Bernell Jiles

Bernell Jiles, a native of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, attended Connors State College from 1952 to 1954. In 1956 he earned a B.S. in education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. After graduation he accepted a position in management with Continental Supply Company. He worked there until July of 1956 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After two years of active duty, he served 18 years in the reserves. Upon completing active duty, Mr. Jiles reentered the business world with a management position at Leland Equipment Company. He was later employed in management positions at Vickers Tulsa Division and Funk Division of Garner Denver Corporation. In 1982 he accepted a position with Gear Products, Inc., a division of Simon England Inc. Mr. Jiles retired in 1997 as President and General Manager of Gear Products, a division of Blount International. He has been involved with numerous charitable and civic organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America and the Camp Fire Girls. He has been on the board of Directors for the Tulsa Area Manufacturing Association and for the Red Cross. Currently he is an ordained deacon at Friendly Baptist Church in Branson, Missouri. He was instrumental in organizing the Connors Former Students Association and now serves as a board member of the Connors Development Foundation, Inc. Mr. Jiles married Loretta June Norvell in 1956 and they have two children, Tammy and Mike. 

Bernell was inducted on April 22, 2006.