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At age 40 Gov. 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 Director for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
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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. |
Gov.
Brad Henry, former Shawnee FFA member, was presented with a replica
of his very
first
FFA jacket
during the State FFA Convention. The jacket
bears the original logo along with Governor Brad Henry on the front. |
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.”
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