Story by Matt Kelly
Communications and Marketing Intern

At age 40 Brad Henry is the youngest state chief executive currently serving in the United States. His campaign materials were the familiar blue and gold of the FFA, an organization in which he proudly claims membership.

His background in FFA, the career and technology student organization associated with agricultural education, helped prepare Gov. Henry for future activities in life. Whether it was serving in student government at the University of Oklahoma or as a young attorney, the leadership training and skills learned paid off.

That is why Gov. Henry is being recognized as a CareerTech champion. Champions are alumni of the system’s programs or student organizations who attribute much of their success to their CareerTech experience, said Phil Berkenbile. Berkenbile is the interim Director for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

A third generation Oklahoman, Gov. Henry was born in Shawnee, where he attended public schools.

“I became involved with the FFA when I was a high school student in Shawnee. The experience had a tremendous impact on my life,” said Gov. Henry. “I wonder, in fact, if I would be governor today had it not been for my involvement with the FFA.”

As president of his local chapter and a participant in many FFA projects throughout the state and nation, Gov. Henry learned leadership skills that have been useful throughout his life.

“I learned the importance of discipline and hard work,” he said.

As a teenager in the FFA, Gov. Henry made a big investment securing a $10,500-bank loan to buy 15 crossbreed cow-calf pairs. He then sold the cattle to repay the loan and finance future cattle business. This investment was an incredible learning experience, he said.

“Most of all, however, I think the FFA helped teach me responsibility, the inevitable by-product of hours spent taking care of my prized steer, Babe. Along with responsibility came an appreciation of maturity, ambition and duty,” Gov. Henry said.

Taking the skills and traits developed through the FFA to the University of Oklahoma as a President’s Leadership Scholar he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1985. He was awarded the Letzeiser Gold Medal Award and was named the Outstanding Graduating Senior Man.

In 1988, Gov. Henry was awarded his juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he served as managing editor of the Law Review.

Gov. Henry then returned to Shawnee to practice law with his father, Charles, and to start a family, with his wife, the former Kim Blain. She was a Shawnee schoolteacher, and together they have three daughters, Leah, Laynie and Baylee.

In 1992 he won an election to the State Senate where he served for 10 years. In 2002, Henry was elected to serve as governor to the State of Oklahoma.

Throughout his campaign, Gov. Henry stated that his first leadership training came as a result of serving as an officer in his local FFA chapter.

“I have many great memories of the FFA,” he said. “It was a wonderful experience and one I would recommend to young people today.”