Old Man River

By Bob Burke and Joan Gilmore 

Oklahoma City has been deeply enriched by the contributions of Ray Ackerman, Chairman Emeritus of Ackerman McQueen Advertising Agency. Since he arrived in Oklahoma from Pennsylvania in 1947, Ray’s life has been unselfishly given to one project after another, and one organization after another.

From leading the United Way to chairing the National Finals Rodeo to overseeing a citywide pride campaign, Ray has left an indelible mark.

No one is more proud of Oklahoma City’s leap to great city status than Ray, especially of the Bricktown Canal and the development of the North Canadian River. He has been appropriately nicknamed “Ol’ Man River.”

Ray is blessed with boundless enthusiasm, unlimited energy, tenacity, extraordinary loyalty, and a wonderful and loving family.

As a family man, ad man, Navy man, civic leader, and great promoter of Oklahoma City, and a dear friend, Ray Ackerman is incredibly gifted. Oklahoma City is fortunate he chose to make the Sooner State his adopted home more than a half century ago.