MAGELLAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. Tulsa. Magellan was initially formed by the Williams Company and in 2001 the name was changed to its current name. They are now a publicly traded partnership and their primary business is the transportation, storage and distribution of refined petroleum products. Magellan operates the nation's longest refined products pipeline system. They employ more than 1100 workers nationwide including 450 in Oklahoma. Donald Wellendorf is their CEO.

The Roundtable officers, Steve Hendrickson, Al Dearmon, Tom Maxwell and Ed Martin recently met to review the five top priorities of the Commerce Department and approved the requested funding for these projects. They, and later the executive committee, approved these same projects and funding.

The Commerce Department's five priorities are:

1. Prepare an updated Strategic Plan for the agency
2. Create and Support a first-ever statewide Entrepreneurship Conference
3. Update Industry Trend and Targeting Analysis
4. Provide additional Support for the Donald W. Reynold's Governor's Cup Competition
5. Assist Oklahoma Bio companies with attendance at The Bio 2008 trade show and symposium in San Diego

Additional projects:

1. Support for USFirst Robotics Competition in OKC in April
2. Serve as co-host to The International Asset Management Association (corporate real estate executives) in OKC in April
3. Host the Technology Venture Summit in Tulsa in November
4. Host the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds Conference in OKC in September, 2009

The Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University recently released its 2007 State Competitiveness Report. This report indicated that Oklahoma has moved from # 41 last year to # 32 in this year's national ranking. The top three states were Utah, Massachusetts and Colorado. (The report measures government and fiscal policy, infrastructure, workforce, technology, finance capacity, crime rate, globalization and environmental policy). Most states adjacent to Oklahoma improved their ranking and it is obvious that the Southwest region is becoming more competitive in attracting new business. Texas ranked above Oklahoma in 20th place.

The third annual reception was held January 25 at the Hotel Zaza in Dallas. It targets primarily Dallas area site consultants, commercial real estate professionals and area developers which identify site selection projects. The first event was held in 2006 and was attended by 40. It grew to approximately 60 in 2007 and over 80 attended this most recent event.

Secretary of Commerce Natalie Shirley attended the reception which was hosted by the Commerce Department, the Governor's Economic Development Team and the Roundtable.