Carol Ervin, the President and CEO of Grow Ada, served as the Economic Development Director for the Atoka City Industrial Development Authority from November of 2017 until coming to Ada in October of 2024. She has prior experience in economic development management roles with the Bartlesville Redevelopment Trust Authority as a Residential Redevelopment Consultant specializing in Tax Increment Financing (TIF). She has over 15 years of progressive community and economic development experience and over 13 years of Tax Increment Finance (TIF) management experience. She was listed as one of the top Main Street Directors in Oklahoma in 2012. Ms. Ervin has a well-established track record in attracting global industries, retail ventures, and advancing community development.

Daniel’s responsibilities include business attraction, retention/expansion, entrepreneurial, and community development strategies.

Prior to coming to Ada, Daniel led civic engagement campaigns and events for Dream Action Oklahoma as their Civic Engagement Coordinator. He was also the Clean Cities Intern for the Association of Central Oklahoma Government’s in which he was responsible for helping increase alternative fuel technologies in the state and created the Bicycle Friendly Business Guide that outlines the needs and benefits of bike friendly practices. Daniel is also the Education Chair for Select Oklahoma where he organizes monthly membership programming and co-chaired the Select Oklahoma conference in 2024.

Daniel holds a Master’s Degree in Regional and City Planning and Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sustainability, both from the University of Oklahoma.

Sunnie Dawn Baker focuses on supporting entrepreneurship in the community. She writes weekly content that highlights entrepreneurs and innovation, as well as programs and events in the community that contribute to the success of an entrepreneurship ecosystem. Sunnie also facilitates workshops designed to help community members start or grow their own businesses, invigorating the local economy and helping people achieve their dreams of entrepreneurship. In addition to these duties, Sunnie also coaches the Conduit Coders, which is Grow Ada’s Youth Coding League team. In 2024, the team made history by being the first to earn the National Championship title in both the middle school and junior high divisions. This initiative helps market Ada to industries looking to relocate personnel to Southeast Oklahoma, as well as developing the workforce of the future.

Peggy Saunkeah has extensive experience in both Oklahoma and Florida, as an executive assistant, office administrator, paralegal, grant manager, teacher, and Director of East Central University’s Career Center.

Peggy has been the Chair of Ada’s Take Part: Beautification and Infrastructure Task Force since its formation in 2013. She is a charter member of the Pontotoc County Coordinated Community Response Team and is a member of several other associations and councils, both locally and statewide. Most recently, Saunkeah was appointed as a member of the Commission of Ministry for the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma.