TULSA, Okla. — The OKPOP museum fundraising group appointed Scott Petty as the new chairperson despite not having yet opened.

“Nonprofit work has always been in my DNA, but so is my love for music,” said Petty. “I became a fan of this project when my friend, the late Steve Ripley—former owner of The Church Studio and lead singer and founder of The Tractors — shared the vision with me about 10 years ago. So, it is humbling to be handed the reins during this critical time in our development.”

OKPOP said Petty has almost two decades of professional fundraising experience, having worked for the OSU Foundation and the Stillwater Medical Foundation, and serving on boards of other local nonprofits such as Saville Child Advocacy, Stillwater Community Foundation and the Wesley Foundation Board.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Scott’s extensive background as a professional fundraiser to guide the foundation’s efforts,” said Jeff Moore, executive director of OKPOP Museum. “Scott was close friends with Steve Ripley, who was one of the museum’s biggest supporters before he passed. Without Steve, this museum wouldn’t have taken shape, and we wouldn’t have Scott on our board. In many ways this is a full circle moment.”

Petty said they’ve identified donors and the person who will lead their fundraising campaign, as they need $30 million to finish out the museum.

The building is complete, and collections are already on site. But, they needed funding to build the exhibits that will showcase the collections.

“Thirty million is an ambitious figure, but our foundation board has 100 percent participation financially, and this group of passionate professionals is committed to the vision of this project and what it will mean for Oklahoma tourism,” Petty said.

Petty said COVID set them behind on their fundraising and messed with the scheduling of completion. Despite this, he says he’s fully confident that the project is moving toward being completed within the next 24 months.

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