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Silver Spike Award
JACK O. (BUTCH) MCMULLEN SILVER SPIKE AWARD
Since 1991, a graduate of the Leadership Lufkin program has been honored with the Jack O. (Butch) McMullen Silver Spike Award each year. Named in honor of Butch McMullen, of the Angelina and Neches River Railroad, the award is presented to an outstanding member of the alumni who has excelled in their role as a leader.
The nominees should demonstrate leadership in their profession, church, and/or community, and be an inspiration to others to be involved in the community and plan for the future of Angelina County.
For more information, contact Susie Cardwell at (936) 634-6644 or scardwell@lufkintexas.org.
To view a list of Leadership Lufkin Graduates eligible for the honor, view the Graduate List.
2011 Jack O. (Butch) McMullen Silver Spike Award
The Leadership Lufkin alumni presented the prestigious Jack O. (Butch) McMullen Silver Spike award for 2011 to Carl Ray Polk, Jr. at the June First Friday Luncheon at Crown Colony Country Club on June 3, 2011.
Carl Ray Polk, Jr. epitomizes the spirit of giving back to the community with his time and talent, working hard for local organizations such as the Museum of East Texas, St. Cyprian’s School, and the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Board, among many others.
Carl Ray’s interest in the Rodeo and Youth Fair started when he was 9 years old. He won Grand Champion Steer and Grand Champion Show Heifer his first year! After that, he was hooked. His absolute passion for our youth and for the education of kids participating in Youth Fair has driven him to buy countless animals over the years, even providing for kids who have not been able to show and buying animals that did not qualify for sale. He has even had the privilege of now seeing his own children show, and quite successfully!
He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Memorial Medical Center of East Texas, The Board of Directors of The George H. Henderson, Jr. Exposition Center, and he is a past Chairman of the Board of Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce. He is an active member of First United Methodist Church.
Carl Ray was named President and CEO of Polk Oil Co., Inc. in March of 2003. Under his management and ownership, the chain of retail convenience stores grew from 11 to 29 locations, through both acquisition and new builds. In July of 2007, Polk Oil Co., Inc. was acquired by Brookshire Brothers, LTD, a 75 store regional Grocery Company located in Lufkin, Texas with sales exceeding $1.1 billion. He remained President of the Polk Division and one year later was named Executive Vice President along with being appointed as a member of their Board of Directors. He also served as a member of the Executive Operations Committee with Brookshire Brothers. He remains on the Board of Directors and serves on the Audit Committee of the Company.
Beyond Lufkin, he is a past Board Chair of the Texas Petroleum Marketers Association (the youngest person to hold that position), a member of Coca Cola’s National Retailers Council and served on various committees for the National Association of Convenience Stores. He has also served on the Board of Hibernia National Bank.
As with Youth Fair, much of his community involvement is behind the scenes or “the radar”, whether donating fuel for the Z&OO train, helping others in need, or contributing to countless fundraisers and events, not just financially, but with his time. With all that he does both inside and outside of Lufkin, we are extremely proud of and grateful for the continued contributions he makes to our community. Lufkin is a better place because of him.
Congratulations, Carl Ray!
The Silver Spike award is named in honor of Butch McMullen, who was a graduate of one of the first Leadership Lufkin classes. During his short lifetime of 36 years, he lived an exemplary life, being a leader in his work, his church, and community. He was a role model to all who knew him, encouraging them to contribute to the community and plan for its future. The Silver Spike award is designed to honor annually one Leadership Lufkin alumni for work over time that demonstrates these outstanding leadership qualities in all areas of their life.
Previous Silver Spike Winners
| 1991 | Trey Henderson | 1992 | Sheila Telford |
| 1993 | Dr. Patricia McKenzie | 1994 | Ronnie Robinson |
| 1995 | Kevin Smithhart | 1996 | Bettie Williams |
| 1997 | Connie Kennedy | 1998 | David Perkins |
| 1999 | Patricia Jones | 2000 | Dr. Sidney Roberts |
| 2001 | Bonnie Denmon | 2002 | Debbie Newson |
| 2003 | Randy George | 2004 | Todd Kassaw |
| 2005 | Andra Self | 2006 | Emily Watts |
| 2007 | Anita Caraway | 2008 | Paul White |
| 2009 | James Slack | 2010 | Libby Allen |
| 2011 | Carl Ray Polk, Jr. |
