094: Ken Busby-Rte 66 Alliance & Cultural Czar of Northeast Oklahoma

094: Ken Busby-Rte 66 Alliance & Cultural Czar of Northeast Oklahoma

by Garland McWatters | Feb 8, 2023

Ken Busby has served the arts community as an advocate, staff professional, and executive for three decades. He has been in the trenches and on the mountaintops. Through it all, he has built a portfolio of experiences that make him an attractive counselor and consultant to arts organizations seeking to strengthen their programs.

Ken has been honored by the arts community for his work and dedication. Leadership Oklahoma recognized him as a distinguished graduate of that program in 2015. Recently Ken was listed in the inaugural class of 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans.

Ken is the current Executive Director and CEO of the Route 66 Alliance, coordinating efforts among state-level Route 66 organizations to promote historical, tourism, and economic development projects.

On this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast, I talk with Ken bout his career and the lessons of leadership he has learned throughout.

Ken served thirteen years as executive director and CEO of the Tulsa Arts & Humanities Council

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Michael Benton, the owner of Sky Gallery, presents Ken with a personalized wooden Route 66 shield

Sam Extance, chair of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission, and Ken point out one of the neon signs that the Commission helped fund.

Ken with Maestro Gerard Schwartz at a Tulsa Symphony concert. Ken interviewed the guest conductors prior to the Main Stage concerts at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

Ron Prendl, Karen Pennington, Ken, Vernon Howard

(l-r) Ron Predl, former Dean of the University of Tulsa’s Henry Kendall College of Arts & Sciences Karen Pennington, and Vernon Howard. Ron and Vernon are music faculty at the University of Tulsa. Ken serves with them as tri-chairs of the TU School of Music Advocates.

Our appreciation to the Ross Group for hosting this episode of the Spirit of Leading podcast in their downtown Tulsa location.