Tulsa, OK- It is with deep sorrow that APSCO and OK2Grow report that Larry Mocha, CEO of APSCO and Co-Founder of OK2Grow passed away Monday, June 1, 2015 at the age of 68 after a short illness. Funeral services are set for Friday, June 5th at 11:00 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, Mason Chapel located at 6767 South Mingo Road.
Larry is survived by his wife, Sandra; daughter, Teri Mocha-Newton of Tulsa, OK; son, Scott Mocha and wife, Christine and their newborn son, Jackson Laurence of Valencia, CA; and his sister, Susanne Braddy of Tulsa, OK.
Larry was a tireless advocate and enthusiastic supporter of small business throughout Oklahoma. It was his desire to leave a lasting legacy for future generations that inspired him to create OK2GROW along with local entrepreneurs Lynda Wingo and Jerry Holder. Larry served as the Chairman of this nonprofit organization dedicated to improving high school completion rates, promoting entrepreneurism among youth, and developing Tulsa’s workforce pipeline. Larry built a solid team including Executive Director Stephanie Cameron and a Board of Directors to ensure that OK2Grow would continue to grow and thrive.
He graduated from Nathan Hale High School in Tulsa and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University. Larry’s father founded APSCO in 1964, and Larry was the company’s first employee. He took the helm in 1984 after his father passed away. As a firm believer in the power of innovation and ingenuity in the free market, Larry grew the Tulsa-based family business from $600,000 to more than $10 million in annual sales. Under his direction and by the time the company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, APSCO had established a global presence, expanded its manufacturing capability through innovative product development and acquisitions, obtained ISO certification and created a significant number of job opportunities in the Tulsa community.
As a strong advocate for the small business sector, Larry demonstrated what it takes to survive in the competitive market place. His insight and experience is why he was named SBA’s 2014 Oklahoma Small Business Person of the Year, Tulsa Regional Chamber’s 2014 Small Business Pioneer and Broken Arrow Chamber’s Manufacturer of the year for 2014.
Larry’s other notable advocate roles include the 2004 White House Conference panel on Securing Our Economic Future, Tax and Regulatory Burdens and Chairman of the Governor’s 2011 Conference on Small Business. He also testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Committee on “The Impact of Energy Policy on Small Business.”
Mocha was a dedicated supporter and leader of this community, serving on numerous councils and executive boards including: Chairman of the Tulsa Community College Foundation, Chairman of the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Manufacturers’ Council, Chairman of the Center for Legislative Excellence, Chairman of CompSource Mutual in Oklahoma, a member of the Tulsa Regional Chamber Board and member of the Junior Achievement Board.
Memorial contributions can be made to OK2GROW which can be sent to OK2GROW c/o APSCO, 8178 East 44th Street in Tulsa, 74145.
Media contact: Diane White at 918-770-3905| Diane@DianeWhitePR.com
About APSCO Inc.
Air Power Systems Company (APSCO, Inc.) was founded in Tulsa, Okla. in 1964. APSCO develops, manufactures and markets pneumatic cylinders, valves and control solutions for the mobile, truck equipment and automotive industries. APSCO recently acquired Winter-Fab, a turn-key precision metal fabrication company serving the oilfield, pipeline and mobile equipment industries. For more information about APSCO Inc., visit www.apscopower.com.
About OK2GROW
OK2GROW is a small business driven transformational force within the community working with groups and individuals in areas of education and workforce development. It offers three programs to support its goals: Scholarships to Success entrepreneurship program, High School Completion Coalition and Dream it Do It NE Oklahoma. www.ok2grow.org
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