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Vince Orza
Dean

Email: vorza@okcu.edu
Phone: (405) 208-5275
Office: MS 325D

Author, small businessman, corporate executive, award winning television News Anchor, University Professor of Marketing & Economics, candidate for Governor of Oklahoma and Dean of the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University all describe the dynamic career of Vince Orza.

In July 2005 Dr. Vince Orza was named the Dean of the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University. Recognized for his contributions to business, education and the civic community, Vince founded Eateries, Inc., a national restaurant chain operating coast to coast under the names of Garfield's Restaurant & Pub, Garcia’s Mexican Restaurants & Pepperoni Grill Italian Bistros. Vince served as the Chairman, President & CEO of Eateries, Inc., growing the company from an idea to over $100 million in annual sales. He is also the author of “When I Want Your Opinion I’ll Tell It To You,” a light-hearted, nostalgic look at growing up as a second generation Italian American. Vince has been the keynote and motivational speaker at meetings and conventions across America.

Vince & Eateries, Inc. were named:
1. March 2007 lectured on globalization and international marketing at Universidad de Centro Educativo Latinoamericano in Rosario, Argentina. March 2007 lectured on globalization and international marketing at Universidad de Centro Educativo Latinoamericano in Rosario, Argentina.
2. Recipient of 2005 “75 Who Made a Difference” Award by University of Oklahoma.
3. November 2003 inducted into the Oklahoma Commerce & Industry Hall of Fame.
4. Recipient of 2003 Restaurant Neighbor Award from Oklahoma Restaurant Association for its work in the community.
5. Recipient of 2002 Restaurant Leadership Award from Leadership Network.
6. Recipient of “2000 Vision Award” from the Exchange Club of Oklahoma City.
7. 1999 “Order of Achievement Award” by Lambda Alpha Chi Fraternity.
8. Voted one of “1998’s 10 Best Performing CEOs” by Restaurant Business Magazine.
9. 1998 Ranked #1 among “Oklahoma’s Top 50 Publicly Traded Companies.”
10. Finalists for Neighborhood Restaurant Awards by National Restaurant Association for its work in the community.
11. 1995 "Marketer of the Year" by Sales & Marketing Executives Association of Oklahoma City.
12. One of the "Top 100 Best Small Companies in America" in May 1994 by Businessweek Magazine.
13. Recipients of the 1993 "Blue Chip Enterprise Award" from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Nation's Business magazine.
14. Finalists in the 1993 and 1994 Ernst & Young, Inc. Magazine and Merrill Lynch "Entrepreneur of the Year Award." 15. 1992 "Entrepreneurial Success Award" winners by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
16. The 19th Fastest Growing Small Public Company in America by Inc. Magazine
17. 1991 "Gold & Silver Plate Award" nominees by the International Food Service Manufacturer's Association.

From 1980-90 Vince was a television news reporter and anchor for ABC-TV affiliate KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. He was the recipient of two United Press International (UPI) awards, three awards from the Oklahoma Education Association and several prestigious Gannett Awards for broadcast excellence in news. Upon being named Dean of the Meinders School, Vince returned to television providing economic commentary and analysis for CBS-TV affiliate KWTV. Vince writes a commentary entitled "Common Sense" for radio stations and newspapers. He has hosted statewide broadcasts such as "Tax Wise" sponsored by the Oklahoma Society of CPA's and "Teamwork Oklahoma" a television broadcast on economic development.

A world traveler, in 1989 Vince visited the Soviet Union as a delegate to an international economics conference. Vince has been inducted into the 1991 "Who's Who of American Business Leaders," 1992 "Who's Who Platinum Edition" and "Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America." Vince was named to the first edition of "Two Thousand Notable American Men 1992" by the American Biographical Institute, Inc., a 1994 "Paul Harris Fellow" by Rotary International, a 1993 "Melvin Jones Fellow," the highest honor conferred by Lions Club International and the 1993 "Leukemia Man of the Year" by the Leukemia Society.

In his first venture into politics, Vince ran for Governor of Oklahoma in 1990. A dark horse candidate, Vince won the Republican Primary but lost the runoff by only one percent. Vince ran for Governor of Oklahoma again in 2002.

Vince was a tenured Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Central Oklahoma where he received numerous national fellowships in advertising and marketing. A contributing editor to several textbooks in business, Vince has written and presented numerous professional papers in marketing and holds a Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor and Masters degree from Oklahoma City University. Vince is a nationally recognized commencement and after dinner speaker on the subjects of free enterprise, leadership and personal motivation. Vince was also granted the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in conjunction with his 2000 OCU Commencement address.

DIRECTOR Leukemia Society ~ Juvenile Diabetes Foundation MEMBER
Board of Trustees Oklahoma City University
Honorary Chairman 1995, 1994, 1993 & 1992 Cerebral Palsy Telethon
Oklahoma State University Foundation Board of Governors
Board of Trustees of St. Gregory's College Endowment Foundation
Board of Visitors College of Education University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Vo-Tech State Advisory Council
AAA Oklahoma Advisory Board Education and Business Council for the Oklahoma Department of Education
College Scholarship Association of Oklahoma City
American Citizenship Center Advisory Board
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Junior Achievement Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation
Child Abuse Response Center
Oklahoma Academy for State Goals
Western Oklahoma Chapter of Muscular Dystrophy Association
OU College of Business Administration Board of Advisors
Oklahoma Restaurant Association
North Care Mental Health Center
Choctaw-Nicoma Park Education Foundation