ABOUT US

Chris McCabe is a fourth generation Tulsan and has lived near Creek Council Oak Tree for seven years with his wife Erin and their five children. He serves as the President of Riverview Neighborhood Association and has been instrumental in the formation of this diverse team of Tulsans who are passionate about the protection, preservation and promotion of Tallasi. Chris believes deeply in the power of community engagement to impact positive societal change, to rectify historical trauma, and to create safe neighborhoods.

RaeLynn A. Butler is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and serves as the Secretary of Culture and Humanities at the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She oversees the tribe’s efforts to promote, protect, and preserve Mvskoke and Euchee language, culture, history, arts, and cultural resources. She served as the manager of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Department for nine years and has extensive experience with repatriation and sacred lands protection. RaeLynn earned a Master of Science degree in Botany and Plant Pathology from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Haskell Indian Nations University.

Hannah Middlebrook is a fourth generation Riverview Neighborhood resident who grew up with stories of the Creek Council Oak Tree through the years. Her grandmother, Mary Leech, fought alongside Chief Dode McIntosh to resist developers eager to cut the tree down, and learned from an early age that the tree should be treated with the utmost respect and care. Hannah, whose ultimate personal goal is to see Creek Council Oak Tree Park and Stickball park returned to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is thrilled to be a part of this group dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection of the tree. Hannah is the Executive Director of Operations at All Souls Unitarian Church, and mum of three young adults with husband, Chris.

Lauren is a fifth generation Tulsan and an avid outdoors enthusiast. After graduating from The University of Tulsa in 2018, Lauren worked as the Communications Manager for Gilcrease Museum and Director of Communications for Tulsa Regional Tourism before going into PR consulting. Lauren is on the team to combine her love of nature with her passion for telling Tulsa’s story to those unfamiliar with the city’s diverse history.

Forester, Arborist, and lifelong Tulsan, Richard is on board to speak for the needs of the tree throughout the process of elevating its stature in our community. Retired from a career managing the urban forest, Richard has been a volunteer and served with Up With Trees and other statewide organizations advocating for the care, preservation and promotion of Oklahoma’s urban forests.

Jason, a Tulsan since September 2020, is deeply committed to revitalizing the city. In just three years, he has served on the Riverview Neighborhood board, invested in multi-family properties, and launched a B2C SaaS business. His passion and love for the Riverview neighborhood, and for community development, centers around the Creek Council Oak Tree, a powerful symbol of Tulsa's heritage, and its potential to inspire the city's future.

Cody Dinsmore is a surety bond sales executive for American Surety with over 15 years of experience. Cody graduated from The University of Oklahoma in 2006 with BA in Public Relations and a minor in environmental conservation. Cody worked at Yellowstone National park in Wyoming and for the Bureau of Land Management overseeing recreational parks in central Oregon. Cody is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and an advocate for environmental conservation and sustainability and lover of trees.

Melissa Williams - Welch has been the lead Community Coordinator Native Raising Natives Project for the nonprofit organization The Euchee Butterfly Farm for the last 8 ½ years. Prior to working for the Euchee Butterfly Farm, she worked for the Muscogee Nation for 11 years in community outreach. She is Muscogee Creek and Cherokee, and a graduate of OSUIT & Rio Salado College. Melissa has always enjoyed being an advocate for her community & surrounding communities on the Muscogee Creek Reservation. She believes it is an absolute blessing to be a part of the TCCOTF team that shares the same passion to share the beautiful history and preservation of the outstanding Creek Council Oak Tree. She is excited to assist in native plant restoration and creating more pollinator gardens surrounding the tree. She enjoys spending time with her husband Mark & 3 daughters, loves watching her daughters play softball, hunting, gardening, and working on her 50-acre farm.

Bio coming soon!