The People Behind the Mission

Brian Carpenter

Brian is the architect of OK Autonomous's commercial engine. He founded and scaled Didasko Sales and Marketing in Tulsa in 2009 — building it into a recognized B2B sales organization specializing in tech and manufacturing sectors.

Over his career, Brian has coached over 100 C-suite leaders on revenue growth, sales process optimization, and team development — spanning companies across the country. His methodology: build the right team, define the right process, then hold it accountable to results.

Brian currently serves on the Executive Vision Council of Oklahoma State University's Spears School of Business Smart Supply Chain Management Program, and is a member of the Tulsa Executive Association (TEA) — connecting his work directly to the innovation ecosystem powering Northeast Oklahoma's growth.

Willard Emery

With more than 40 years owning and operating international commercial aerospace and manufacturing businesses, Willard is OKA's most seasoned voice on what it takes to build, buy, and scale manufacturing organizations that last.

He has led acquisitions and integrations across North America — building companies in the US, Canada, and Mexico — and negotiated defense and commercial aerospace component deals across Europe and Asia. He's launched greenfield manufacturing startups from the ground up on multiple continents, which means he understands both the beginning of the journey and the institutional gravity of mature operations.

Willard's network spans decades of relationships with global aerospace primes, MRO operators, and defense contractors — relationships that OKA is uniquely positioned to activate on behalf of Oklahoma manufacturers.

Brian Emery

Brian brings over 15 years of direct ownership and operation in commercial aerospace, CNC machining, and advanced manufacturing. He has built and run businesses that supply precision components to some of the world's most demanding aerospace programs.

His board director roles at aerospace firms exceeding $100M in annual revenue gave him deep insight into supply chain strategy, operational efficiency, and what buyers actually need from their manufacturing partners. He knows both sides of the table — and uses that to OKA's advantage.

Brian is also an active investor in tech and manufacturing startups in Northeast Oklahoma, with a particular focus on companies that can accelerate the region's emergence in autonomous and advanced manufacturing sectors. He is the primary contact for OKA partnerships.

Grant Morris

Grant leads the day-to-day business development and partnership work for OK Autonomous. He works directly with drone OEMs, autonomous systems companies, Oklahoma manufacturers, and economic development partners — turning supply chain needs into qualified commercial opportunities.

Grant brings seven years of experience in client development, recruiting, and talent strategy across technical and industrial markets. His work has centered on understanding complex business needs, identifying the right capabilities, and building the trusted relationships that produce results.

At OK-AS, Grant applies that experience to supplier matchmaking, business attraction, and commercial follow-through — helping OEMs navigate Oklahoma's manufacturing ecosystem, connecting local suppliers with qualified opportunities, and coordinating the relationships required to move projects from an initial conversation into an active pursuit.

Kevin Toews

Kevin is an owner-operator with deep roots in industrial and manufacturing businesses. His work spans process optimization, equipment integration, and scaling operations for clients entering new and technically demanding markets — including autonomous technology.

He brings a pragmatic, operational lens to OKA's work — understanding not just what buyers want to purchase, but what it actually takes for a manufacturer to be ready to deliver it. That operational credibility matters enormously in conversations with sophisticated procurement teams.

Kevin is also an active investor in technology and real estate in the Tulsa region, with a track record of identifying high-growth opportunities and helping businesses position themselves to capture them. His approach is direct, data-informed, and grounded in years of running real operations.