Teira Cole was raised in Lawton, Oklahoma. Upon graduating from MacArthur High School, she joined the U.S. Army as a Combat Army Medic. As a non-traditional college student, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education Magna Cum Laude and continued to Grad School where she obtained a Master of Education-Adult and Career Education Summa Cum Laude, from Valdosta State University. After college, Ms. Cole began her career in economic development as a Workforce Development Coordinator and Project Manager. Near the end of 2018, her family moved to Oklahoma where she transitioned into the role of Project Manager at the Lawton Economic Development Corporation where she oversaw the FISTA project. In January 2021, Ms. Cole accepted the offer to continue working with the FISTA Development Trust Authority as the Strategic Operations Manager. Her greatest achievements during her time at the FISTA were completing Phase 1 with a budget of $45 million and recruiting defense contractors to FISTA to fill the initial 105,000 square feet.

In June 2023, Ms. Cole joined the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education at Oklahoma State University as a Department of Defense Program Manager. This opportunity allowed her to continue building relationships with defense industry and military, while helping solve real world problems in aerospace through research and development. In January 2024, Ms. Cole’s responsibilities were elevated as the newest member of the OAIRE Executive Team where she is responsible for the team of program managers.

Ms. Cole currently serves as the Leadership Oklahoma Class 35 Ambassador and the President of the Association of the United States Army Fires Chapter. She previously served as the FISTA Recording Secretary, Fires Patriot Government Relations Committee member, AUSA FIRES Chapter Secretary, Lawton Business Women Government Affairs Committee Chair and served on the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Emerging Aviation Technology Sub-Committee. In 2021, she was nominated for 12:10 To the Top and in 2023 was recognized as a STEM Champion in the Lawton, Oklahoma community.

Teira Cole

FUNDING