Published: 12-16-08
Honor to be presented in New Braunfels on March 19
NEW BRAUNFELS Texas – Famed business pioneer and innovator T. Boone Pickens has been named Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference the well-known annual statewide forum that is marking its 43nd year. The announcement was made by Advisory Committee Chair and State Rep. Edmund Kuempel.
Pickens will be presented the award Thursday evening March 19 at a special reception in his honor at the New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center. He will be joining an array of prominent past honorees since 1974 that includes First Lady Laura Bush Barbara Jordan and Lady Bird Johnson.
The Texas Legislative Conference is a non-partisan organization of Texas business and political leaders who meet annually in New Braunfels to focus on public policy issues. This year’s topics include the State Energy Plan Economic Outlook for Texas and a Media Pundits Panel focusing on the 81st state legislative session.
T. Boone Pickens is a longtime Texan known for his wealth of experience in the oil and gas industry. He is the founder and chairman of BP Capital Management. In 2008 Pickens launched an ambitious self-funded grassroots campaign aimed at reducing the nation’s dependence on imported oil. He has been a frequent guest on some of the nation’s most watched television programs and has appeared regularly in national and international publications.
Conference organizers also credited Pickens generosity as a philanthropist making contributions of more than $600 million to date. The Pickens Foundation is focused on improving lives through grants supporting educational programs medical research athletics and corporate wellness at-risk youth the entrepreneurial process and conservation of wildlife initiatives. Recipients have included two University of Texas health care institutions the American Red Cross for hurricane disaster relief and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
“During his long and distinguished career Mr. Pickens has served on numerous boards and industry associations that have benefited the State of Texas including his work with the Horatio Alger Association and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center” Kuempel stated.
Pickens is the recipient of many honors including the Horatio Alger Award Texas Women’s University 2008 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award and he has been inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. Pickens lives in Dallas and is married to Madeleine Ann Pickens and they have five children and 12 grandchildren.
Information on registration and tickets for both the Thursday evening March 19 Texan of the Year reception and the Friday March 20 half-day conference program may be obtained from the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce at (830) 625-2385 or by emailing sandi@nbcham.org.
