Gooden Group

Oklahoma has received high praise lately concerning the business-friendly environment we have here in the state. Just two months ago, Oklahoma City ranked second on Business Journals’ list of most conducive places for the creation and development of small business. A model example of this would be Advanced Academics, which is headquartered in Bricktown. However, Advanced Academics might not be considered a “small” business anymore as their online instructional platform is used in over 30 states.

Advanced Academics was designed to help students graduate and succeed by creating an online learning environment that helps students realize their full potential and providing school districts with the tools to make it happen. You can learn more about Advanced Academics and their mission by clicking here: http://www.advancedacademics.com/index.html


Recently, Advanced Academics announced they would add approximately 50 employees to their operation and expand their lease over 9,000 feet square feet in the Bunte Candy Factory building in Bricktown. With this additional space the company plans to add an IT build room and a video production facility complete with a green screen and lighting equipment in order to produce their educational videos.

The Oklahoman published an article about Advanced Academics’ expansion. In the article, President and CEO of Advanced Academics Jeff Elliott said, “Parents and students in Oklahoma and across the country are increasingly turning to online education for quality instruction customized to each student's individual learning style, whether they are looking for a comprehensive virtual school or online classes to supplement their local offerings and school districts.” 

Going forward, it is companies like Advanced Academics which continue to make a positive difference in the lives of students, as well as a positive difference within the Oklahoma community.

Click here to read the article from The Oklahoman.

What started in 1920 as Macklanburg-Duncan is now M-D Building Products, and what began as a small weatherization company is now a much larger one – with branches in Oklahoma City and Georgia, a 90^th anniversary under its belt and ground broken on a completely new facility.

M-D has been an Oklahoma City anchor for almost a century – that’s something to celebrate, and so they did. On Saturday, October 9^th, the company commemorated 90 years by closing down Sante Fe Avenue, erecting giant tents, bringing in three different bands/musical ensembles, grilling hot dogs and hamburgers and opening their entire factory floor as an open house. Family members could tour the factory and see what their mom, dad, brother or sister did for a living. There were games, prizes for the kids, and big, inflatable obstacle courses – entertainment for everyone.

But the day wasn’t just fun and games: it was business, too. M-D Building Products broke ground on its new distribution facility, directly across the street from its current factory. The 80,000 square foot building will augment the company’s existing 450,000 square foot distribution center and extensive product line. M-D already makes a range of residential and commercial weatherproofing products, including door and window weather-stripping, garage door weather-stripping, pipe insulation and a complete line of interior and exterior caulking products – anything and everything a home or business would need to make its building greener and more energy-efficient.

CEO and President Loren Plotkin spoke at the event, as well as representatives from the city, county and state. When Executive Vice-President Larry Sanford unveiled the new distribution center’s plans, all the employees and their families cheered. It was easy to see the pride they felt for their company. I talked to many workers who had been there for 20 or more years and were along for the ride for many more. They spoke with immense pride satisfaction of their time at the company. It was evident that when you’re part of something steadfast yet forward-moving like M-D Building Products, it’s easy to fall in love with it.

Here’s to another 90 years.

Check out the videos below of the groundbreaking ceremony and expansion plans.