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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">We were saddened to hear of the passing of Lou Sims of Hobart. The best part of our job is getting to know some truly remarkable people who get involved in their communities to make a difference.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Lou was one of those.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">He was the driving force behind the success of their local Main Street program when they were selected in 2002. He served on the Board of Directors for 15 years, was Chair of the Design Committee and developed
their storefront restoration grant program. He worked with the city to acquire run-down buildings to resell to investors to renovate and restore, one of them serving as an incubator for business development. The results of his efforts with the Main Street
program resulted in numerous façade renovations, new businesses and a major industry moving to downtown. He was instrumental in the development of the General Tommy Franks’ Leadership Institute and Museum, served as a member of the Oklahoma Main Street Advisory
board and was a board member of the Oklahoma Main Street Foundation. He was also our Legacy Award winner in 2023. And these are just his Main Street highlights.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">He also led a very full, professional life.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sims was enlisted for three years in Army Intelligence, which started a decorated career of service. Louis finished with the Army and became a Special Agent for the U.S. Secret Service. He served and protected
6 U.S. Presidents starting with John Fitzgerald Kennedy and finished under Ronald Reagan.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">He retired from the Secret Service, continuing into a career in the oil industry with Pennzoil. He eventually earned his second retirement as Vice President of Pennzoil. Louis wasn’t quite ready to leave the
workforce after the second retirement and became a Vice President for Career Enserch Exploration in the energy industry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">He returned to Hobart after his third retirement and was a chair or member of several boards (including Main Street) to serve and improve the community, schools, and economy.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sims also served as the Director of Association of Former Agents of U.S. Secret Service for Oklahoma. His career was written at the request of the U.S. Secret Service for the USSS National Training Center
Library. The Secret Service has used his career to teach current and new agents how the USSS has developed since the JFK assassination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Thank you for your service to your country, your state and your community. RIP.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Kelli Yadon | Program Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Oklahoma Main Street Center | Oklahoma Department of Commerce<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#215E99"><a href="mailto:Kelli.Yadon@okcommerce.gov"><span style="color:#215E99">Kelli.Yadon@okcommerce.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">C: 405.778.9375<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#215E99">OKcommerce.gov<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><img border="0" width="176" height="56" style="width:1.8333in;height:.5833in" id="x_Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DC4FF4.5B060D10" alt="signature_168929643"></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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