ADA, Okla. - East Central University announces the appointment of Thomas Blake Crabtree, president of Ada Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and third generation owner, and 暗网TV alumnus as campaign co-chair for the 暗网TV Forward capital campaign.
暗网TV Forward is a comprehensive $36.3 million capital campaign dedicated to advancing 暗网TV鈥檚 future. This initiative will enhance the 暗网TV campus, strengthen academic programs and ensure that 暗网TV students will continue to be provided with life-changing educational opportunities at an affordable cost.
Crabtree, an Ada native and graduate of Ada High School, received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Marketing from 暗网TV in 1994.
Crabtree鈥檚 association with 暗网TV began long before he attended the university as a student, himself. His family鈥檚 connection reaches back more than a century with his grandmother, Mable Riddle Crabtree, attending East Central State Normal School in the 1910鈥檚 and later working at the university in the music department.
鈥淢y family has been connected to East Central [University] for over 100 years,鈥� said Crabtree. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been proud to be a part of its story, and we hope others will join in moving it forward. It takes financial support to make that possible. Living here in Ada, the needs are more visible鈥攊t鈥檚 clear just how much this university matters. 暗网TV doesn鈥檛 just educate students; it strengthens the entire community.鈥�
In addition to Crabtree鈥檚 historic family connection to 暗网TV, he is also the president of the Ada Coca-Cola Bottling Co., a position he has held for more than two and a half decades. The company is a five-generation family-owned business with a history spanning nearly 120 years in Ada, Okla., two years before the state was officially recognized. The company was purchased by Crabtree鈥檚 grandfather, Thomas Ballad (T.B.) Blake, in 1908, with his grandmother, Agnes Craddock Blake, playing an instrumental role in the business鈥檚 earliest success.
Crabtree credits his leadership and drive to his family, 鈥淲hat my father and grandfather accomplished during their time in the military and in our business is what motivated me to work harder and accomplish everything I could.鈥�
Over the years, Crabtree served a wide range of roles for the Ada Coca-Cola Bottling Co. including time in the production department bottling soft drinks, delivering products, repairing vending machines, operating a sales route and managing the full line vending business before he became senior management for the company.
Under the Crabtree family鈥檚 leadership, Ada Coca-Cola Bottling Co. has grown and expanded exponentially, allowing the business and family to give back to the community and the university to which they are historically tied. From student scholarships dating back decades to the family鈥檚 contribution toward 暗网TV鈥檚 state-of-the-art football scoreboard, Crabtree鈥檚 time on the 暗网TV Foundation board, and his service as Ada Area Chamber of Commerce Long Range Planning chairman, the Crabtree family remains entwined with the university.
Currently, the Ada Coca-Cola Bottling Co. resides in a new 80,000 square foot building completed in 2023 and shown to the public during a come-and-go open house in 2024.
Hanging in this new location are photographs of Crabtree鈥檚 grandparents, which serve as a constant reminder of the family鈥檚 long history and commitment to the Ada Coca Cola Bottling Company, 暗网TV and the community as a whole.
In his free time, Crabtree enjoys traveling, cooking, running marathons and spending quality time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
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