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Jon Huntsman
Jon Huntsman, the Founder and CEO of Huntsman
Corporation, was honored as our Entrepreneur of the Year at the Spring Retreat Dinner
on Thursday, April 2. His wife Karen and their son, Markie attended with him.
Brother Huntsman spoke extensively about using our resources
and rewards to bless others. Sister Huntsman shared a touching story. Very early in their
marriage and without any significant financial means, her husband anonymously helped another
couple in need. Giving to others and treating others fairly have been the guiding principles
throughout their life, as they have built the world's largest privately held chemical
company and a net worth in the top 50 of Forbes 400 Wealthiest Americans. With notable
modesty, he recounted the growth of the Huntsman companies, and some of their audacious
approaches to far larger companies such as Texaco, who had no initial interest in
divesting of their divisions, but which with time and good natured reasoning, resulted
in successful acquisitions for Huntsman.
The Huntsmans recounted their friendships with many of
the Founders, including growing up in Pocatello with Denny Brown and stories of family sacrifices
to enable their father to pursue his doctorate at Stanford. Such stories, together with
their testimony and their challenge for us to follow their example in giving generously
to others, left a reverent and sweet spirit noticeably felt by all.
"When the bank said no, I've always thought, 'Hooray, I've
got them right where I want them.' I've always thought that no meant yes."
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