By Carol Mowdy Bond
Contributing Writer
Otis Davenport says he was honored to be recognized after being named the Yukon Chamber of Commerce “Ambassador of the Year.”
Davenport received the award at the Jan. 31st Yukon Chamber Gala & Awards Banquet at the Palace Event Center, 2310 N. Banner Road. A video presentation about Davenport served as the official announcement of his award.
Davenport joined the Yukon Chamber two years ago. He began volunteering and attending Chamber events. As a result of his high visibility, the Chamber asked if he wanted to be a Chamber Ambassador. So, Davenport applied, and the Chamber approved him.
Yukon Chamber Ambassadors use a monthly point sheet to record their participation in Chamber and community endeavors. Points are applied to activities, including attending luncheons, Chamber Community Coffees on Fridays, new business visitations, and ribbon cuttings.
At year’s end, the ambassador with the most points receives the Ambassador of the Year Award.
Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Davenport graduated from Capitol Hill High School. He served four years of active-duty military service, and then worked at Tinker Air Force Base for 32 years. He began as a machine tool operator, working his way up to supervisor.
He then worked in engineering, again moving up to supervisor. Following that, Davenport worked in contracting, and then worked for four years on the Tinker commander’s staff
Davenport earned an associate degree in business from Rose State College. He also studied industrial engineering through a government higher education program.
With his wife Barbara, Davenport has four children, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Barbara works at Joe Cooper Ford.
Now retired from his government career, Davenport serves as the Oklahoma secretary for an international non-profit, Fraternal Order of Eagles.
With a motto of “People Helping People,” grounded in fraternalism, civic pride, leadership, and charity, members strive to improve their communities to make life better for everyone.
Davenport and his wife have been members for almost 20 years.
“We want to start a new chapter of this in Yukon,” Davenport said. “You need 50 men and 50 women to do that. Now we have 20 to 30 people signed up.”
