Executive Board

OATA EXECUTIVE BOARD

President

Casey Paulk

Alma Mater: Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 2005

Casey Paulk is currently a Sales Executive with Sway Medical where he has been an advocate for athletic trainers and their processes since 2020. Before transitioning to Sway, Paulk’s career consists of diversified settings including professional baseball, Division I college, clinical outreach, secondary school, and career and technical education. He also serves as a consultant for PowerPlay, MedSpec, and Advanced Ultrasound Electronics utilizing his network to leverage better products and tools for athletic trainers.

These vast experiences contribute to Casey’s passion for Oklahoma athletic trainers and their advancement via retaining and recruiting professionals while creating new opportunities in our state. Paulk is the present Oklahoma Athletic Trainer’s Association President. Previously, he’s had the pleasure of serving with Big 12 wrestling tournaments, guest lecturing with MSAT programs, and implementing the social media committee. He also has experience serving with HOSA and leading the anatomy clay competition.

A native Okie from Blanchard, Casey graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) with a Bachelors in Athletic Training in 2005. Then, he went on to earn a Masters in Career and Technical Education from Oklahoma State University.

While not working, Casey and his wife, Cara, enjoy the many activities of their daughters Carley and Cambrey. He also enjoys fishing, spending time with friends, and traveling.

Vice President

Chandra Dyer, ATC, LAT, MSHR

Email: vicepresident@oata.net

Alma Mater: East Central University (2007, 2009)

Ms. Chandra Dyer is a BOC Certified and Oklahoma Licensed Athletic Trainer. She has worked as an Outreach Athletic Trainer with Mercy Clinic since 2009 and has been the Supervisor within the Sports Medicine Department since 2020. Since working with Mercy she has had to opportunity to work with all levels of athletes from youth to professional and Paralympic athletes with USA Sitting Volleyball.

Ms. Dyer currently is the Vice President of the Oklahoma Athletic Training Association (OATA) and sits on the Governmental Affairs Committee, in addition to being an Oklahoma State University Athletic Trainer Educational Program Clinical Preceptor since 2010 and University of Central Oklahoma Preceptor since 2020. Prior to working with Mercy Hospital, she was a 2007 Graduate of the East Central University Athletic Training Program and a 2009 Graduate with a Master of Science in Human Resources Administration.

Ms. Dyer is currently working toward her Master’s in Health Informatics with the University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Nicole Wilkins currently serves as the Oklahoma Athletic Trainers’ Association as Treasurer. Prior to becoming the Coordinator of Athletic Training Clinical Education/Chapman Clinical Assistant Professor at The University of Tulsa, she worked as a clinical athletic trainer and adjunct faculty member for 11 years at St. Edwards’s University in Austin, Texas. Dr. Wilkins graduated cum laude from the University of Texas-San Antonio where she received a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. She received her Masters of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Arkansas, and graduated with high honors from the University of St. Augustine with her Doctor of Education degree.

Treasurer

Nicole A. Wilkins, Ed.D., ATC, LAT

Email: treasurer@oata.net

Alma Mater: BS: University of Texas-San Antonio ’05, MS: University of Arkansas ’07, EdD: University of St. Augustine ‘18

While in Texas, Dr. Wilkins served as the Secretary for the Texas State Athletic Trainers’ Association (TSATA) from 2018-2019 and was a member of the SWATA College and University Athletic Training Committee (CUATC) from 2009-2011. In addition to her responsibilities to the OATA, Dr. Wilkins serves as the District 5 Executive Advisor for the Student Leadership Committee, as well as holds several leadership positions within the National Academies of Practice (NAP) and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).

Dr. Wilkins currently lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her husband, Chris.

Secretary

Aric J. Warren, PhD, ATC, LAT, CSCS, CES, TSAC-F

Email: secretary@oata.net

Alma Mater: DePaul University, Michigan State University, University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Dr. Aric Warren currently serves as the Oklahoma Athletic Trainers’ Association (OATA) Secretary and is a current member of the OATA Board of Directors. Since coming to Oklahoma n 2005, he has served the OATA in a number of capacities, including active involvement in Governmental Affairs and Legislative efforts at the Capitol, the Annual Meeting and Symposia Planning Committee and collaborative leadership in Oklahoma High School Day offerings. In addition to serving the OATA, Aric is also a program Peer Reviewer for the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and a former CAATE accreditation Review Committee member.

Warren serves the District 5 MAATA as Chair for Research Grants Committee and has been active with NATA service including a Subject Matter Expert, NATA Proposal Review Teams and the Board of Certification as a BOC examiner. He is the current Chair-elect for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation Education Resources Committee. Dr. Warren received the NATA Service Award (2013) and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2020).

Aric Warren is currently a tenured Professor in Athletic Training at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, having formerly served as the Program Director for the OSU CAATE-accredited program from 2007-2013. While at OSU he has also been involved in leadership and administration as the Coordinator of Health and Human Performance, and the Head of the School of Applied Health and Educational Psychology. Aric also instructs various topics in the OSU Osteopathic Medicine and Physician Assistant programs and is also a clinical member for USA Track & Field, USA Wrestling, and USA Volleyball volunteer Sports Medicine staffs. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presented his work at the OATA, MAATA, and NATA conferences, as well as international symposia at the World Federation of Athletic Therapy and Training. He leads professional development education workshops and seminars across the country in the topics of Blood Flow Restriction therapy, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, manual therapy techniques and manipulation of the extremities and spine. He earned his Doctorate from DePaul University and holds a Master of Science degree from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Past President

Leander Walker ATC, LAT

Email: pastpresident@oata.net

Alma Mater: Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 2006

Leander Walker has served the Oklahoma Athletic Trainers’ Association since 2010 beginning as the Young Professionals Committee Chair until assuming the role of secretary 2013-2018. After such, he held the role of president from 2019-2022 and now serves as the past president.

Walker is the Head Athletic Trainer at Yukon Public Schools and is an instructor in the district’s Medical Professions Academy. Walker has been employed through the Yukon Public School System since August of 2007 and has been instrumental in developing the athletic training program into a staff of three certified athletic trainers. Under his direction, the school has earned the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School – First Team honors.

While earning his bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), Walker was awarded as the 2006 Outstanding Clinical Athletic Training Student. Since graduating he continued to give back to his Alma Mater by serving as clinical preceptor for the university. Walker has also been spotlighted as a SWOSU Distinguished Athletic Training Alumni and by the SWOSU College of Allied Health Professionals. His accolades also include a PowerPlay Athletic Trainer Spotlight.

Currently, Walker also works as a consultant for Mercy Sports Medicine and Performance. He and his wife Randilyn (Warner) reside in Yukon with their daughter, Ella.

Committee Chairs