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McAfee & Taft proudly congratulates Brad Neese, the firm’s creative director, for being named the recipient of the 2022 Betty Northcutt Employee of the Year Award. The presentation was made by Matt Bown, chief operating officer, at the firm’s 70th Anniversary Celebration on August 20, 2022, at the Oklahoma City Omni Hotel.

“We are thrilled to recognize Brad as the employee of the year,” said Bown. “Brad demonstrates the qualities that are the foundation of this award. Throughout his career he brings his dedication, expertise, and amazing quality of work to every project that he touches. Brad will work tirelessly to make sure every presentation or event is ‘just right,’ and in doing so he elevates everyone he works to support. Brad absolutely deserves this recognition and a huge thank you and congratulations!”

In his role as creative director at the firm, Brad serves as lead video producer and graphic designer and oversees all in-house creative services, including photography, drone photography, videography and editing, graphic design, event production, branding and corporate identity, web design and implementation, and social media.

Throughout the course of his 30-year career, Brad has gained a wealth of diverse experience in the fields of journalism, communications, advertising and creative services while working for daily and weekly newspapers and specialty publications, as creative services manager for one of the state’s largest banks, and as the general manager of a printing company. Prior to joining McAfee & Taft in 2008, he served as the managing partner of an Oklahoma City-based full-service communications, marketing, business development, and creative services firm for five years.

In nominating Brad for this honor, attorneys and fellow staff members alike praised him for being a tireless worker, dedicated to the firm and his craft, and for his competitive spirit and the exceptional quality of his work.

“Brad is a consummate professional, completely dedicated to the success of the firm, and his work product is consistently outstanding,” said one attorney. “Brad is always willing to do whatever it takes to make sure our lawyers shine and the programs, presentations, webinars, videos, and the like are all top notch. I love his willingness to help and his competitive spirit to want the best marketing team and law firm in the state and our region of the country.”

“In his role as the firm’s creative director, he has elevated the McAfee & Taft brand to where it is today – consistent, professional, and far-reaching,” said one nominator.

“Brad’s expertise and work quality is unmatched,” said another nominator. “His videos are – without question – the very best in the industry, and they have made McAfee & Taft a leader in our business development and promotional efforts.”

“As superb as Brad’s creative and technical skills are, his best trait is his conscientiousness,” said one colleague. “He deeply cares about the firm, its people, and the quality of work he produces.”

The Betty Northcutt Employee of the Year Award – affectionately called “The Betty” – was created and named in honor of Betty Northcutt (1929 – 2020), one of Oklahoma’s first female certified public accountants and a long-time employee of McAfee & Taft. Betty began her career working with pioneering lawyer Kenneth McAfee prior to the firm’s founding in 1952 and was an active and loyal member of the firm for more than six decades. This award honors those who, like Betty, have made a significant impact on the firm’s success through their talent, expertise, initiative, dedication, loyalty, and respect for others.