rom humble beginnings, underwater at age 14 and drove FRoger Hardesty was born a milk route before he was old in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, and enough for a commercial license, spent his early life working was now founder and president the family farm with parents, of The Hardesty Company, Floyd and Ruby, and younger one of the largest privately-held brother Butch, as well as caring real estate development firms for the boys’ pet lion, Leo. After in the Nation. relocating with the family to His entrepreneurial spirit Tulsa, Hardesty began making his also allowed him other business mark on his new hometown. ventures, including Alliance His concrete finishing business Transportation and Bizjet expanded to single-family homes, International. With a passion for industrial buildings, commercial flying, Hardesty earned his first office buildings, retail centers, rating in the mid-1950s. Today, and multi-family housing units, he is founder and president of earning him the Tulsa Apartment United States Aviation Company, Association Hall of Fame Award. logging more than 15,000 hours Hardesty, who was laying pipe with 21 ratings and certifications. He currently pilots a Gulfstream G550, a Black Hawk ROGER HARDESTY Helicopter, and a Carbon Cub. FORT COBB/TULSA He has thrilled onlookers and passengers with acrobatics in his Stearman biplane, flying formation, and in air shows and television commercials. He has flown with record-setting test “You’re not going to find a harder pilot Chuck Yeagar and is known worker than Roger. He’s usually for flying diplomats, famous musicians and actors, politicians, the first person in the office and astronauts, including John and the last to leave. Roger Glenn and his wife Annie. knows that the road to success is In 2005, The Hardesty Family Foundation was established. paved with hard work, resilience, Their recent partnership with and determination.” Oklahoma State University will be lifechanging for individuals and families alike. DR. KAYSE SHRUM Hardesty says, “What we try to do in the philanthropy is support an organization that can make change occur. We have a certain amount of funds allocated to support the needy that need to eat and have shelter. But the Dr. Kayse Shrum, left, presented Roger Hardesty for induction to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. 40