Hall of Fame Member Biographies

J. Loy “Jay” Helm

J. Loy “Jay” Helm is chairman of American Residential Group, a commercial real estate firm engaged in developing and managing multifamily residential properties throughout the Sunbelt region, focusing on Oklahoma and Texas.  
A native of Missouri, Jay reluctantly moved to Tulsa with his family at 15, graduating from Tulsa Edison High School. He chose to attend Oklahoma State University, where his love for the Cowboys and our state flourished. A member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, an experience that deepened his passion for OSU, Helm graduated in 1970 with a bachelor of science in business administration, immediately throwing himself into supporting his alma mater as a football and basketball booster. 

After graduation, Jay went to work for the Roger Hardesty Company, managing the home building division. After a few years, he moved to Midland Mortgage, now known as MidFirst Bank. Prior to forming the American Residential Group in 1997, he served as managing partner for the Lincoln Property Company in the Oklahoma and Arkansas Regions.

In 2001, Helm’s passion for broad and equal access to quality public higher education was recognized by Gov. Brad Henry, and he was appointed to the OSU Board of Regents, where he served until, he was appointed to the State Regents for Higher Education in 2013. He served there until his retirement in 2022 and is now a member of the Board of Trustees for OSU Medical Authority and the OSU Medical Trust.

Jay has previously served on the boards of the University Center at Tulsa, F&M Bank and Trust Company, and the MapleMark Bank. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce and is active in a number of other civic projects, including the Tulsa Area United Way and the Alzheimer’s Association. He also remains an active member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

OSU has honored Jay Helm three times. In 2009, he received the OSU-CHS Distinguished Public Service Award; in 2014, he made the Spears School Tributes: 100 for 100 list; and in 2022, he was inducted into the OSU Spears School of Business Hall of Fame. He is in the Proud and Immortal Club for supporting the university in so many areas, including multiple endowed scholarships. 

Jay and his wife, Fayenelle, have been married for 43 years and have a daughter, Christian Helm Leikam, son-in-law, Robert Kip Leikam, Jr., and two grandchildren, Nellie and RK.