Building Excellence

#239: Brent Beshore is the founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, a private-equity firm he launched in 2007 that takes a mission-driven, long-term approach: investing in family-owned and founder-led companies and rarely exiting them. Raised in Joplin, Missouri, Brent studied politics (with a focus on poverty) at Washingt

#238: Wren Baker is the Director of Athletics at West Virginia University, taking over the role in December 2022 as the school’s 13th athletic director. A native of Valliant, Oklahoma, Baker built his career through a blend of coaching, educational leadership, and administrative success. Before arriving in Morgantown,

Hans Helmerich is the Chairman of the Board of Helmerich & Payne, Inc., a Tulsa-based energy company and the largest provider of land drilling services in the United States. He previously served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer for 25 years, leading its growth and innovation in the oil and gas industry. Under h

#236: Ritchie McKay is the head men’s basketball coach at Liberty University, having first served in that role in 2007-09 and then returning in April 2015. Under his leadership, the Flames have achieved multiple 20-win seasons, won several conference championships, and secured the program’s first NCAA Tournament win in

#235: Kelli Masters is an attorney, a sports agent, business owner, author and speaker.  Kelli fulfilled a childhood dream by becoming a National and World Champion in baton twirling, and Feature Twirler for the "Pride of Oklahoma" Marching Band in the early 1990"s.  In 1997 she was crowned Miss Oklahoma, winning award

Mike Matheny is the author of the New York Times Bestseller-The Matheny Manifesto.  He played thirteen years as a catcher in the Major Leagues, won four Gold Gloves, and holds the MLB record for most consecutive chances at the position without an error. He was the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals for six seasons, lea