Metro Tech Coordinators Named Finalists for National Awards

Two Metro Tech coordinators received top honors at the 2025 Oklahoma Postsecondary Adult Career Education (OkPACE) Conference. Workforce Development Coordinator Lori Lyons received the Innovation Award, and Environmental Safety and Regulatory Affairs (ESRA) Coordinator Cody McPherson received the Emerging Professional Award. Both are now finalists for national recognition at the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) VISION Conference this December in Nashville.

OkPACE is a division of OkACTE. The annual conference brings together CareerTech professionals from across the state to recognize their service and innovation in postsecondary education and workforce development.

The PACE Innovation award recognizes professionals who organize unique, innovative, or collaborative initiatives. Lyons received this recognition for coordinating Metro Tech’s annual Fraud Conference in partnership with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Medicare Assistance Program, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This event provides free fraud education to community members and business and industry professionals while promoting awareness and prevention efforts across Oklahoma.

The PACE Emerging Leaders Award honors professionals who have been in the division for one to five years and are making significant contributions to postsecondary education. Before his recent transition to ESRA Coordinator, McPherson fostered various community and industry relationships that propelled several of Metro Tech’s educational initiatives as a Workforce Development Coordinator.

“Ms. Lyons and Mr. McPherson are shining examples of how dedication and innovation can directly impact student and community success,” Metro Tech Superintendent and CEO Aaron Collins said. “Their recognition on the state level, and now as national finalists, is a testament to our district's mission-driven approach to quality career education.”