Rich Cantillon Issues Special ‘Chamber Chat’

In my 24 years of operating a Chamber of Commerce I have always had the best City Managers to work with. I had Sally Norris in Blackwell and she was fantastic.

Then I came to Ponca City, my hometown to be President of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce. Probably the first week I was on the job, I met with our City Manager at the time, Gary Martin. Gary told me that he was here to support me and that we would always be a team working together to make Ponca City a great place to live and work.

Now I have Craig Stephenson. He too has been an incredible partner in our efforts to make Ponca City a great place to live and work. I’m so thankful for that.

But having said all this I’m really going to miss Gary Martin not being part of my life. I will always be grateful for how he treated me and what he taught me. I love his family and we will carry on remembering what an amazing man he was with the Chamber’s Gary Martin Outstanding City Employee award.

Gary Martin lived life to the fullest! I’m thankful that I have so many times of laughter with him and Janet. We always had fun.

My dad told me the most important things in life were family, work ethic and your character. Gary was devoted to his family, had a great work ethic and lived his life with integrity and passion.

Rest in Peace Gary Martin, you will be missed!