Danny Hodge - Chairman

The Legend.  Born in Perry, OK May 13^th, 1932.  Danny is a retired professional boxer & wrestler.  He was born, raised, and still lives in Perry, OK with his wife Delores.  In High School He won the 165 lb. wrestling state tournament in 1951.  He was undefeated at 46-0 with 36 pins as a 177 lb grappler at the University of Oklahoma from 1955-1957, won the NCAA championship in all three of those years pinning all three of his finals opponents.  Danny was never taken down from a standing positionwhile in college.  He is the only amateur wrestler to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.  Danny placed 5^th in the 1952 Olympics and won the Silver in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Austraila.  Danny worked as a professional wrestler for 18 years.  Danny was also an amateur boxer winning the Chicago Golden Gloves in 1958 with an amateur record of 17-0-0 with 12 KO’s.  On March 29^th, 2005 Danny was honored by the Oklahoma legislature as an “Oklahoma Sports Hero”    

Mike Bower - Vice Chairman

Mike Bower began his boxing career in 1973 participating in Amateur Golden Glove Boxing with Heath Boxing Club. In 1981 Mike began boxing on the Toughman circuit winning the Oklahoma State Toughman Championship in1981 & 1983. Since that time he has continued his involvement in boxing serving as a sparring partner, manger and corner man before his appointment to the Oklahoma Athletic Commission in 1999 by Governor Frank Keating. Mike has served 4 terms on the Commission under 3 Governors.  Mike spent 31 years in the Fire Service and was Chief of The Midwest City Fire Department for 16 years.  Since retiring from the Fire Department in 2004, Mike has served as the Emergency Management Director for the City of Midwest City for the past 8 years.

Dr. Martin Tippie - Commissioner

Martin Tippie was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  He was raised and graduated High School (College High School) in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  He graduated from Oklahoma State University and also from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.  Mr. Tippie served three years in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division. He served as Director, Vernon Project for Drug Dependent Youth - Vernon, Texas, one year, private medical practice - North Carolina, six years.  The last 30 years he has been at the University of Oklahoma serving as the Athletic Team Physician (currently Emeritus status).

Andrew Dearth - Commissioner

Dr. Mark Hanstein - Commissioner

Malcom Atwood - Commissioner

Malcom Atwood was appointed to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission by Governor Brad Henry in 2005 and has served continuously since that time.  Commissioner Atwood retired from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control in 2003.  Malcom began his career with the OBN as a narcotics agent shortly after serving our country in the United States Air Force.  He rose to the top and was appointed the Director in 1995 where he remained until his retirement in 2003.  Other than boxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts, his biggest hobby is boating.  He spent a full year sailing around the world.   

Glen Vernon - Commissioner

Glen Vernnon was appointed to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission July 1, 2003.  He has had a life-long interest in boxing at both the amateur and professional levels and was instrumental in promoting boxing tournaments through the Sertoma Club at Whitaker State Children's Home in Pryor, OK where he served as a volunteer assistant boxing coach for several years.  He was certified by the Amateur Athletic Union as a referee, judge and time keeper and served extensively as a referee.  He attended Bakersfield College in California, Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK and Tulsa University on a Fellowship in Urban Studies.  Before retiring he was employed as Director of the Rogers County Community Action Foundation, Executive Director for the Mayes County Soil Conservation Board, Owner and Operator of Green Country Yamaha, AMC & Jeep, Inc., and Personal Financial planner with IDS, a subsidiary of American Express.  Affiliations include Sertoma Club, past President; Elks Lodge, past Exalted Ruler; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Board of Education of Northeast Oklahoma Vo-Tech School, past President; Salina School Alumni Association, past President; US Air Force, Sergeant. He is now retired and lives with his wife Barbara in Pryor, OK.

Johnny Ashley - Commissioner

Johnnie Ashley was born and raised in central Oklahoma.  He is a graduate of El Reno High School.  Upon graduating high school he discovered his love of boxing.  He competed in the Oklahoma Golden Gloves program for two years.  In 1978 he joined the El Reno Police Department as a patrolman.  As a policeman he rose through the ranks and became the president of the local Fraternal Order of Police.  During 1981 and 1982 he competed in various tough-man competitions throughout the state.  He completed his duties as a policeman in 1983.  In 1986 he again joined the ranks of law enforcement as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, a position that he maintains to this day.  Mr. Ashley joined the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission as a Commissioner in 2006 as an appointee of then Governor Brad Henry.  Mr. Ashley is married to his wife Jodi of 30 years and has three children.  

Terry Smith - Commissioner

Terry Smith has been a Martial Arts Instructor in Oklahoma City for over 40 years. He has trained thousands of people in Karate, Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. He fought in and promoted Karate and Kickboxing events in the United States, Mexico, the Soviet Union and Uzbekistan. He served as Vice President of Chuck Norris’ United Fighting Arts Federation and was promoted to 6^th Degree Black Belt by Mr. Norris. He founded the Oklahoma Karate Association in 1985 to promote fighter safety and unified fighting rules. In the 1980’s he was a Boxing judge and referee and also promoted Professional Kickboxing Association events in Oklahoma City.