Recently visited for the first time the Phillips Petroleum Company Museum located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The beginnings of this major oil company Phillips 66 began 107 years ago here in this city. In 2002 Phillips 66 merged with Conoco Oil Company and now the Corporate offices have been moved to Houston, with a new name Conoco Phillips. Remembering the Phillips 66 history is very important to this city, and this museum was a great community collaborative effort to make it happen!
Interesting to note that even though the merger changed the name somewhat, today there is another twist to the story because in 2012, Conoco Phillips repositioned into two stand-alone publicly traded companies, one of which is the Phillips 66 of today. You can view that entire timeline of both companies at http://www.phillips66.com/
The one spokeswoman I was honored to meet is Shirley Patterson, who now has 52 years of service with Phillips 66, and is not planning on retiring soon! She has many roles, but one she loves is volunteering at the Company Museum!
As you enter Shirley greets you and shares how to have the best experience while visiting both floors. She has personal stories to bring to life what you are seeing and feeling. She actually lived out the history and knew the officials and all the details of what you view as you travel back in time. You will be inspired as you see “the story of Phillips’ transformation from a small Bartlesville business to a global energy enterprise, and the extraordinary people who made it happen.”
Shirley is one of those “extraordinary” people! She is not originally from Oklahoma, but the close related state of Kansas. Her father was with the Walgreens Drug Stores and they traveled and moved all around. She ended up in Bartlesville working for Phillips 66 and raising her family.
You can tell from the spark in her eyes and the step in her walk that she is proud to be an employee of this outstanding company. She is a valued part of the past as well as the present and future. She has received many awards and is an active part of the Jane Phillips Society (formerly Jane Phillips Sorority) which was created in 1937 by a group of female employees at Phillips 66 whose motto is: “In building character, it pays to use only the best materials.” It was named after the wife of Frank Phillips who was the founder of the company. For many years this organization has contributed to the growth of women in the company, and given great service to the community providing scholarships and many needed contributions and services.
You can tell an Entrepreneurial spirit when you see one! Shirley Patterson is a shining example of how to live and work whether for a company or as the owner! Shirley takes ownership of her position and does whatever it takes to be the best wherever she is planted!
It was an honor to meet Shirley Patterson. I was introduced to her by my best friend of over 61 years, Kay Cunningham Reynolds, who is now a retired Phillips 66 employee with 38 years of service. See them pictured here together enjoying a great experience and history together!
Think you will keep working or are you looking for the day when you can retire? It is a personal choice, but as for me, retirement is not in my DNA! Here at “Simply” Sue Speaks! Global Booking Agency our speakers are wired with an Entrepreneurial spirit and are gifted to be able to help others create and be an Entrepreneur whether you are the owner or not!
