A deal struck in 2008 between Canadian, Texas leading citizens Salem and Ruth Ann Abraham and longtime Roberts County landowner and philanthropist T. Boone Pickens continues to support the Panhandle educational system and help its youth attain opportunities to pursue their dreams.

Forbes has released a special centennial issue featuring “The World’s 100 Greatest Living Business Minds.” Over the past century, Forbes has been recording the most pivotal moments in business, inspiring the doers to help change the world for the better. Now, they are recognizing innovators who have left a lasting impact on business and the world. Today, I am very proud and honored to find myself on their list.

I have always been for an all-the-above approach to this nation’s energy policy, but that doesn’t mean we need to jam a square peg in a round hole. Solar, wind, electric and natural gas all have their place, but it must be in accordance with an appropriate application. President Obama tried to grease that square peg into a round hole, choosing energy favorites with a hefty $2.7 billion, supplied by Volkswagen. Now, there is an opportunity for the states to correct that mistake and implement a more effective energy plan.

Ten years ago tomorrow I began a tradition that was important to me. At the start of every Oklahoma State football season, I would meet with the media and share my thoughts and expectations for the program. To me, the little gaggle with the press was very personal. It was something I looked forward to … Continue reading Statement From T. Boone Pickens – Thursday, August 31, 2017 →

I have a great affinity for the word “Mesa.” I grew Mesa Petroleum into one of the nation’s largest independent oil companies. My 68,000-acre Mesa Vista Ranch, in the far northeast corner of the Texas Panhandle, is my favorite place on earth. A number of my other concerns, including Mesa Natural Gas Solutions, have also born the name.

U.S. military veterans founded Mesa Natural Gas Solutions and comprise more than 60 percent of its employees. The company has more than 200 years of combined military service and more than 30 overseas deployments in its ranks, all the way up to the top. Mesa’s President and CEO, Scott Gromer, retired after 23 plus years of military service, including two unit commands, three deployments in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as Major in the Wyoming Army National Guard. Mesa not only hires, employs, and promotes both veterans and active duty service members, but the company also supports them however it can.

The other day, my team uncovered some videos of the news interviews I had done back in the 1980s. Those were heady times. It was the start of the corporate takeover and shareholder rights era, and I was not just in the thick of it, I was driving it. And communicating clearly and effectively was critical to our success.

Strong communication has always been my core asset. I’ve always believed you can trace every problem to a lack of communication or lack of clarity in communication.

These days, I sometimes find myself literally at a loss for words. Over the Christmas holiday, I had several strokes. But with a little determination and some aggressive speech therapy, I regained 90 percent of my speech.

However, last week, I had a Texas-sized fall — one that required hospitalization. I am still mentally strong, and I comprehend and process information like I did before the incident. It’s just a little hard to find the words I’m looking for to speak clearly. Speech therapy will fix that, I’m confident.

Just as I exercise my body daily I will exercise my brain and continue with rigorous speech therapy to regain what I can. I am always up for a good challenge.

Last month I turned 89 years old, mindful of the fact I’m now 24 years beyond traditional retirement age. My post-65 era has included the most productive years of my life. I was 68 when I left Mesa Petroleum. I turned out the lights at 6 p.m. my last day in the office, as I … Continue reading The Old Man Makes a Comeback →