Garver’s roots run deep in Oklahoma. By investing in quality infrastructure projects and the communities we serve over the past three decades, our firm is a growing and thriving Oklahoma business. Garver has created opportunities for Oklahomans like me to work, raise a family, and put down roots of my own in our great state."
- Brent Schneids, Garver
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Member Spotlight: How Freese & Nichols Turns Company Values Into Action
Open for Business Oklahoma (OFBO) member companies are not only active at the capitol advocating for policies that strengthen Oklahoma’s economy, but also investing in the communities they serve. Our latest member spotlight demonstrates how one company has made service a defining element of its core values.
At OFBO member company Freese and Nichols, company culture is guided by its LEADS values, which serve as a north star for the organization. The “S” in LEADS stands for Serve Always, a core pillar dedicated to serving others and striving to make the world a better place.
According to Brandon Huxford, division manager for Freese and Nichols' Central Plains region, the service mindset runs deep.
“It’s an ongoing company initiative to give back to the communities where we live, work and play,” Huxford said. “The communities that invest in us, we reinvest in through community outreach. We strive to leave the woodpile a bit taller than when we found it, so to say.”
Freese and Nichols community service initiatives are employee driven. Employees are passionate about finding ways to work together on community service projects, guided by employee-led committees. Recent efforts include school supply and food drives, an annual Arcadia Lake cleanup project, and volunteer projects with Meals on Wheels and Folds of Honor, just to name a few.
Beyond the positive impact on the community, these projects are excellent culture builders.
Rogers Trail Cleanup
Volunteers participated in a trail and creek cleanup in Rogers, helping remove trash from natural areas and waterways. The project provided a hands-on opportunity to protect local environmental resources while supporting cleaner recreational spaces for the community. This effort reflects Deliver Quality through care for shared public spaces, Serve Always through community stewardship, and Engage as a Family through teamwork in the field.
“Things like trash cleanups are not glamorous activities, yet employees continue to show up to selflessly volunteer their time. Not only are these efforts great teambuilding, but they also show just how much our employees care about the communities they serve,” said Huxford.
Every year, Freese and Nichols’ James R. Nichols Community Service Award honors one employee company-wide who demonstrates dedication and commitment to public service. This year, BIM/CAD Supervisor Matthew Marzett of the firm’s Tulsa office received the award for devoting 133 hours coaching young athletes, volunteering at the local food bank and serving at his church. His efforts are a powerful reflection of the firm’s service-minded culture.
For Huxford, the significance of employee volunteer efforts is amplified by the fact that the service is entirely voluntary.
“No one is being told they have to do this. These are true volunteer efforts,” Huxford emphasized. “Employees don’t see community service as an obligation but rather as an opportunity. It’s incredible to see how excited employees are and how much they want to give back, without feeling like they have to.”
Urban Mission Food Drive
The Urban Mission Food Drive brought employees together to collect and donate food items for families facing food insecurity. The large collection of pantry staples, canned goods, and meal items reflects the generosity and teamwork of employees who stepped up to support a meaningful community need. This effort highlights Serve Always through direct support of local families and Act with Integrity by responding to community needs with compassion and purpose.
Freese and Nichols’ commitment to service extends to investing in the future of Oklahoma’s STEM workforce. The firm proudly hosts the STEM Sand Slam, an annual volunteer-led sand volleyball tournament that benefits STEM missions and organizations. Teams from various architecture, engineering and construction firms compete in sand volleyball with the shared goal of raising funds to support STEM education, with this year’s Sand Slam raising nearly $10,000 for the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation. Beyond fundraising, the tournament serves as a unique way to bridge professional divides.
“There are industry relationships forged at Sand Slam,” Huxford said of the tournament. “Typically, we may be competitors, but getting together to do things for the greater good builds common understanding and camaraderie that’s beneficial and may even lead to future partnerships.”
School Drives Across the Region
Team members across the region supported local school drives by collecting supplies, clothing, hygiene items, and classroom essentials for students and families preparing for the school year. The effort helped provide practical resources that support student success while showing care for families in the communities we serve. This project reflects Serve Always through direct community support, Engage as a Family through teamwork across offices and teams, and Act with Integrity by responding to real needs with generosity and purpose.
Supporting STEM education is an investment in communities, Huxford added. “Communities thrive when there are more qualified, capable engineers to do the work necessary to maintain civil infrastructure.”
That investment extends to programs like Engineer for a Day, which gives high school students a firsthand look at careers in engineering.
“It’s fun to host the students for the day and witness those lightbulb moments,” Huxford said. “We help them see the bigger picture outside the classroom. They realize they can get paid to make a difference, both from a community perspective and improving the state’s infrastructure.”
Annual Arcadia Lake Cleanup
Team members came together for the Annual Arcadia Lake Cleanup to help remove litter and debris from the shoreline and surrounding park areas. The effort supported a cleaner, safer public space while reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship. This project reflects our commitment to Serve Always by investing time and energy into the communities where we live and work. It also demonstrates Engage as a Family, as employees volunteered side by side to make a visible difference together.
At Freese and Nichols, services isn’t just one of the company’s values; it’s a daily practice that demonstrates the power of employees committed to making a difference in the communities they serve.
We’re always on the hunt for success stories of OFBO members and member companies. If you have good news to share for an upcoming OFBO blog, contact Emily Lang or Callie Collins.
Rogers, AR - Salvation Army Food Kitchen
Team members volunteered with the Salvation Army Food Kitchen in Rogers to help support meal service for individuals and families in the community. This project provided a meaningful opportunity to serve alongside one another while contributing to a direct community need. The effort reflects Serve Always through hands-on service, Engage as a Family through teamwork, and Act with Integrity by showing up with care and purpose for those in need.
Tulsa Meals on Wheels
Team members supported Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa, helping advance the organization’s mission of serving individuals who depend on nutritious meals and community connection. This effort highlights the importance of building partnerships that extend care and support to those who need it most. It reflects Serve Always through community support, Deliver Quality by contributing to a reliable service network, and Act with Integrity through a commitment to helping vulnerable neighbors.
Tulsa Folds of Honor
Team members participated in support of Folds of Honor, an organization dedicated to providing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled service members and first responders. This effort reflects a commitment to serving beyond the workplace and supporting causes that strengthen families and communities. It demonstrates Serve Always through community involvement, Act with Integrity through support of a mission-driven organization, and Engage as a Family by joining together around a shared purpose.