After nearly three decades of business leadership in Lawton and years of community service focused on strengthening the connection between Fort Sill and Southwest Oklahoma, Janie Billingsley has been selected as one of Oklahoma’s 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans.
Billingsley is among 55 Oklahomans being recognized this year for their accomplishments, leadership and continued contributions to communities across the state.
A longtime Lawton business and community leader, Billingsley has served as marketing director for Billingsley Family of Dealerships since 1997, helping lead advertising, branding, communications and marketing strategy as the family business grew from a single Ford dealership with approximately 50 employees into a five-dealership organization operating in four cities with more than 200 associates.
But some of Billingsley’s most significant work since turning 55 has focused on developing the next generation of Oklahoma leaders.
Billingsley co-founded FORGE Leadership Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying and preparing high-achieving high school students with the potential to become commissioned officers in the armed services and future leaders of character, service and impact.
Through FORGE, students receive individualized mentoring, academic and ACT/SAT preparation, leadership development, physical fitness preparation and guidance through the service academy and ROTC application process. The program began in Southwest Oklahoma and is now expanding to communities surrounding Oklahoma’s militaiy installations.
“I am deeply honored to be included with this group of Oklahomans,” Billingsley said. “What makes this recognition especially meaningful to me is that it reflects something I have come to believe more strongly as I’ve gotten older: Our greatest opportunity is to invest in the people who will come after us.”
Billingsley’s community leadership has also included six years on the executive board of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, where she served as co-chair of military affairs. During that time, she developed the Fort Sill 101/201 program to help civilians, businesses and community members better understand Fort Sill and build stronger relationships with the installation. She has also advocated for suicide prevention, mental health awareness and access to family resources throughout the Lawton-Fort Sill community, with a particular focus on ensuring that soldiers and militaiy families can connect with resources and support when they need them.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had a long career in business, but some of the most rewarding work has come from connecting people, building relationships and creating opportunities for others,” Billingsley said. “FORGE is a continuation of that work. We’re investing in young people who have the ability to lead, serve and make a difference in Oklahoma.”
Billingsley will be recognized with the other 2026 55 Over 55 honorees at a reception Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Her professional portrait is also featured in the 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans traveling portrait exhibit at the Capitol.
The 55 Over 55 program recognizes Oklahomans whose accomplishments, leadership and continued work are making a difference in communities throughout the state.
About Billingsley Janie Billingsley is a business, marketing and community leader with more than 40 years of professional experience. Bom in Ardmore, Oklahoma, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications and advertising from the University of Oklahoma. She and her husband, Craig, relocated to Lawton in 1997 to grow Billingsley Family of Dealerships.
Billingsley is co-founder and CEO of FORGE Leadership Foundation Inc. and has served in numerous community leadership roles focused on business, military affairs, education and community resources. She and Craig have been married since 1983 and have two children and three grandchildren.