PATH FINDER


WES BRANTLEY CPA


THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE WRONG IN THIS WORLD, BUT WHAT CAN I DO? I AM ONLY ONE. BUT I AM ONE. I CANNOT DO EVERYTHING, BUT I CAN DO SOMETHING. AND WHAT I CAN DO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I WILL DO. – EDWARD EVERETT HALE


WES BRANTLEY, CPA, RETIRED IN JANUARY. AFTER 55 YEARS IN ACCOUNTING, HE HAS EARNED IT. Te 1972 graduate of East Central


University joined Horne and Company in Ada in 1967 and served as an audit partner for 31 years. In 1998, he joined the Chickasaw Nation as Chief Financial Officer for HQ Finance and in 2005 became a part time financial consultant for the Chickasaw Nation. However, as of Jan. 31, 2020, Brantley’s time will all be his own—not that he’s ever shied away from sharing it. “Be involved in the community,” Brantley advised. “For 51 years as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ada, I made snow cones, operated the merry-go-round and drove trains at Wintersmith Park in Ada to the enjoyment of thousands of kids, parents and grandparents.” Brantley has also served on the General Assembly Council of Cumberland Presbyterian Church and on the board of trustees for the Memphis Teological Seminary. His accounting expertise also brought him to serve


GETTING TO KNOW


WES 8 CPAFOCUS


on the Oklahoma Securities Commission and the US AgBank Board of Directors. He is a past chairman of the OSCPA,


past president of the Ada Chapter of the OSCPA and 2002 inductee in the Oklahoma Accounting Hall of Fame. Vicky Petete, CPA, CGMA, the executive


vice president and CFO for Vision Bank, NA in Ada, said in her nomination, “Last year, three of the individuals receiving the Path Finder Award each commended and recognized Wes Brantley for the impact he made in their lives. During his career and in life, he recognized the importance of giving back and supported and encouraged individuals to give back to the CPA profession.” “I was one of those individuals,” Petete continued. “My career would not have been what it is today had it not been for Wes Brantley.” Petete’s affiliation with Brantley began the first day of her accounting career when she joined Horne & Company in 1979. “Wes worked to not only make the firm successful, but also worked to help all


What is the strangest job you ever had? Top Secret Security Officer in the Air Force


What do you feel the Oklahoma or the U.S. needs to do better? Taking care of the poor especially the children


What item is in your office that you feel best helps you ease stress at work? Ice water to drink and walking around the building to clear my mind


employees be successful in their accounting careers,” Petete said. “I thank God I was one of those individuals and know that I’m one of many.” Petete said that while she recognizes


Brantley’s professional success, she is more impressed with his success in leading others. “Specifically, by inspiring action, being optimistic as well as humble, having integrity and displaying confidence,” Petete explained. Brantley said his advice to new CPAs is fairly simple. In addition to being involved in community projects, Brantley encouraged involvement in the OSCPA, the Oklahoma Accountancy Board and the AICPA. Additionally, he recommended continuous education, including courses outside of a CPA’s primary area of practice. “Work in as many different industries or positions as you can,” Brantley said. “You never know when opportunity may knock. What little achievement I have enjoyed came because I had the opportunity to work in a lot of different industries in my public accounting career.”


Which three words describe you best? Ornery, sincere, fair


What was your favorite gift that you’ve ever received? Model train when I was 13; I still have it.


What’s something nobody knows about you and they would be surprised to find out? I do not have an accounting degree. I qualitied to take the CPA exam under an old rule whereby you could sit for the exam if you have so much experience.


2020 Path Finders & Trailblazers


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