Dian Graves Stai

Dian Graves Stai (1940) is an American businesswoman and philanthropist. She is a co-founder of Owen Healthcare, Inc. with her first husband Jean H. Owen. Graves Stai was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 1996.

Early life and education

Graves Stai was born in Abilene, Texas in 1940. She was educated at the Texas Institute of Technology and McMurry University.[1]

Career

In 1965, Graves Stai was a single mother living in Abilene.[2] She married Jean H. Owen in 1969 and together they co-founded the company Owen Healthcare, Inc.[3] She also held roles as secretary and bookkeeper for an oil company and contractor for hospital pharmacies.[4]

After her husband died in a plane crash, she took over the company as chairman in 1979.[5] When she took over the company, it was in financial trouble and family members encouraged her to sell it. Graves Stai refused and she ended the year by signing new contracts with 22 new hospitals.[1]

Graves Stai also sat as Director of the Texas Department of Commerce from 1987 until 1991.[1] In 1997, Graves Stai led a company merge with Cardinal Healthcare and she created Mansefeldt Investment Corporation and the Dian Graves Owen Foundation.[6] She was also inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame and named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce.[3] In 2005, her work was recognized by the United Way of Abilene Board of Directors by honouring her with the 2005 Volunteer Service Award.[7]

Graves Stai stayed in her role as Chairwoman of the Dian Graves Owen Foundation for 19 years, before retiring in 2012.[8] In 2016, she was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame.[2]

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gollark: WRONG!
gollark: I'm thinking sinth, me, baidicoot, or perhaps umnikos.
gollark: If we can mostly agree on who would be a good admin, we can work on getting people to support them.
gollark: See, THAT's good.

References
  1. Krismann, Carol (2005). Encyclopedia of American Women in Business: M-Z. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 417–418. ISBN 9780313333842. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  2. Bethel, Brian (November 26, 2016). "Dian Stai inducted into Texas Business Hall of Fame". Albilene Reporter News. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  3. "Dian Graves Stai". twu.edu. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  4. "League Provisionals In Year's Training". Abilene Reporter News. August 27, 1972. p. 47.
  5. Liane Enkelis; Marion Lewenstein; Karen Olsen (1995). On Our Own Terms: Portraits of Women Business Leaders. Berrett-Koehler Publishers. pp. 125–133. ISBN 9781881052692. Retrieved October 31, 2019. Dian Owens.
  6. Ellison, Gary (March 5, 2018). "Dian Stai to Speak at Women's Leadership Luncheon at McMurry". news.mcm.edu. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  7. "ANNUAL REPORT 2018" (PDF). unitedwayabilene.org. 2018. p. 14. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  8. "FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES ANNOUNCES BOARD ELECTION AND INCREASED DIVIDEND AT ANNUAL MEETING". sec.gov. April 24, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
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