Our Team
Burke Thorpe serves as President of the Jim Thorpe Memorial Foundation, where he leads initiatives that honor and preserve the extraordinary legacy of Olympic champion and cultural icon Jim Thorpe. Under his leadership, the Foundation advances its mission to celebrate Thorpe’s achievements, promote youth athletics, and educate future generations about his enduring impact on sports, Native American history, and American excellence.
With nearly three decades of experience in business development, government contracting, and strategic advisory work across aerospace, energy, and manufacturing industries, Burke brings a disciplined, mission-driven approach to every project he leads. His professional background complements the Foundation’s commitment to integrity, leadership, and opportunity.
Burke is dedicated to strengthening partnerships with communities, tribes, educators, and national institutions to expand awareness of Jim Thorpe’s legacy worldwide. Through his stewardship, the Foundation continues to champion programs that inspire perseverance, unity, and excellence — values that defined Jim Thorpe’s remarkable life and achievements.
BURKE THORPE, PRESIDENT OF JIM THORPE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
anita thorpe, granddaughter of jim thorpe
Thorpe, daughter of Richard Thorpe, was born in Oklahoma and is a member of the Sac & Fox Tribe. She began her work career by enlisting in the U.S. Army as a Satellite/Microwave Repair Technician. She met her husband in Darmstadt Germany and together they had two children Dakota and Alec. Thorpe has worked for the State of Oklahoma for the last 20 years and is currently a Contract Procurement Officer for the Oklahoma Military Department. She also serves on the Sac & Fox Gaming Commission and is a board member of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Richard Thorpe carried on his father Jim’s tradition by spending quality parenting time through the outdoors by fishing and hunting. A tradition I’ve carried on with my children and grandson Zev Thorpe.
Brooklyn Moore, Treasurer
Brooklyn Moore, great great grand daughter of Jim Thorpe, has served on the Jim Thorpe Memorial Foundation Executive board as treasurer for three years. Brooklyn loves being able to be a part of the planning for growth and progress for the future of the foundation.
Brooklyn lives in Yale, Oklahoma. She recently graduated with her Masters in Business Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She received her Bachelors in Business Management from Oklahoma State University.
Brooklyn started her career working in a local restaurant from ages 16 to 22. Currently, she is a clinic manager for a laser hair removal company. She also has experience in finance and banking, alongside a a strong sales background. She is passionate about connecting with people, and looks forward to continuing doing so while working for Jim Thorpe Memorial Foundation.
Paul King
Trained as an artist, Paul King chose to be an educator. As early as seventh grade, his career goals were set. Paul wanted to become either a Major League Baseball player or a graphic designer. When collegiate competition shifted his path, he devoted himself fully to the arts.
After graduating from Ardmore High School, he attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, earning a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. Determined to further refine his skills, he enrolled at OSU Institute of Technology in Okmulgee. With these applied design foundations, he achieved his goal of becoming a graphic designer and illustrator at the Oklahoma Publishing Company (OPUBCO) in Oklahoma City.
While at OPUBCO, a call from an OSU/IT instructor about a graphic design teaching opportunity changed the trajectory of his life. Teaching quickly became his true purpose—preparing students for success in the creative field. He began his teaching career at Charles Page High School in Sand Springs before moving to Tulsa Tech’s Lemley Campus. After 36 years of service in CareerTech education, he retired in 2012 to return to his artistic roots, focusing on showcasing his Choctaw heritage through artwork presented at art markets throughout Oklahoma.
He is a proud new member of the Jim Thorpe Memorial Foundation, having joined in June 2025. Deeply committed to promoting Jim Thorpe’s legacy, he is honored to serve. He brings to the Foundation a wealth of experience as an educator, artist, and board member in multiple organizations.
RUFUS L Forrest, JR.
Rufus currently provides chief consulting and advisory services for Defense/Aerospace related programs.
He has spent several years in the aerospace manufacturing and services industry working with both large and small DOD suppliers as well as Qualified Native American Tribal 8(a) and Native Hawaiian Organization businesses. Prior to that he served as the Executive Administrator of Military programs for the world’s largest combat veterans’ fraternal organization. Rufus is a retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General with more than 37 years of service during which time he held a number of key command and staff positions. As a command aviator, he has logged more than 6,800 hours in tanker aircraft to include theater combat support missions in Southeast Asia, Desert Storm, Operations Northern Watch, Deliberate Guard, Allied Force, and combat missions during Deny Flight.
Rufus holds an associate degree in aviation technology from Washburn University, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma State University, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. He is a graduate of the Air War College and completed the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Executive Development Seminar. He is a recognized Alumni Fellow of Washburn University, Topeka, KS.
Rufus has served on numerous state and national boards; is Past Chairman of the Kansas Aviation Advisory Committee for the Kansas Department of Transportation. He served as an industry representative to the Governor’s Military Council and an appointed military retired representative to the Veterans Advisory Committee of Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS). Rufus is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Jim Thorpe Memorial Foundation; a member of the Oklahoma Defense Industry Association; and a volunteer for the Kansas Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. He resides in Wichita, Kansas with his wife Susan.
