Call centers, energy growth, departing CEOs also big business news in 2013

Source: Tulsa World, Okla.迷你倉Dec. 22--Ten wasn't enough for 2013.Several big business stories happened in the Tulsa area this year -- too many to include on one top 10 list.Here's a quick overview of some bottom-line events that also deserve top-shelf treatment.Energy: The city's bedrock energy sector was as robust as ever, particularly in the midstream portion. ONEOK Partners, Magellan Midstream, SemGroup, Williams and Explorer Pipeline altogether announced billions of dollars in investment for infrastructure to move all crude oil now attainable in North America.If Cushing is the pipeline crossroads of America, then Tulsa might be that crossroad's braintrust.Construction crews finally finished the southern leg of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline. The northern leg is still waiting for federal approval.Call centers: Tulsa is becoming a regional hub for numerous sectors, including call centers. Verizon announced it will add 500 positions to its financial hub at the Cherokee Industrial Park.Capital One Auto Finance, U.S. Cellular and others also have added local positions. One can quibble with the pay-levels and long-term prospects of some call-center jobs, but the fact is that the sector employs 14,000 people working in the area.Local ownership ends: Our top 10 list details the end of several eras, whether it's the Lorton family selling the Tulsa World to Berkshire Hathaway's BH Media Group or belmini storageved mainstays such as Conrad Farms and Steve's Sundry Books and Magazines going out of business. The acquisitions by outside owners of the Tulsa World and F&M Bank follows a pattern that recently included the sale of Flintco, Thomas Russell Co. and other Tulsa entities.Departing CEOs: At the high end of the pay scale came numerous high-profile goodbyes. Stan Lybarger stepped down Dec. 19 after a long tenure as CEO of BOK Financial Corp. Others departing as CEO are Hans Helmerich at Helmerich & Payne, John Gibson at ONEOK, Norm Szydlowski at SemGroup and Ralph Hill at WPX Energy.More energy: Gibson's ONEOK announced it will create a new public company by splitting off its utilities, including Oklahoma Natural Gas, into ONE Gas early next year. Long troubled Syntroleum Corp. finally found a buyer for its biofuels assets.Grocery stores: Speciality grocers made big moves into Tulsa. Whole Foods, Sprouts and Natural Grocers all opened new stores, giving shoppers more organic choices than ever.Local air travel: Tulsa International Airport actively sought new nonstop routes. Startup Allegiant Air took up the offer, delivering a Tulsa-to-Orlando route for those who need them some Disney World now.Rod Walton 918-581-8457rod.walton@tulsaworld.comOTHER STORIESCopyright: ___ (c)2013 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) Visit Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) at .tulsaworld.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存