Bob Funk to be Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame
OKLAHOMA CITY - May 23, 2017
Express Employment Professionals CEO and chairman of the board, Bob Funk, now joins other remarkable Oklahomans as one of the newest members of the 90th class of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
Founded in 1927, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame was created to honor Oklahomans who have made outstanding contributions to the state during their lifetime and to provide educational programming for students of all ages. Being inducted to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is the highest honor an Oklahoman can receive from the state. Notable past inductees include OKC Thunder basketball player Russell Westbrook, singer Vince Gill, actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, meteorologist Gary England, businesswomen Sharen Jester Turney, baseball player Mickey Mantle, and actor Will Rogers. Each member's biography and accomplishments are featured in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame gallery and archive.
"I am unbelievably humbled by this nomination and consider it a great honor to be recognized alongside other legendary Oklahomans," Bob said. "The people of Oklahoma are very dear to my heart and it's been a privilege to invest in their future."
The achievement was marked with a celebration at Headquarters on Thursday, May 18, with some of Bob's favorite things.
Bob has been a proud Oklahoman for more than 50 years and has made significant investments in the state's economy, education, agricultural community, and business developments. He founded Express Employment Professionals in 1983 and established its international headquarters in Oklahoma City. As CEO and chairman of the board, Bob led the company to more than 770 franchises, $3.05 billion in sales and employed more than 510,000 annually in the U.S., Canada, and South Africa.
The newest Hall of Fame inductee serves on a number of boards in Oklahoma, including Chairman of the OKC Chamber of Commerce, the Oklahoma Youth Expo, and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. He also sits on the board for the American Staffing Association, FFA, and several banks.
The Journal Record named Bob Most Admired CEO in 2013, while Impact OKC recognized him as Man of the Year in 2015. Bob's passion for education earned him the honor of 2017 Business Leader of the Year from the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE).
Nicknamed the "Doctor of Hope," the Express CEO has contributed millions of dollars to local nonprofit organizations and scholarships. This includes a donation of $1.5 million to the Oklahoma Junior Livestock Program and more than $3.8 million to nearly 415 participants in the Express Ranches Progressive Junior Scholarship Program. He also started a $5 million endowment to the Oklahoma Youth Expo to invest in agricultural education.
"Giving back has always been one of the pillars of Express Employment Professionals," Bob said. "It's not just about building a successful business to help the local economy, but also providing hope for people through employment and investing in our communities."
In addition to his passion for staffing, Bob enjoys raising Angus and Limousin cattle on nearly 200,000 acres of land as part of the Express Ranches. The Yukon, OK, ranch houses rare black-and-white Clydesdales, which serve as ambassadors for Express and make more than 200 appearances annually.
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held later in the year on November 16.