April Tippens Mays has a wide array of experience being a journalist, playing/managing/touring with a rock band, working in the corporate communications world and the odd job of what can only be described as “wrangling BMX Freestyle athletes.”

 

After growing up in the Oklahoma City area and graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a minor in English Literature, April toured the World with a rock band playing bass guitar and singing. She also managed all the public relations and business affairs of the band. During this time, she also worked part-time in public relations for a non-profit organization, interned at the Oklahoma Gazette and assisted in managing the locally infamous VZD's Restaurant & Club.

 

Time came when April wanted to pursue other endeavors, so she dove into a job at the headquarters for Sonic Drive-Ins. During her time there, she helped develop Sonic’s formal philanthropic program and worked with organizations throughout the state to enhance their sponsorship benefits. She was the first point-of-contact on Sonic’s Crisis Communication team and assisted in developing the company’s Crisis Communications Plan. She also managed logistics for the annual convention, which included producing video segments, writing speeches and coordinating the awards program. She edited and wrote for the monthly, systemwide newsletter with a circulation of more than 3,000. One of her favorite jobs at Sonic was developing volunteer opportunities for company employees, including a tutoring program with a local elementary school and a crisis relief program after the devastating F-5 tornadoes in Oklahoma City on May 3, 1999.

 

In 2001, an opportunity arose to work for the accomplished BMX Freestyle athlete and businessman Mat Hoffman with whom April still works. During the past 18 years, April’s contribution to Hoffman’s businesses have included helping to raise funds for events, communicate and negotiate contracts, write and disperse public relations communication, organize BMX competitions and demos worldwide for clients such as ESPN, Target, Six Flags, Universal Studios, the Tribeca Film Festival, the deadCenter Film Festival and KIA. She has also managed Hoffman’s philanthropy working with national non-profits such as The Make-a-Wish Foundation, St. Baldricks and St. Judes Hospital. April acts as Hoffman’s business manager and supervises business development and administrative needs.

 

April has volunteered with non-profits in her community including The Homeless Alliance, The Central Oklahoma Humane Society and Individual Artists of Oklahoma. She lives in Oklahoma City with her husband, Mike, and their son.