DRG assists SWOSU to grow a new champion for Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry

Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry is the secondlargest and fastestgrowing industry in the state. As a result of this exponential growth, the industry’s biggest challenge is recruiting and providing talent to support the workforce demand.

DRG has taken several proactive steps to help higher education within Oklahoma expand resources, increase industry knowledge, and recruit talent to keep the aerospace and defense industry growing.

DRG currently supports efforts with the University of Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense MBA program. Leadership from DRG, including our founder and CEO, hosts a cohort of students every semester at DRG corporate office to hear about industry trends and advances from our leadership. DRG then takes that same cohort to Weatherford every semester to tour the Thomas P. Stafford Air and Space Museum and visit the campus of Southwestern Oklaho- ma State University (SWOSU) to hear about their Aerospace and Defense Workforce Development Program. DRG supports SWOSU in several different ways. One is as a founding sponsor and contributor to their Aerospace and Defense Workforce Development Program. DRG leadership assisted SWOSU in the creation of the program that launched in early 2022 alongside the dedication of the Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford Archives. The program has put SWOSU at the forefront among Oklahoma universities as a leader within the aerospace and defense industry.

In less than a year of launching, the university has successfully expanded its partnerships with aerospace and defense companies and Federal Agencies. This has helped SWOSU continue to showcase the university’s offerings and support to industry within Oklahoma. DRG leadership believes the Oklahoma aerospace and defense industry thrives when universities are supplying local talent to the industry.

“SWOSU sought to tell anew the exciting story of our graduates who work in aerospace and defense—our philanthropic collaboration with longtime benefactors DRG has made possible the effective sharing of our rich heritage, engaged present, and bright future in this critical occupational area,” said SWOSU President Diana R. Lovell. “We are grateful to DRG and eager to build on this partnership’s success as we work together to align SWOSU’s programs to the workforce needs of Oklahoma!”

The program helps the university share its rich history supporting the industry that went largely unnoticed until DRG teamed with SWOSU leadership to help highlight the program’s growth and increased potential.

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A full-circle journey from SWOSU to DRG

As a family-owned business, Brian Busey (SWOSU Class of 2005) and Philip Busey Jr.

Gray, Baresel dominate readers polls

(SWOSU Class of 2004) work together with their father, Phil G. Busey, to lead DRG.

Philip Busey Jr. credits the education he received at SWOSU for preparing him to help lead DRG.

“SWOSU is a great university because it’s a smaller school with a low student-to-professor ratio compared to other schools in the region,” said Philip Busey Jr. “The high learning engagement between students and faculty is one of the reasons it produces so many talented individuals.”

“SWOSU thrives because of the tremendous community support from Weatherford,” Busey added. “Weatherford leadership understands the economic potential the university has for Oklahoma and makes continued investments and partnerships for the school; not many universities are so lucky.”

With all of the positive factors working in the university’s favor and the success of the SWOSU Aerospace and

Defense Workforce Development program, SWOSU is proving its capabilities within our industry.

By having SWOSU continue to tell its story and capitalize on its success, universities like SWOSU are prov- ing they can be a partner to businesses like DRG and provide us with future talent and resources. With SWOSU succeeding, DRG does not have to reach out of state for the talent, it is developed locally.

By Rose Lane Editor

American Global Strategies Managing Partner Alex Gray barely surpassed Engel & Volkers President Joy Baresel in both the Facebook and Readers Choice mail-in votes to be named the Most Powerful Young Professional.

Nearly 150 Facebook users cast their for who they felt is the Most Powerful Young Professionals.

In third on Facebook was Laurena Sherrill, artist-in-residence, stage management, at Oklahoma City University.

Others receiving multiple votes on Facebook were Arilla Broadus, assistant director/manager Runing Wild Catering; Shannon Lockwood, Allied Arts’ employee giving manager; and Mackenzie Smith, attorney, Devon Energy.

In addition to mailing ballots to 280 community and business leaders, we printed a mail-in ballot in the April 7 edition of OKC FRIDAY.

The Reader’s Choice Ballot also deemed Gray as The Most Powerful

Young Professional.

Again, he was followed closely by Baresel.

Community Volunteer Mollie McCurdy was third in the Reader’s Choice balloting.

Other Young Professionals receiving multiple votes were Boeing’s Andre Caldwell, Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson and News 9 Meteorogist Lacy Swope.

“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32 (quoting Jesus). The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” – Edmund Burke paraphrase, 1767. If you want it in the paper, it’s advertising. If you don’t want it in the paper, it’s news.”

Ancient Chinese Proverb

“Without, or with, offense to friends or foes, We sketch your world exactly as it goes.”

– Byron, 1818.

“Every violation of truth is a stab at the health of human society.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1878.

“We must always stand – alone if necessary – as the conscience of this community.”

– J. Leland Gourley, 1959.