ocular diseases.  She enjoys helping each patient with frame selection.  Outside of the office, she serves as District Director for the Oklahoma Association for Optometric Physicians and is a Board Member of Ardmore CASA, the Greater Ardmore Scholarship Foundation, the Noble Scholarship Committee, and Cornerstone. Sarah is a member of the Ardmore Rotary Club and the First Baptist Church of Ardmore. She is a graduate of Leadership Ardmore, as well as past board member of the Ardmore Beautification Council Recycling Committee and YWCA.  She has performed vision screenings throughout Oklahoma and organized the Iris Scanning event at the Carter County Fair in 2010. 

In June of 2010, she married another Ardmoreite, John Veazey.  John is a Trust Officer and General Counsel for First National Bank and Trust Company of Ardmore. John attended Texas Christian University, and since TCU has now joined the Big 12, Sarah and John consider themselves a “house divided.” The two care for their labradoodle, Lilly, and in their spare time enjoy going to movies, cooking, and traveling.  

This year, Sarah completed one of her bucket list items of growing out her hair to donate to Locks for Love.  She is looking forward to setting her next goal and reaching it in the future.  

2012 A2A Water Station Promo

            The third annual A2A Arbuckles to Ardmore Race for Mercy on Sunday, April 1, 2012 is a community-wide event benefitting the new Mercy Cancer Center right here in Ardmore. This event offers a wide range of opportunities for Southern Oklahomans to get personally involved in fighting cancer right here at home. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to make the event a success, and Ardmore Young Professionals is proud to offer our help by manning a water and aid station at the half-way point of the marathon each year. Our volunteers pass out water and snacks to the runners and cheer them on.

            AYP is well-known for making community service fun and this event is no exception. The theme for our station this year is “Margaritaville”. Bring your lawn chairs, dress up Jimmy Buffett-style, and let's have a good time cheering on all the runners! There will be music, excitement, and touching moments as well. This is an unforgettable experience – don’t miss out!

            AYP will be working from 7:00 am to the end of the race. Our water station is located near the corner of Hwy 77 and Hwy 53 East by the County Barn.

            To volunteer, register online at A2AMarathon.com and meet us at our station the day of the race. Our contact is Natalie Graham (580)220-7865. For more information about AYP, contact ardmoreyp@gmail.com.

Now that you've met our officers, we're going to take a break from introductions and tell you a little about some social and service opportunities we have coming up!

First things first...St. Patty's Day!!! We are having our second annual St. Patty's Day party at Cafe Alley on  Friday, March 16th beginning at 5:30pm. This is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with YPs and just relax!

Saturday, April 24th We will meet at Springer School at 4pm to clean up a section of the A2A route. After the quick cleanup we are all going fishing and having a cookout. Once we're full, we are going to paint our cheer signs for the A2A runners! If you are interested in participating in any of these events with us, please send an email to ardmoreyp@gmail.com and we will get back to you! These events are also all on our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/ArdmoreYP

Sunday, April 1st
Join AYP and XTO Energy from 7:00 am - 11:00 am, as we host a water station for the A2A Race for Mercy Marathon. Come pass out water and snacks to the runners and cheer them on! Our water station is at the halfway point of the marathon, near the corner of Hwy 77 and Hwy 53 East by the County barn. Our theme this year is MARGARITAVILLE! Bring your lawn chairs, dress up and let's have a good time cheering on all the runners! Register online at A2AMarathon.com. Our contact is Natalie Graham (580)220-7865.

Hello, my name is Lesley Linney. I am the AYP Chamber Liaison and the AYP Treasurer.

I joined AYP in 2009. I joined the membership committee that same year. The next year I became the Membership Chair. This will be my second year at the AYP Treasurer. I joined AYP so that I could help people and meet other’s my age in Ardmore. I enjoy giving back to the community and helping make Ardmore better. I had also heard that it was a great way to network! I am happy to be a part of a group that utilizes all the member’s experiences and interests to work together through volunteering. Our group has the opportunity to help so many people. It is wonderful! AYP is a dynamic group of individuals with diverse career backgrounds and a passion and commitment to support and grow the Ardmore area. I feel it is important to become part of your own community in order to succeed, as well for the community to be successful. This group not only engages us in the community, but it also builds a strong bond between the members.  Ardmore Young Professionals is an excellent organization that I strongly encourage everyone to join! You will probably make friends for life!

Lesley Linney is originally from Wilburton, Oklahoma. She is employed for the Ardmore Development Authority at the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce. She is also the Ardmore Young Professional Chamber Liaison, Ardmore 2020 Visioning Coordinator, and the AYP Treasurer. Lesley is a graduate of the Greater Leadership Ardmore class of 2010. She is active in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Ardmore Recycling Committee, the Oklahoma Economic Development Council, the Southern Economic Development Council, and The Governor’s Economic Development Marketing Team.She is also alumni of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority at the University of Oklahoma.

Lesley enjoys spending time with her twin sister and niece Linney Ann, Sooner football, Ardmore Tiger football, reading, cooking, and traveling. 

My name is Trey Rateliff and I am the Co-Chair of AYP for the 2012 year.  I began a career with American National Bank almost 4 years ago and had virtually no contacts within the business or professional community.  One of my close friends recommended I attend some AYP events, make some connections, and meet some great new people.  The added bonus to making these connections and friends was that she informed me I WOULD have a good time while doing it.  So I decided to attend a planning meeting for one of the events, our annual AYP MegaMixer.  I ended up being so involved and having so much fun that I Co-Chaired the event with her that year and the following year I was asked to be the Chair of the MegaMixer.

Almost 4 years after I originally joined AYP I was nominated and selected as the Co-Chair of AYP, but more importantly I have a wide variety of close knit friends throughout our organization and community that I would have never met or connected with if not for AYP.  Whether you want to serve some of the greater needs in our area or meet some great new people you will call friends this is the organization for you!  I encourage everyone that may have a desire or passion, even if a small desire or passion, please come to our next FREE event where you can network and meet a great group of people!  This organization has greatly improved not only my social but also my professional life.  All I did was attend and I was engaged and enjoyed every minute of it!  Once you attend and have a great time you will see all the benefits of becoming a member of AYP so please ATTEND so we can show you how networking and serving in our community can be fun!!

Trey Rateliff – Co-Chair

Trey is a graduate of Plainview High School.  He received his Associates in Business Administration at Murray State College and will receive his Bachelors in Business Administration early next year.  Trey is employed with American National Bank where he serves as the Collections Officer.  He has been active with AYP for two years including chairing the 2010 MegaMixer.  He has previously served on the Relay For Life committee, Festival of Lights committee, AYP MegaMixer Committee, and currently serves on the Grace Center Board of Directors as the Vice-Chair.

In his spare time he enjoys relaxing with his fiancé, Chelsi, watching OU football, the Dallas Cowboys, going out with friends, or spending time with family.