Brent Kisling, CEO
Brent Kisling has worked in Economic Development for over 20 years. Following a time advising Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe on rural development issues, he became the Oklahoma State Director for USDA Rural Development. In this role, he managed the rural business, utilities, and housing programs and learned how economic development works in rural America.
After his service at USDA, he became a local Economic Development professional in Enid, Oklahoma where he helped close the largest project in Oklahoma history with Koch Industries and helped build the retail base by over 15%. The success he found in Enid catapulted him to service again, but this time with the State of Oklahoma.
In 2019 he was appointed as the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and served in that role for 4 ½ years making him the longest serving Director in state history. During his time at Commerce, he was able to manage the business and community growth efforts of the state during historic floods, national economic challenges, and a worldwide pandemic. He was able to bridge strong relationships with the communities across the state and close some of the largest projects Oklahoma had ever seen.
After stepping down from the Department of Commerce in 2023, he joined Retail Attractions as a partner with Rickey Hayes to continue helping build communities. Retail Attractions has been assisting communities around the US since 2007 through data analysis and retail recruitment.
Also in 2023, Brent started NexTo LLC through which he works “next to” businesses to help them grow, “next to” communities through his partnership with Retail Attractions, and “next to” people through a local ministry in Enid. Brent also serves on the team with Magellan Executive Partners which is the premier organization in the Midwest when it comes to executive coaching, strategy development, and business growth planning.
Brent lives with his wife Jennifer in Enid, Oklahoma. They are very proud of the fact that both of their children’s families also reside in Oklahoma due to the opportunities available to them.
After his service at USDA, he became a local Economic Development professional in Enid, Oklahoma where he helped close the largest project in Oklahoma history with Koch Industries and helped build the retail base by over 15%. The success he found in Enid catapulted him to service again, but this time with the State of Oklahoma.
In 2019 he was appointed as the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and served in that role for 4 ½ years making him the longest serving Director in state history. During his time at Commerce, he was able to manage the business and community growth efforts of the state during historic floods, national economic challenges, and a worldwide pandemic. He was able to bridge strong relationships with the communities across the state and close some of the largest projects Oklahoma had ever seen.
After stepping down from the Department of Commerce in 2023, he joined Retail Attractions as a partner with Rickey Hayes to continue helping build communities. Retail Attractions has been assisting communities around the US since 2007 through data analysis and retail recruitment.
Also in 2023, Brent started NexTo LLC through which he works “next to” businesses to help them grow, “next to” communities through his partnership with Retail Attractions, and “next to” people through a local ministry in Enid. Brent also serves on the team with Magellan Executive Partners which is the premier organization in the Midwest when it comes to executive coaching, strategy development, and business growth planning.
Brent lives with his wife Jennifer in Enid, Oklahoma. They are very proud of the fact that both of their children’s families also reside in Oklahoma due to the opportunities available to them.
