Burnett Family Continues Success in Tulsa
FAMILY BUSINESS: From left are Patty, Scott, Kim and Sarah who continue to operate Burnett, Inc.
GTR Newspapers photo
Scott Burnett is a native Tulsan and a successful local entrepreneur. He graduated from Memorial High School and attended Oklahoma State University, majoring in business. After college Burnett worked in the construction industry. Seeing a demand for fiberglass insulation, but a shortage of local suppliers, he brainstormed a new business.
In 1979, he founded Burnett Insulation with his father, Guy Burnett, Sr. The business got off to a good start the first year.
Unexpectedly, in March 1980, Guy Sr. passed away leaving the business for Scott to manage and grow. Armed with a sense of purpose and a strong faith, Scott kept pressing on. He developed the company on a set of core values and beliefs that have remained ever since.
In the early years, Burnett received operational support from his mother, Patty, and his brother, Guy Jr. In the mid-1980s Scott expanded the business to include windows, doors and siding under the banner Burnett, Incorporated.
He has worked hard to have a strong and respected brand in the window, door and siding industry. He notes that over 75 percent of his company’s business comes from referrals.
The company continues to hold its family roots. Burnett serves as president. His wife, Kim, is in administration. His mother, Patty, handles the bookkeeping. And his daughter, Sarah, is the marketing coordinator.
Burnett is very civic minded. He is a member of the University of Tulsa’s Family Owned Business Institute, Tulsa Executives Association, and Downtown Rotary. His company has been the recipient of the Better Business Bureau’s “Torch Award for Excellence in the Marketplace,” the U.S. Small Business Administration’s “Family-Owned Business of the Year for Oklahoma,” “Award of Distinction for Historic Restoration” by the Vinyl Siding Institute, and “Outstanding Showroom of the Year for the U.S.” by Associated Materials, Incorporated ().
He is also active in The Little Light House, a non-profit organization to assist children with special needs. He comments, “Tulsa is a wonderful community to have a business and raise a family. I feel grateful to be able to give back to the community in a great way.”
Concerning the success of the family and company, Burnett says, “When our family started the business, we dedicated it to the Lord. We try to live and act by the Golden Rule. We treat everybody with honesty and integrity.”
Updated 01-23-2012
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