Staff Info

The Oklahoma Marriage Initiative is a project of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). When the Initiative was first formed, OKDHS made the determination to contract with an outside firm to serve as the Project Manager for the project. Public Strategies, Inc. (PSI), an Oklahoma-based project management firm, serves that function for OKDHS and manages all OMI programs and services under the department's leadership.

The staff at PSI is dedicated to the mission of the OMI and works diligently to grow this social service prevention project so that needed services are implemented. Each employee brings a unique professional background and perspective to the OMI team.

Please take a moment to learn more about the individual members of our team.

	Mary Myrick – Founder and President Over the past 18 years, Mary has dedicated her career, and her business, to revolutionizing the strategic planning process related to programs for youth and families in Oklahoma. In true entrepreneurial spirit, Mary worked relentlessly to turn her public relations and event planning firm, Public Strategies, Inc. (PSI), into a leader in project management, training, technical assistance and strategic planning.
	Sammye Norvell Cravens – Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer With a pen in her hand and a positive attitude in her heart, Sammye Cravens is answering the tough questions daily. Revered as an instrumental part of Public Strategies, Inc. (PSI), Sammye runs the day-to-day operations of the company and manages all details – large and small. Sammye enjoys taking on the challenging task of reviewing and approving all contractual obligations for PSI.
	Kendy Cox – Director of Service Delivery System Bright, articulate and dependable are words to describe Kendy Cox, Director of Service Delivery for the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative (OMI). Kendy offers a fresh outlook to PSI and provides steady supervision to a team of project managers, community relations specialists and technical assistance coordinators tasked with developing and growing marriage education services across the state of Oklahoma.
	Jack Myrick – Project Manager As a project manager for the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative (OMI) Service Delivery System (SDS) Jack Myrick’s graciousness and warmth have become contagious throughout the walls of Public Strategies, Inc. (PSI). Always on hand with new ideas, Jack is committed to developing innovative strategies for serving Oklahoma’s couples.
	Scott Roby — Project Manager Mr. Roby oversees services offered throughout Oklahoma in a partnership with the Oklahoma Association for Youth Services. In addition, he manages aspects of trainings and presentation feedback to the OMI’s volunteer network and liaisons with the Department of Human Services field offices regarding implementation of the Within My Reach curriculum.
	Ilena Varner — Technical Assistance Supervisor Ms. Varner oversees the ongoing technical assistance provided to a network of more than 2,500 OMI volunteer workshop leaders, while also coordinating training opportunities throughout the year.
	Carrie Wolf – Technical Assistance Coordinator carrie.wolf@okmarriage.org Ms. Wolf provides support and technical assistance to volunteer workshop leaders, while also assisting with training and workshop coordination.
	Debbie Bell – Community Relations Specialist Ms. Bell focuses on increasing awareness of and access to marriage and relationship education services in communities throughout Oklahoma.
	Amanda Carter – Community Relations Specialist Ms. Carter develops community relationships to expand services, while also planning and executing large-scale workshops in the Tulsa area.
	Alicia Clark – Community Relations Specialist Ms. Clark cultivates relationships throughout central Oklahoma to establish sites for ongoing workshops and partners with organizations and individuals who strive to strengthen marriages and families.
	Robert Davis — Community Relations Specialist Mr. Davis works closely with volunteers, agencies and community groups in the Oklahoma City area to coordinate ongoing marriage and relationship education workshops and large-scale events for couples.
	Kristin Krueger — Service Delivery System Team Administrative Assistant kristin.krueger@okmarriage.org Ms. Krueger provides support for Oklahoma Marriage Initiative workshops and trainings and coordinates couple registrations for relationship education services.
	Lauren Mattox — Community Relations Specialist Ms. Mattox coordinates workshops for and outreach to agencies and community groups throughout Oklahoma, with an emphasis on developing service strategies in the university setting.
	Adilia McManus — Latino Community Relations Specialist (Bilingual) Ms. McManus works closely with members of Oklahoma’s Hispanic community to establish sites for ongoing workshops and to partner with organizations and individuals for the delivery of large-scale workshops to the community.
	Janet Ross — Data and Research Coordinator Ms. Ross is responsible for administration, maintenance, monitoring and coordinating development of the Management Information Systems, as well as data analysis and report creation for the OMI and FE.
	Lizbeth Silva — Technical Assistance Coordinator (Bilingual) liz.silva@okmarriage.org Ms. Silva provides support, training, and technical assistance to OMI volunteer workshop leaders in eastern Oklahoma and assists with services for Latino couples.