Mick Cornett

Mick Cornett – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Mick Cornett (born July 16, 1958) is an American politician, former mayor of Oklahoma City, media professional, and urban visionary. Explore his life, leadership, urban initiatives, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Michael “Mick” Earl Cornett is a prominent figure in U.S. municipal politics, best known for serving as the Mayor of Oklahoma City from 2004 to 2018. He combined his background in journalism and media with a passion for civic development, urban revitalization, health initiatives, and city branding. His tenure is often cited as transformative in the city’s modern trajectory, and he later leveraged his experiences to speak, write, and consult on urban leadership.

Early Life and Education

Mick Cornett was born on July 16, 1958, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is the son of a postal worker (father) and a schoolteacher (mother). He grew up in Oklahoma City (a fifth-generation Oklahoman) and attended Putnam City High School, graduating in 1976.

For higher education, Cornett earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma. He then obtained an MBA from New York University (Stern School of Business).

Media & Early Career

Before entering politics, Cornett spent about 20 years in broadcast journalism, working as a sports reporter, news anchor, and in related roles at KOCO-TV (ABC affiliate) and other media outlets in Oklahoma City. He also founded Mick Cornett Video Productions and was involved in advertising and media consulting.

During his broadcasting years, Cornett covered local issues, including city politics (1997–1999), which deepened his interest in public service.

Entry into Public Office & Mayoral Tenure

City Council

Cornett’s political career formally began in 2001, when he won a seat on the Oklahoma City Council (Ward 1), defeating incumbent Frosty Peak by a significant margin.

Mayor of Oklahoma City

On March 2, 2004, Cornett became Mayor of Oklahoma City. He was re-elected in 2006, winning 87.6% of the vote—a record high for any mayoral candidate in OKC history. He won again in 2010 and 2014, becoming the first mayor in Oklahoma City history elected to a fourth term. He served until April 10, 2018, making him among the longest-serving mayors of major U.S. cities.

During his tenure, he also held leadership roles nationally, such as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (2016–2017).

Achievements, Initiatives & Impact

Urban Revitalization & Infrastructure

Cornett championed several major infrastructure and quality-of-life programs, including MAPS 3, a $777 million public works and development plan for Oklahoma City encompassing a new convention center, 70-acre downtown park, streetcar system, trails, and other amenities. He also oversaw MAPS for Kids, a citywide school improvement initiative in OKC’s inner-city districts. Under his leadership, the city leveraged nearly $2 billion in infrastructure investment that helped catalyze $6 billion in private-sector development.

Attracting Major Sports & Branding

Cornett is widely credited with helping Oklahoma City acquire its first permanent NBA franchise, the Oklahoma City Thunder, following the relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics. He also led efforts to renovate the Ford Center (arena) to enable major-league play. His efforts in city branding and marketing gave OKC a refreshed image—from being associated with the 1995 bombing tragedy to being viewed as a city of growth, innovation, and vitality.

Health & Wellness — “This City Is Going On A Diet”

In late 2007, Cornett launched the campaign “This City Is Going On A Diet,” a public health effort challenging OKC residents to lose weight collectively. The city aimed for a 1,000,000-pound weight loss goal; tens of thousands of citizens logged weight loss data via a website. That initiative gained national visibility (e.g. Cornett appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show).

Governance & Financial Stewardship

During the Great Recession, OKC under Cornett fared relatively well compared to many U.S. cities, with one of the lowest unemployment rates and a robust recovery. By the time he left office, OKC had maintained strong AAA bond ratings from major credit agencies—a sign of fiscal discipline. He also emphasized infrastructure investments, walkability, transit, and urban quality-of-life elements.

Media, Film & Writing

Cornett wrote and directed the documentary “Oklahoma City: The Boom, the Bust and the Bomb”, exploring the city’s economic and historical cycles. He authored a book, The Next American City, which proposes ideas for urban evolution and sustainable cities. After his mayoral term, he transitioned into roles as a speaker, consultant, and executive partner at organizations such as Magellan Executive Partners.

Personality, Leadership & Style

Cornett is often described as a visionary, pragmatic, and city-first leader—someone who uses storytelling, media, and data to galvanize civic support. He has emphasized that cities must invest in themselves, especially in times when federal or state funding is limited. He also believes in the tangible value of infrastructure and public “hard assets,” an idea he often contrasts with overreliance on social programs. Cornett tends to approach urban challenges through metrics, citizen engagement, branding, and incremental but bold projects.

Memorable Quotes by Mick Cornett

Here are several notable quotes that reflect his views on cities, governance, health, and leadership:

“We had a branding problem. We have allowed ourselves to be branded by our tragedies.” “When you have a lot of construction going on, it sends a message of vitality that builds up consumer confidence.” “I believe in infrastructure, I believe in investing in your hard assets. Where I think government starts to fail is when it starts getting itself weighed down with the social programs.” “Jobs follow people. People don’t follow jobs.” “Cities have to realize that whatever the federal government is going to do, it’s not going to be enough. And cities that proactively take control of their own quality of life initiatives are going to be the cities that ultimately attract the highly talented young people and create the jobs.” “We’ve got to get people out of their cars, out of those drive-thru windows, get them walking, get them in parks and get them more active.”

These quotes illustrate his belief in active cities, investment, city self-reliance, and community wellness.

Lessons from Mick Cornett’s Journey

1. Cities shape their own destinies. Cornett’s work underscores that urban success often comes from local vision, investment, and branding—not simply external funding.

2. Bold infrastructure pays dividends. Projects like parks, transit, downtown revitalization, and connectivity can stimulate private growth.

3. Leadership is storytelling plus execution. Cornett turned narratives (e.g. “branding problem,” “city on a diet”) into mobilizing public action.

4. Health and civic life intersect. By tying well-being goals (weight loss campaign) into civic engagement, he bridged public health and urban policy.

5. Sustainability requires both vision and pragmatism. His initiatives balanced ambitious plans with budget discipline and incremental wins.

Conclusion

Mick Cornett’s life bridges journalism, political leadership, urban reinvention, and public speaking. As mayor, he guided Oklahoma City through major transformations—bringing a professional sports franchise, catalyzing infrastructure investments, launching public-health initiatives, and rebranding the city’s image. Beyond politics, he has become a voice for cities, infrastructure, and civic renewal nationwide.