Busey Jr. honored as one of Oklahoma's Achievers Under 40
May 16, 2008

TULSA, Okla. - Philip Busey, Jr. vice president of communications for the Busey Group of Companies was one of 40 Oklahoman's honored Thursday at the Journal Record's annual "Achievers Under 40" awards ceremony at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center. Busey Jr., 27, was the third youngest named to Class V.
In a front-page article in today's Journal Record, Mary Melon, publisher of the Journal Record, said the achievers are visionaries who embrace the sprit of community through many activities they are involved with.
"I am confident it will be the leaders in this room who will be writing the history of our state for the next 100 years," she said. (Read complete article here).
The Journal Record publishes the annual Achievers Under 40 Magazine that hit newsstands today. Below is the write-up on Busey included in that publication.

2008 Honoree Philip Busey Jr.

Quote: "Never overlook the importance of history. If you learn from the past, you can understand the future." - Phil G. Busey Sr.

Second quote: "Before you are a leader; success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader; success is about growing others." - Jack Welch

Philip Busey Jr. developed the knack to simultaneously undertake multiple projects while in college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.

While a full-time student at SWOSU, he worked for the college newspaper and its public relations office as well as served as sports editor for the Weatherford Daily News - all at the same time.

Busey's multitasking abilities have also helped him succeed in the business world. During the 2006 elections, he served as communications director in Cody Graves's statewide race for Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner while managing day-to-day business operations as vice president of communications for Busey Group of Companies.

Within the last year he played an instrumental role in taking Busey Group of Companies, traditionally an aerospace-based company, into the energy industry. This expansion provided a big boom for the company, founded by his father, Phil G. Busey. The company reported 2007 revenue of approximately $13 million and added 85 employees since November, increasing its number of total employees to more than 225.

"Because of the expansion, 2008 is projected to exceed $20 million. This has allowed me the responsibility to take the initiative to continue business expansion and diversify the company brand and image I originally created in 2005," said Busey, who consults with his father on a daily basis as he learns all aspects of business.

"One of his teaching methods is to empower me to make business decisions that affect the company. He allows me to succeed, take responsibility and most importantly, make mistakes. He allows my mistakes to be learning experiences that both build my confidence and develop valuable knowledge."

Busey has a bachelor's degree in communication arts from SWOSU and a master certification in government contracting from Rose State College.

As an intern for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., in 2002, Busey received a Certificate of Pride in Public Service. Last year, the Oklahoma City chapter of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce named him Co-Volunteer of the Year. He currently serves as vice chairman of the group.

His other civic involvement includes serving on the administrative board and finance committee of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. He also serves on the advisory council of American University's Washington Internship for Native Students Program and is a member of the planning committee for Oklahoma's annual Native American Heritage Day Celebration. In addition, he is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and the SWOSU Alumni Association.