Dana Weber had two dreams as a young girl: following in her father’s footsteps by working in the family’s manufacturing business and attending The University of Tulsa, as her father did. Little did she realize that at the time, both dreams would be realized in big, trailblazing ways. “My family founded Webco when I was 11 and I started working there when I was 13,” said Weber. “Initially, I started working there because my dad was there all the time, and it was a way to hang out with him. But over time, the business really got into my blood, and I just loved it.” Established in 1969 by F. William “Bill” Weber (MBA ’63), Webco began by providing manufacturers of heat exchangers with the highest quality tubing and customer service. Over the subsequent four decades, he grew Webco to be the leading provider of pressure tubing in North America, and as a top tier manufacturer in multiple other specialty tubing niche markets, including automotive, energy and industrial applications. Dana Weber knew attending TU would prepare her for larger roles at Webco and she embraced her education with a defined pathway in mind. “When I was in high school, I made the decision to attend TU and major in accounting and then I wanted to go to law school,” said Weber. “I probably could have gone anywhere, but I became totally immersed and enmeshed in the campus community.” While the faculty she studied under at TU were wonderful, Weber recognizes her dad as the best teacher she ever had. “My father was unique and amazing. I always say I’m the luckiest person in the world because I had a 45-year transition while working with him for so many years.” Dana Weber became CEO of Webco Industries in 2011, one of the few women leaders in this industry. The same year, she was also named Oklahoma’s Woman of the Year by the Journal Record. Since taking the company’s reins, Weber has led the company to significant growth including reported net earnings of $48.4 million in 2022, up from $5.6 million just five years earlier. Webco offers research and development and engineering services produced by an employee base that operates in a culture of family, work family, that is. Hers is not the only multigenerational family on the Webco team. In some cases, the third generation of families work at the company, which highlights the ownership’s commitment to these people and the Tulsa community at large. “For the first 25 years of our existence, I would say we were internally focused because we were surviving, we were growing and building, and so we had to be,” said Weber. “Since then, we have diversified and strengthened that base and so we’re able to look outside, giving back to this community that helped us throughout our tough periods.” “I think I’m probably most proud of what we have built from what my father started,” said Weber. “He created the culture and environment of a forever company, focusing on the long term.” Weber’s immersion in the life of The University of Tulsa continued after she received her two degrees. Since her graduation, she has remained active as a mentor in Chi Omega, the sorority that helped shape her experiences at TU. She is a long-standing member of the Dean’s Circle donor group supporting the Collins College of Business, as well as an engaged member of the college’s Executive Advisory Board. In 2018, she was recognized as an Outstanding Alumna of the college. Most notably, after four years of service as a trustee, Weber was elected to serve as Chairperson of TU’s Board of Trustees in 2020, the first woman to lead the university in this role in its more than 125-year history. She continues to serve on the board today. Even after all these achievements, being named 2022 Distinguished Alumna came as a surprise. “I was invited to lunch and since I’m involved in a lot of things at TU, I accepted with no idea what it was about,” recalled Weber. “When I was asked if I would be willing to be recognized as a Distinguished Alumna, I was surprised and thrilled to accept. It is a great honor. I know my dad would be proud." “TU is a university that Tulsa is and should be proud of,” Weber continued. “There are a lot of schools and colleges in Oklahoma and the nation, but TU is an outstanding university known for its academic success and commitment to the success of its students. I have been so proud to support TU in so many ways, and I will continue to do so. Under the leadership of President Brad Carson and the commitment of our alumni and friends, I know Tulsa recognizes the importance of TU and will be inspired to continue to support Tulsa’s university.