Karissa Pickett, of Ada, was recently appointed director of the Chickasaw Nation Multimedia Department and Tim Cornelius, also of Ada, was appointed director of special projects in the Division of Housing and tribal Development.
"These two highly-qualified individuals will strengthen our ability to deliver vital housing programs and services and to inform and educate both Chickasaw citizens and the community," said Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby. "Both Ms. Pickett and Mr. Cornelius bring a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and initiative to their new positions."
Appointed as director of the Multimedia Department in the Division of Communications, Media and Community Development, Ms. Pickett, a Chickasaw citizen, will coordinate projects and outreach efforts designed to support Chickasaw Nation programs, services, businesses and destinations. These projects include documentary, educational and historical videos about the Chickasaw Nation, Chickasaw Nation Television (CNTV), full-length films and web-based video.
"We are blessed to have the opportunity to help tell the story of the Chickasaw people through video production," said Ms. Pickett. "We are looking forward to the many exciting projects we have coming up."
During the past four years, Ms. Pickett has worked in the tribal Division of Communication, Media and Community Development as a communication officer and special assistant.
In these positions, Ms. Pickett coordinated all types of communications for tribal programs and services in an effort to keep Chickasaw citizens and the community informed.
Many projects focused on tribal health systems programs and services.
As a college student, Ms. Pickett began her career with the Chickasaw Nation in 2002 as a file clerk in the Division of Health.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from East Central University in Ada, Okla., in 2005. She is also a graduate of Booker (Texas) High School.
Ms. Pickett lives in the Ada area with her husband, Paul.
Her parents are Sonnie and Tammy Pickens, of Booker, Texas.
Ada-native Tim Cornelius, a Chickasaw citizen, has a wide variety of responsibilities in his new role as Director of Special Projects for the tribal Division of Housing and tribal Development.
In his new position, he performs a multitude of tasks needed to provide the Chickasaw people exemplary service related to housing needs; from attending association meetings to working with citizens to ensure delivery of housing programs and services.
Besides housing programs, the Chickasaw Nation Division of Housing and Tribal Development consists of several departments, including Geospatial Information, Environmental Services, Housing Finance and Counseling Services, Housing Development, Home Improvement Services, Roads and Chickasaw Farms.
Mr. Cornelius serves as a resource for other tribal divisions for the Housing Division, and his primary mission is serving Chickasaw citizens.
"I try to go above and beyond what is the norm to help the Chickasaw citizens, working beyond just 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and taking care of issues promptly and swiftly."
Mr. Cornelius also stays current with federal and state rules and regulations regarding housing programs.
He has worked with the Chickasaw Nation, primarily in the Division of Housing and Tribal Development, since he was a student at ECU.
Mr. Cornelius earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from ECU in 1996.
He and his wife, Dionne, who also works for the Chickasaw Nation, live in Ada. They have three children, Hunter, 8, Hannah, 5, and Rayce, 2.
Mr. Cornelius' parents, Mike Cornelius and Donna Gustin, also live in Ada.
