LAWTON – The FISTA Development Trust Authority has tapped Dr. Krista Ratliff to serve as executive director of the FISTA Innovation Park, a hub for defense contractors in Central Plaza.
The authority voted 6-0 April 19 to approve an employment agreement with Ratliff, who currently serves as president and CEO of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce and as a part-time consultant to FISTA. She will join FISTA’s staff June 1.
Ratliff said her new role will build on her work as a FISTA consultant.
“I’m going to move into a more full-time role instead of part time as needed, and I’ll support FISTA in all its endeavors,” she said in an interview following the meeting.
Ratliff replaces former executive director James Taylor, who stepped down in February for health reasons.
As president of the Chamber, Ratliff played a key role in promoting economic growth and fostering strong connections among local businesses, FISTA officials said in a press release. Under her leadership, the Chamber launched several programs aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses grow.
In addition to her work with the Chamber, Ratliff serves on the boards of several community organizations, according to the release. Those organizations include Comanche County Teen Court, the Lawton Transportation Authority and the Lawton Youth Sports Authority.
Ratliff’s education and experience will be helpful for FISTA, said Authority Chairman Clarence Fortney.
“We are confident that her master’s degree in HR, her doctorate in finance and her expertise in strategic planning, community engagement (and) partnership development, combined with her security and cyber background will be invaluable to FISTA as we continue to drive the advancement of the FISTA and Lawton Fort Sill,” he said in the release.
The Chamber’s executive vice president, Taron Epps, will serve as interim vice president while Ratliff makes the transition to her new position at FISTA. Once the transition is complete, Epps will serve as the Chamber’s interim president while the organization searches for a new president.