Although he spent many years developing software for Fortune 500 companies, when it came time to launch a high technology venture, Ken Parker found everything he was looking for in Noble, Okla.

Parker was named to run Riskmetrics' software development operation, and he agreed with one condition – that the division be based in Oklahoma so he could return to his native state to raise his family.

Today, the company is thriving in a 5,000 square foot log cabin, and Parker's risk has been rewarded. Products built, supported and designed by programmers at the Noble facility generate nearly half of the company's revenue.

“I think we've shown, as many others have, that high-technology business can succeed in Oklahoma."