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About Express

Robert A. Funk

Founder and Chairman

Robert A. Funk is chairman of the board, chief executive officer, and founder of Express Employment Professionals. Prior to founding Express, Funk gained extensive experience with Acme Personnel Services, beginning as a personnel consultant and then rising to first vice president.

Funk graduated from Seattle Pacific University (SPU) with a bachelor's degree in business administration and theology. He completed his graduate studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and received his master's degree in business administration and theology from SPU. He holds three honorary degrees: an honorary doctorate of public service from SPU, awarded in 1995; an honorary doctorate of law presented by Oklahoma Baptist University in 2000; and an honorary doctorate of law presented by Southern Nazarene University in 2001.

Professional Memberships and Honors

  • Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen, Federal Reserve Bank System, 2007
  • Chairman of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, serving the 10th district, 2006-2007
  • International Franchising Association (IFA), board member
  • IFA's Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2000
  • IFA's Educational Foundation, board of trustees
  • Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI), board of trustees and charter honoree
  • SMEI Hall of Fame, inductee
  • National Association of Personnel Services Hall of Fame, inductee
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield, board member

Community Involvement

  • Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, active member and former chairman
  • Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) board of trustees, member and former chairman
  • Business Affairs Committee at OBU, chairman
  • President's Council at OBU, lifetime member
  • Business Advisory Council for Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts, member
  • Oklahoma Independent College Foundation, board member
  • Allied Arts Circle Club, co-chairman
  • National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, past president and chairman of the board
  • Prix de West Society, member and chairman of the awards committee
  • The University of Edinburgh’s James Clerk Maxwell Patron’s Club, member
  • Oklahoma Youth Expo, chairman

Express Ranches

  • Leading Angus cattle producer
  • #1 largest seedstock producer in America
  • Dozens of national champions in the show ring
  • Renowned artificial insemination operation
  • North American Limousin Foundation, board of directors
  • Oklahoma Limousin Breeders Association's Lifetime Achievement Award, 2001 recipient
  • International exporter of genetics
  • Oklahoma State University's Department of Animal Sciences Distinguished Service Award, 2005 recipient
  • North American Limousin Foundation, past president
  • Honorary Angus Foundation, National Junior Angus Association, inductee
  • National Stockman’s Hall of Fame, inductee

Express Sports

  • Express Sports Agency, owner
  • Oklahoma City RedHawks Minor League Baseball team, majority owner
  • Professional Bull Riders Tour in Oklahoma and Tulsa, managing promoter