Anautics is Represented at Presidential Visit
On September 12, 2008 President George W. Bush visited Oklahoma for the purpose of educating our people on the Health Savings Account. The local Small Business Administration (SBA) Director gave our name to the National SBA as a potential participant and the Whitehouse issued an invitation to me. Seven woman-owned business leaders were selected to participate in a roundtable discussion with the President. Anautics was represented by Dr. Johnson. The President actively listened to each participant’s discussion about health care needs of our employees and benefits offered by each company.
Also attending the meeting were OKC Mayor Mick Cornett, Congresswoman Mary Falin, Congressman Lucas, Senator Coburn, Senator Tom Cole, and Senator Dan Boren. The number of people attending the meeting only numbered around 25. There was one reporter from the Daily Oklahoman and one from the New York Times.
The meeting was held at the Presbyterian Health Foundation Conference Center in Oklahoma City and was hosted by the Oklahoma Women’s Business Center. Said the President afterward, “I do want to thank you all very much for, one, being pioneers; two, being risk-takers; and three, giving me a chance to hear your thoughts and concerns and — about a very innovative way for small businesses and individuals to be able to better afford health care.”
I was honored to be recommended, and I was amazed at the personable, caring, and attentative nature of the President. The seven business women spent about 75 minutes with the President. He listened to each of our stories about our companies and he asked personal questions. It was a most memorable moment. After he dismissed the group, he stood for about 20 minutes and spoke with us alone. Before he left, we all took personal pictures with him.
This was quite an honor for Oklahoma business owners and Anautics is certainly blessed.