Texas Business Hall of Fame

Ross Perot has a well-earned reputation as one of the greatest figures in the history of Texas business. He has another reputation---earned during his Presidential campaigns----as an intimidating and difficult interview subject. Last July, Perot agreed to be interviewed by Stonefilms for a profile piece on a new member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame, Dr. Kern Wildenthal. Perot, himself a Hall of Fame member, was to say a few kind words about the now-retired head of the UT Southwestern Medical School. Nothing to it, right? But I was nervous and fought to keep myself calm.

As videographer Larry Clifton and grip William Payne set up our equipment, I began to look around the office that had been designated for our interview, and my nerves began to settle down. There on the walls were beautifully rendered portraits, scenes of American naval history. I was so engrossed in a particular painting that I didn't notice Perot walking in. But he noticed my interest in the paintings. With a broad smile on his face, he introduced himself, and then said, "You like that? Wonderful artist. Have lots of works around the office. Great painting there. You know that battle?" It all sounded as if a telegraph was pounding away. I managed to answer. "Yes," I said, "that's John Paul Jones on the Bonhomme Richard."

And so it was that I not only got a terrific interview with Ross Perot; I also got a personal tour of the military memorabilia that filled his enormous office building----everything from medieval armor to a walking stick that once belonged to Osama Bin Laden. It was an incredible experience. Ross Perot could not have been more generous with his time. I think he really enjoyed having someone to talk to about "all that stuff."

This story underscores why, time and again, the annual Texas Business Hall of Fame video project is one of the most fascinating, surprising, enjoyable, and fulfilling experiences for the staff of Stonefilms. We've been working with the TBHOF since the early 90s, and in that time we've written and produced profiles of an amazing array of Texas business legends: Boone Pickens, Jerry Jones, Lamar Hunt, Corby Robertson, even former President George H.W. Bush.

These video profiles are shown at the annual induction ceremonies. Each year the team at International Meeting Managers plans and stages the dinner galas, and each year they manage to top themselves. This year the TBHOF gala will be held in Houston at the Hilton Americas, on October 15. The Class of 2009 includes: James Hackett, President & CEO, Andarko Petroleum; Philip Romano, the restaurateur who created Romano's Macaroni Grill, Fuddrucker's, and a variety of other dining concepts; Martha Turner, the legendary Houston real estate executive and philanthropist; and the Susser Family of Corpus Christi, owners of over 500 gasoline and convenience stores across the Southwest.

So now it's time to gas up the Stonefilms van and drive down the road to meet some brilliant people and have some wonderful surprises.
---Ronnie