Mayor & Trustee Marilyn Murrell - Mayor Mayor Marilyn Murrell was born and raised in Arcadia, Oklahoma. After leading a successful 4-year legal battle to reestablish the identity of Arcadia as an official town, Marilyn Murrell was elected Arcadia's first mayor in May of 1988. She has been reelected to the post four times. She was instrumental in creating town ordinances, establishing the police and fire departments, a municipal court system, and other required governmental entities for town management. Mayor Murrell has been a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Black Mayors and the National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) since 1988. She has served in numerous positions with both organizations. She served as President of the NCBM during the 2002-2003 year, the second woman to hold the position of president.   During her tenure she initiated several programs to enhance the capabilities and improve the resources available to member mayors. In 1999 Mayor Murrell participated in a diplomatic trip where mayors from the United States met with national and local elected officials in West Africa to share experiences and methods of governance.  The countries visited were:  Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and Ghana.  The delegation also participated in the 5th African/African-American Summit (later renamed the Leon H. Sullivan Summit) in Accra, Ghana.  The Summit attracted nearly 5,000 participants and over 2,000 observers, including Heads of State and official delegations from more than 40 African nations, prominent African Americans, government officials, executives and professionals from all around the world. Participants came together to focus attention and resources on Africa’s economic and social development. In 2003, she helped to organize and currently serves as Chairman of the National Small Town Alliance, a nonprofit organization with a mission of assisting small and rural communities throughout the country to improve growth and development through technology, education and advocacy.   A major project of the National Small Town Alliance is the the development of computer labs and distribution of computers to small towns and non-profit organizations.  Ms. Murrell serves on the Advisory Board for N.E.W. Leadership, a special project of the Carl Albert Center at the University of Oklahoma.  N.E.W. Leadership encourages and mentors young women interested in entering the world of politics and public service. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Women's Foundation of Oklahoma, an organization with a mission of providing funding, advocacy and supports to organizations that improve the status of women and girls in Oklahoma. Other memberships include the Board of Directors for Youth Services for Oklahoma County, Inc., NAACP, and the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. Mayor Murrell has served on many local and state boards and commissions representing her community. Those organizations include the Oklahoma Municipal League, Oklahoma Conference of Mayors, Central Oklahoma Regional Economic Development Task Force, ACOG 911 Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Oklahoma Rural Development Council. Ms. Murrell's professional career spans more than 30 years as an advocate for small businesses and as a business consultant providing management and technical assistance to small and minority businesses.  Ms. Murrell worked for the Minority Business Development Center (MBDC) in Oklahoma for more than 20 years and served as the Executive Director from 1985 until 1990.  After leaving the MBDC, she opened her own consulting firm, M & M Enterprises.  Currently she serves as the CEO of M & M Business Consultants and Team One Consultants, consulting firms providing business management and technical assistance.  Since 1990 she has served as the chairman of the Oklahoma Consortium for Minority Business Development, Inc.  In 1995, Ms. Murrell was an Oklahoma delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business in Washington, D.C. A lifelong member of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Arcadia, she serves as a steward, stewardess and church school teacher. Marilyn Murrell has three adult children: Monica, Alfred and Cypreanna, and one grandson, Taylor Duncan.      Her Awards/Activities Include: 2003: Participated in First African American Leadership Summit sponsored by the Senate Democratic and Congressional Black Caucuses (Washington, D.C.) 2003: Spirit of Women Award by Oklahomans for Indian Opportunity 2002: Woman of the Year by St. James A.M.E. Church 2001: Participated in an intensive 3 week Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. 1998: Award of Excellence by Miss Black Oklahoma Committee 1998: Leadership Award by Arcadia Historical & Preservation Society 1998: Governor’s Award: “Contributor to the State of Excellence” by Governor Henry Bellman 1998: Keeper of the Dream Award by the Oklahoma Tribune Newspaper 1989: Outstanding Service Award by the Arcadia Dunbar School Reunion

Town Trustee Blanche L. Jacobs - Trustee Blanche Jacobs was first elected a Town Trustee in 1986. She was born and raised in Arcadia area and is a widow of Curtis Jacobs with 4 Adult children, 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She is retired after working 30 years primarily in hospitals, institutions providing care for the elderly and children. Also, retail sales. Memberships & Affiliations are many. In the St. James A.M.E. Church in Arcadia, positions include Steward, Stewardess and Choir Member. At the Eastern Star Chapter Jernigan Chapter #103 O.E.S., current positions include the Conductress and past positions include Choir President of her church, Usher of her church and Sunday School Teacher. Also past Associate Conductress of Jernigan Chapter #103. Other organizations and memberships include Alaraf Court #69 Daughter of Isis and Social Committee. Her hobbies are cooking, taking walks and sewing.

Town Trustee James Woodard - Trustee Mr. Woodard was first elected to Town Trustee in 1988. He was born and raised in Arcadia, married to Ollie, 2 sons - Walter & Marcus, 3 grandchildren - Jasmyne, James & Jordon. He is very active in the town. At the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church he served as the Church Clerk, Sunday School Superintendant and is presently Serving as the Deacon. At The Masonic Lodge,Bright Day Lodge, Number 165 of Arcadia he currently is a Ppast Master and is presently serving as the Treasurer. Past positions include Past Master, Past Senior Warden, Past Junior Warden, Past Junior Deacon, Past Senior Deacon and Past Tyler. At the Great Western Consistory #34 his current position is Grand Commander for the Council of Kadosh. With the Prince Hall Shriners he presently is serving as Imperial Deputy of the Desert for the State of Oklahoma. With Alaraf Temple #20, he pPresently serves as advisor to the Illustrious Potentate and as a member of the Alaraf Temple Drill Patrol. Past positions include Past Potentate, Past Assistant Rabban and Past Recorder.

Fire Chief Doris Hardimon- Fire Chief Doris became Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department in October of 1999. She was born and raised in Arcadia, married to Clarence Hardimon and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. She retired after working 30 years for General Motors. She is an active member of the St. James A.M.E. Church in Arcadia with positions currently held through out the community as Steward and Young Adult Director of her Church. Past positions include Steward of her church, Youth Director of the church and Usher of her church.

Town Clerk

Gloria Prim - Town Clerk Ms. Prim was born and raised in Arcadia. She is married to Loren Prim and is the mother of nine children. Ms. Prim was first elected town clerk in 1999 after retiring from a 27 year career as an administrative assistant to Dr. G. E. Finley. Ms. Prim is an active member of the St. James A.M.E. Church in Arcadia. She also served as Co-director of the Community Development for the Town of Arcadia.

Town Treasurer

Shirley Cox - Town Treasurer Mrs. Cox was born and raised in Arcadia and is a member of Mr. Pleasant Baptist Church in Arcadia.  At Mr. Pleasant she serves as a usher and a member of the Mass Choir.  She is active in the Eastern Stars and the Daughters of Isis.  She is married to Bobby Cox Sr., and has four adult children.  She was elected Town Treasurer in 1997 and continues to serve the community in various capacities.