The Morning News / David KennardSayer shares Premier vision
By David Kennard
dkennard@cableone.net
POCATELLO -- Idaho State University students, faculty and invited guests Thursday got a flavor of Douglas A. Sayer's vision.
The president of Premier Technology was honored as the University's Idaho Business Leader of the Year, an award bestowed by the school since 1959.
Sayer is the owner of Premier Technology in Blackfoot.
In the last few years the company, which employs about 350 people, has seen continued growth in designing and manufacturing high quality equipment for industries from mining,
chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing to the departments of Energy and Defense, and become a recognized leader in the nuclear industry.
Speakers attending the festivities under the rotunda of the L. E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center said Sayer was the ideal recipient on the 50th anniversary of the award.
Sayers thanked those who spoke about his accomplishments, but said he looked at the award not as recognition for past work, but as an assignment to inspire future business leaders -- especially those attending the College of Business at ISU.
He said it would be the task of today's students, as well as business leaders to lift the nation out of its current economic woes.
Speaking about the economy, Sayers said, "I won't use the 'R' word. ... I'm calling this a depression."
He blamed the economic climate on the fact the "America has become a nation of consumers," and said waiting for the government to solve the problem was not a solution.
"The rest of the country is looking to us to solve the problem," he said indicating that Idaho was an example of hard word and integrity.
"This country was built on the backs of people who left their home country," Sayer said. "I know that DNA still exists in our country today."
Sayer was introduced by J. Brandon Bird, executive director of Bingham Economic Development Corporation in Blackfoot.
He said Sayer was in good company, acknowledging those who had been honored by the school in the past.
"Most (of the awards) are given when they (recipients) are gray and past their prime," Bird said. "Well you are gray, but you are not past your prime.
"As great as the accomplishments are today, they will be even greater in five or 10 years from now."
During his remarks, Sayer thanked those who came to support him, including family members and company customers. He also gave credit to the people in his company.
"It is not what I am or what I've done that makes this special," he said. "but those that have spent time supporting us."
No comments:
Post a Comment