He served as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2016-17 and is one of the most honored mayors in U.S. history – top mayor in the state and country, and an international panel selected him as the No. 2 mayor in the world.

Newsweek magazine called him one of the “Five Most innovative Mayors in the United States.” Governing named him “2010 Public Official of the Year.” Politico placed him on its Politico 50 list of “Thinkers, Doers and Visionaries Transforming American politics in 2015.”

Cornett has appeared on national television more than 200 times spreading his optimistic and pragmatic vision for the city, state and nation. Nearly 1.5 million people worldwide have viewed his TED TALK on Oklahoma City’s health and wellness efforts.

During his time as Mayor, Oklahoma City enjoyed a remarkable renaissance that has included 100,000 new jobs, more than 9,600 new businesses, one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates and the rise of a dynamic urban core that offers arts, culture, great restaurants and NBA action.

He finished his time in office with a healthier community. He famously put the entire City on a diet and followed up with a wave of initiatives to change the built environment to promote healthier, more active lifestyles. Health scores from the Oklahoma City County Health Department in 2017 found the city improving in 15 of 17 health categories.

He earned a degree in journalism at the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from New York University.

He is married to Terri Cornett and has three sons and four grandchildren – who are seventh-generation Oklahomans. Read Less ^