First woman chair of Tulsa Port Authority

 

For the first time in the history of the City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority, a woman has been named Chair of the Board.

Deanne Dutton Hughes, who has served on the Board since 2021 is the first woman to hold the position with the Port Authority in its 54 years of operation. She has an extensive background in environmental engineering.

“It’s always an exciting time at the Port,” Deanne said. “I look forward to what these next few years hold.”

“Tulsa Ports is a very dynamic, interesting place. There is a lot of investment happening here that will be important for the region as a whole and for future generations,” Deanne said. “I’m excited about the position in which the Port finds itself – with innovative rail and waterway opportunities in Catoosa to transformative developments in Inola.”

According to an announcement by the Port authority, she was a key driver in pushing forward major infrastructure projects to strengthen the region including development of the Verdigris Southern railroad to overseeing the kplanning of a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility at the Port of Inola.

“Both the staff and board at Tulsa Ports are invested in growing the organization and the industries here,” Deanne said. “We have board members who are thoughtful, staff who work hard, and members of the Port community who want to provide opportunities to develop young Oklahomans. Everyone shows up as their best selves and come with the best interests of the Port in mind.”

Leading with Purpose

Deanne’s professional career spans over three decades in environmental engineering and project management. With a focus on process improvements and internal innovation in her role as Director of IT Systems at McElroy Manufacturing, Deanne’s expertise aligns with and bolsters the Ports’ vision for strategic economic development and workforce opportunities in Catoosa and Inola.

From earning her engineering degrees at Stanford and the University of Tulsa to growing opportunities through  projects across multiple states, Deanne’s journey has been one focused on building strong futures for the next generation.

Her commitment to community development goes beyond her professional work, as evidenced by her current and former involvement with organizations like The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma, the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, the University of Tulsa Board of Trustees, and the City of Tulsa’s Infrastructure Development Advisory Board, to name a few. For Deanne, making an impact means engaging with the community at every level.

JWith an extensive background in environmental engineering, a forward-thinking approach and a history of leadership in volunteer roles, Deanne brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role.
We’re fortunate to have her valuable insight and experience guiding future Port endeavors, and we couldn’t be more excited! Click here to learn more about Deanne and the impact she’s making at Tulsa Ports.

A very special thank you to our outgoing chair, Mr. Dewey Bartlett, for his dedication to leading the Port Authority Board the past three years. We are grateful for his commitment to the Port as he continues to serve as an important member of the board!