Katrina Bedell Avers was elected to the Ward 3 City Council seat on Feb. 11, 2025, earning 73.9% of the vote. Encompassing 143 square miles across three counties, Ward 3 includes residential neighborhoods, agricultural lands, and industrial development. It spans eight school districts, seven Oklahoma House districts, five Senate districts, and three U.S. Congressional districts.

Councilwoman Bedell Avers earned a Bachelor of Science from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, which honored her as a distinguished alumna for her aerospace, defense, and education work. She earned her Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and has over 17 years of experience in the aerospace and defense sector. She leads the Safe Operations in Aerospace Research Laboratory at the FAA’s Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, helping ensure safety and innovation in one of Oklahoma’s largest industries.

Her leadership and professional excellence have earned her numerous national accolades, including the Oklahoma 40 Under 40 award. She is recognized for her expertise in organizational strategy, innovation, and practical problem-solving.

She has also served on several nonprofit and business boards, including True Sky Credit Union and the Minco Education Foundation, and consults with local businesses to foster growth and innovation.

In addition to her public service and professional roles, Councilwoman Bedell Avers and her family operate a small farm. She is an alumna of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s "Activate Oklahoma" program and advocates for rural development and sustainability.

A fifth-generation Oklahoman, Councilwoman Bedell Avers comes from a family of public servants—her parents, John and Belinda Bedell, were lifelong educators, and her husband, Jeff Avers, is a decorated law enforcement officer with over two decades of service. Together, they are raising five children.