The first female treasurer of the United States and a Wichita businessman with interests in oil, gas and agriculture equipment will be inducted later this month into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame at Emporia State University.
David Murfin, CEO of Murfin, Inc., and the late Georgia Neese Gray, U.S. Treasurer during the presidency of Harry S. Truman, will be recognized at the KBHF induction ceremony during the 44th annual Team Kansas Awards Banquet on Wednesday, June 22, at Washburn University in Topeka.
Along with the KBHF induction during the Team Kansas banquet, the Team Kansas Silver Stirrup Award, Kansas Business Hall of Fame Awards, Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award and Governor’s Award of Excellence are presented. Reservations are being accepted through June 14. Tickets cost $60 per person or $480 for an eight-person table. Contact Mary Perez at (785) 296-4225 or mary.perez@ks.gov.
The ceremony marks the 28th year of inductions into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame, which is located at Emporia State University. Business leaders selected for the KBHF are widely known for their contributions to Kansas, and are recognized as role models. The KBHF recognizes historical contributors and present-day leaders who have made private enterprise work in Kansas and throughout the country.
Gray grew up in Richland, Kansas, where her father owned the town bank, general store and agricultural centers. After earning a college degree in economics, she moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. After nine years performing, she returned home to care for her ailing father.
After his death, Gray inherited the family businesses in agriculture, retail and banking. She became president of Richland Bank in 1938. She became active in the Democratic Party and served as the Democratic National Committee member from Kansas from 1936 to 1964, a role that led to her nomination as the first female U.S. treasurer. Gray died in 1995.
The interests of Murfin, Inc., include Murfin Drilling Company, Inc., a Kansas oil and gas production, exploration, and drilling company; and Murphy Tractor and Equipment Company, one of John Deere’s largest North American construction dealers with 28 locations spanning six states. He is also involved with multiple other real estate and business interests.
Murfin is the most recent past chairman of the National Stripper Well Association, member of the National Petroleum Council and immediate past chairman of the Kansas Chamber. He is a former president of Kansas Independent Oil & Gas Association, was a founding member of the Kansas Heart Hospital, and serves on the board of Goodwill.
He currently serves on several boards, including the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition, Wichita Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Bioscience Authority, Kansas Oil & Gas Resources Fund, University of Kansas School of Business Board of Advisors and University of Kansas Endowment. Murfin was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents in 2015.
Murfin and his wife, Janet, have three grown children and three grandchildren, all of whom live in the Wichita area.