The Chickasha Economic Development Council adopted a revised “Board and Staff Confidentiality Agreement” recently.
The document was “borrowed from i2e,” said Ryan Posey, chairman of the CEDC board of directors. Confidentiality agreements and conflict of interest agreements “are needed,” said Posey, president of HSI Sensing and a member of the i2e board of directors. i2e is a nonprofit organization based in Oklahoma City that focuses on strategic investment, advisory services, and facilitating access to capital. i2E specializes in supporting and advancing the growth of Oklahoma startups and entrepreneurs.
The document “will be part of our standard operating procedures at the beginning of every fiscal year, to remind our board of the importance of confidentiality,” said Jim Cowan, director of the CEDC.
“I anticipate us going into executive session this year as we discuss projects that affect Chickasha,” he said. “We will see signif icant interest in new business coming to Chickasha this year.”
Protection of confidential information, “both past and present, is vital and necessary to the interests and success” of the CED C, the document states.
Businesses, industries, organizations and other agencies working with, or associated with, the board, president and chief executive officer, or staff can be assured that CEDC recognizes that “all matters of a confidential nature … are treated personally and professionally.”
These confidential relationships include, “but are in no way limited to:”
• Any local businesses or industries being assisted by the CEDC.
• Any person or organization providing confidential information or financial data to the CED C “for exclusive use.”
• Any new business/industry prospect the CEDC has attracted “to investigate a location in Grady County.”
• Any business or industry referred to the CED C by any governmental unit or other agency.
• The protection of confidentiality of any other agencies, business matters or activities, which, in the professional judgment of the CEDC’s officers, “requires confidence on their part or their staff.”
Additionally, “it is expected that board members will not initiate any council- related communications with those served by the local council or their family members” when encountered in public places “nor acknowledge your familiarity with them.”
The CEDC adopted the revised policy March 11 with no dissent.