Back in 2007, prior to the University of Georgia game with Oklahoma State in Athens, I sat with the media and gave my perspective on all things OSU football. I’ve carried that tradition forward annually, putting my thoughts in a letter in recent years as health issues have gotten the better of me. It’s a tradition I hope to continue as long as I can.

“As long as I can…” That’s a sobering notion, more, I suspect, for me than for you. I’m a lifelong geologist, and, as a whole, we’re a pretty optimistic bunch. I love to tell the story – over and over – about the geologist who fell off a 10-story building and, whizzing past the fifth floor, hollered, “I’m not dead yet.”  At 91, I’m grateful for every added day, week, month and year.

However, I’m realistic about being close to the finish line. And I’m working diligently to complete projects as quickly as I can and tie up any loose ends.

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the Pickens Plan launch. I began my crusade during the 2008 presidential campaign because I felt that it was necessary to refocus America’s attention on the need for energy independence from OPEC oil. 11 years later, the current state of US energy is stronger than ever. However, more needs to be done.

That is why I like to consider this day to be a special holiday I call “Energy Independence Day.” I celebrate today by honoring the dedicated members of the Pickens Plan, leaders in Washington who promote energy reform, and the commitment of millions of Americans to break our addiction to OPEC oil. I hope you will join me in taking a moment to reflect on the progress we have collectively made so that we may continue to focus on leveraging an “all of the above” strategy as it relates to energy. 

Imagine being able to buy a priceless piece of history – a piece of history that has been the site of heady conversations with presidents, athletes, journalists, titans of industry, and others, sitting around with me talking about deals, investments, and the future of our country. This piece of history – my conference room table – featured this past week in a Dallas Morning News story can be yours. For a price.

In a few weeks – May 22 to be exact – I will celebrate my 91st birthday.

I’m a lucky man, but I recognize a lot has changed for me in the past few decades.Twenty years ago, for example, I worked out with a trainer every morning. The goal was to be physically fit and, yes, help the body live as long as I could possibly push the envelope. But a stroke and a head injury later, I realize I could have been strengthening my brain capacity as well. Now recovering slowly, I’m all on that.

Supporting brain health research has been both a philanthropic mission and a physiological experience for me lately. In addition to donating to The University of Texas at Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth for educational and research initiatives, I’ve also been a participant in research projects.

During the seven decades of my career, I have had a great track record of building outstanding teams. I have always felt it important to concentrate on our goals, not the size of our organization.

To me, measuring profits has always been a better yardstick than the size of our budgets. There is little point in developing a $10,000 accounting system to track 10 cent pencils.

I credit much of my success to how well these teams performed. While knowing your team and supporting them in times good and bad are critical, defining a culture and setting expectations are equally essential. Communication is the key — there should be no surprises. If I’m in the loop, I’m on your team.

I find the most important question I can ask to start a meeting is simply, “Whaddya got?”

Great to hear an update on the U.S. energy picture in tonight’s State of the Union address. Great progress in recent years. Everything American. But let’s stay vigilant. OPEC talks with Russia are concerning. I’m sure Secretary Perry as the designated survivor is focused on that.

I grew up in Holdenville, Oklahoma, where they liked to say “the pavement ends, the West begins, and the Rock Island crosses the Frisco.” Over the years, the house where I was raised has been relocated from Holdenville to my Mesa Vista Ranch in West Texas and now mostly recently to Stillwater, Oklahoma where I plan to be buried.

Supporting organizations that benefit those who have put their lives on the line is important to me. These challenge coins sit on my desk as a constant reminder of the sacrifice others have made for our country. Thank you to everyone who has served.