John Massey receives Leadership Oklahoma Lifetime Achievement Award

Press Release Date: 02-26-2010

DURANT, Okla. – State Regent John Massey, Durant businessman and Southeastern Oklahoma State University graduate (1960), was honored Feb. 20 as one of four state leaders at the annual Excellence in Leadership Gala and Awards Dinner at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City.

Massey, Chairman of the Board of First United Bank and Trust of Durant, received the 2010 Leadership Oklahoma Lifetime Achievement Award for using his leadership abilities to improve the quality of life for Oklahoma's citizens and its future generations.

"State Regent John Massey is most deserving of Leadership Oklahoma's 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award," said Glen D. Johnson, Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. "John Massey's entire life has been dedicated to supporting our public educational systems as the vehicle for our students to achieve their dreams.

"He is a gifted leader who has devoted over 50 years of public service to educational excellence, human services, job development and philanthropy. John Massey stands for the proposition that one person can truly make a difference."

"Each year we are privileged to recognize the individuals and organizations that make a meaningful difference in Oklahoma," said Ann Ackerman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Oklahoma. "We honor them for elevating quality of life and empowering our state for greater prosperity."

The Oklahoma Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Bill Burgess Jr., Chair, Leadership Oklahoma Board of Directors, Chair of Vortex, Inc., and a member of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Co-chairs of the Excellence in Leadership Gala are Donna and Bruce Lawrence, Suzanne and Jim McAuley.

Burgess said, "John Massey has been a colleague and dear friend of mine for decades. His leadership and service to Oklahoma is simply amazing. He has touched the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of people, and our state is fortunate to have someone who works as hard and cares as much as John Massey."

"I'm truly honored," said Massey. "I certainly wasn't expecting this. The other recipients make up an impressive list. I've spent my whole life committed to public service and I hope to continue serving in some capacity until I'm used up."

The Lifetime Achievement Award was first given in 1999 and Massey is the 12th honoree. The first award went to Ed Malzahn of Perry and the list includes H.E. "Gene" Rainbolt, Oklahoma City; David L. Boren, Norman; and T. Boone Pickens, Dallas/Holdenville.