ACOG Leader Dies

Zach Taylor, 60, died early this morning due to a pulmonary embolism, Association of Central Oklahoma Governments officials said today.
As ACOG’s executive director, Taylor was described as a visionary. Taylor dedicated approximately 30 years to regional service.

“He truly promoted regionalism,” said ACOG spokesman Jerry Church. “This is a concept whereby everyone has a stake in policy and quality of life issues no matter what size the city, town or county they live in. As a consensus-building community, Zach knew things extended far beyond a city, and he was a real champion of regional thinking.”

Most notably, Taylor’s contribution to the community included the enhanced 911 system, which he spear-headed for landline phones in 1987 and later with wireless phones in 2005.

“He was actively involved in environmental issues – everything from water planning and air quality to legislative and policy issues that impact the greater metropolitan area,” Church said.

Among his many involvements, recognitions and contributions to the community over the years, Taylor served on the Steering Committee and as a stakeholder of Central Oklahoma 2020, a regional strategic planning and vision program for the Oklahoma City metro area, conducted in conjunction with the National Civic League. He was a delegate to the Presidents’ Summit on America’s Future held in April 1997 and was a convener of the Central Oklahoma Summit on Youth. The Central Oklahoma Citizens League selected him as the 1998 Board Member of the Year.

Taylor was a participant in the 1999 Tinker AFB COMMSTAR Program and a member of the Chamber of Commerce Tinker Leadership Council. He also was a participant in the National Security Forum of the Air War College, class of 2000.

Taylor was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials in 2001.