Alumnus Lex Taylor encourages MSU grads to embrace the worldās changes
Contact: James Carskadon
As »ØŠćÖ±²„ Stateās nearly 1,500 graduates embark on the next phase of their lifeās journey, alumnus William A. āLexā Taylor III encourages them not to be afraid of change.
Taylor, chairman and CEO of The Taylor Group of Companies, Inc., addressed graduates at MSUās fall 2019 commencement ceremonies Friday [Dec. 13] at Humphrey Coliseum.
āDonāt be afraid of change,ā Taylor said. āMany of your peers will be satisfied with the status quo. Donāt be.ā
During his speech, Taylor noted that his father and grandfather adapted to change as they successfully built and expanded the family business, Louisville-based Taylor Machine Works. Taylor has served as chairman of the board of the company since 2008 and has overseen the company as it has grown and diversified, resulting in the formation of The Taylor Group of Companies, Inc. The company is one of the only privately held manufacturers of industrial lift trucks operating in America today
Taylor is currently the chair of the »ØŠćÖ±²„ Economic Council, the stateās chamber of commerce. Other business leadership includes previously serving as chairman of the »ØŠćÖ±²„ Manufacturers Association and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. A 1977 graduate of MSUās College of Business, he noted the many technological breakthroughs that have taken place since his graduation. He also mentioned several MSU alumni that are making an impact, such as Entergy »ØŠćÖ±²„ President and CEO Haley Fisackerly, best-selling author John Grisham, Freeport-McMoRan President and CEO Richard Adkerson, and Oasis Petroleum Director and CEO Tommy Nusz.
āIf you trust in yourself, be patient and remember to use your confidence in the right measure, your opportunities will be abundant,ā Taylor said. āYour job, your life, your accomplishments have just begun. Make something of the time you are given. Enhance your degree, contribute to a cause, build a family, build a business. Whatever you do, do something great.ā
Taylor has served as treasurer on the MSU Foundation Board of Directors, as well as chairman of the College of Business Advisory Board. He was named the College of Businessā Alumnus of the Year in 2007. The Taylor Group of Companies and the Taylor family enjoy a long history of supporting »ØŠćÖ±²„ State, helping make possible the Taylor Solid Mechanics Laboratory in Carpenter Hall and the W.A. Taylor Jr. Auditorium in the Leo Seal Family Business Complex, among other generous philanthropy.
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