VOTE CHRISTOPHER OCCHIUZZO

On April 1, you will have the chance to vote for a school board member for Chisholm Public School.

Christoper Occhiuzzo (O-Q-Z-O) is dedicated to creating a brighter future for our schools. While Chris has a passion for Chisholm schools, his top 3 priorities are:

Pronounced (O-Q-Z-O)

Student/Faculty Safety

Open Communication among parents, teachers & board

Proactive Problem Solving

“MY PASSION FOR THIS COMMUNITY DRIVES MY COMMITMENT TO ENSURING WE PROVIDE ONLY THE BEST FOR STUDENTS,
PARENTS AND TEACHERS.”

WHY AM I RUNNING?

“Success of the school board depends on standing up for what is right and anybody that knows me knows that I will always stand up for those parents/teachers who need it. I enjoy building relationships, finding common ground, and driving action toward desired outcomes.”

Having lived in multiple states and overseas, Chris has been exposed to a wide range of public school systems. His diverse experiences, strong leadership skills, and commitment to his community make him a valuable asset to the Chisholm school board. His dedication to service extends beyond the military—he has volunteered in numerous organizations, from food banks and homeowners’ associations to Habitat for Humanity and Boy Scouts and was just recently voted in for the Chisholm Foundation board.

Chris is a proven leader who stands up for what’s right, builds strong relationships, and takes action to achieve meaningful results. His focus is on supporting parents, teachers, and students to ensure the continued success of Chisholm schools.

MORE ABOUT CHRIS

Chris Occhiuzzo was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, while his parents were stationed overseas. As an Army brat, he moved frequently across the country before graduating from Maur Hill Preparatory School in Atchison, Kansas, in 1997. He then attended Saint Gregory’s University, where he met the love of his life, Olivia. Chris earned his degree in Mathematics and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the United States Air Force from the University of Oklahoma in 2001.

Chris comes from a proud military lineage. His grandfather served 22 years in the Army as a mechanic during Vietnam, his father was an airborne ranger who served 20 years and deployed to Somalia, and Chris followed in their footsteps, serving 21 years in the Air Force as a pilot and navigator before retiring in 2022.

Throughout his distinguished Air Force career, Chris deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, and the Pacific while holding multiple leadership and instructional positions, including:

  • Chief of Safety – Vance Air Force Base, Enid, OK
    T-38 Instructor Pilot - Led a 10 person agency responsible for flight, ground, and weapon safety safeguarding $1.4B in assets.

  • Deputy Group Commander – 36th Operations Group, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
    B-52H Instructor Pilot - Ensured safe operations of 21,000 flights annually and let 6 Continuous Bomber Presence Rotations.  

  • Strike Advisor –U.S. Northern Command, Cheyenne Mountain Air Station, Colorado
    Developed nuclear strategic courses of action for the USNORTHCOM Combatant Commander to advise the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense in contingency and crisis action events.

  • Executive Officer to the Commander – Eighth Air Force, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
    B-52H Instructor Pilot - Advised and assisted the 2-Star Eight Air Force Commander on issues affecting 17,000 personnel.  

  • Assistant Director of Operations – 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
    B-52H Instructor Pilot - Supervised 90 B-52H crew members’ mission planning execution, and briefings.  Nuclear certified by the Secretary of Defense and ready to execute on time responses for any conventional or nuclear taskings.

  • Squadron Financial Resource Advisor – 43rd Electronic Attack Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
    EC-130 Instructor Navigator - Programmed and budgeted the squadron’s $250,000 year financial plan. Combat ready navigator responsible for precision delivery of electronic warfare to support US and allied forces worldwide.  

In addition to his military achievements, Chris earned a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the American Military University in 2008. In 2019, he and his family relocated to Enid, Oklahoma, from Guam when he was selected as Chief of Safety at Vance Air Force Base. Although no Occhiuzzos were born in Enid, Chris, Olivia, and their three children—Miles, Courtney, and Mary—have proudly called it home since 2019.

Chris has been an elementary, middle, and high school substitute teacher for the Chisholm School District for the past 4 school years and is also currently a pilot for Delta Air Lines. Chris is vice president of the Longhorn Aviation Advisory Council and volunteers weekly at Our Daily Bread along with other community organizations.