The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is pleased to announce that Gary Oborny, founder, chairman, and CEO of Occidental Management, has joined its Dean’s Advisory Board.

“I learned how to make the most of my entrepreneurial interests as a student at Wichita State,” said Oborny. “My first business was a landscape construction company, which I started at 19 while studying at WSU. The Barton School provided me with opportunities that helped shape my career. Through my involvement on the advisory board, I want to ensure that even more opportunities are available for current and future students.”

With over 38 years of experience in a variety of business ventures, Oborny is the managing member of more than 30 holding entities across diverse industries, including real estate, oil and gas, aerospace manufacturing, wine and spirits, agriculture, banking, technology, manufacturing, and alternative energy. In 1997, he founded Occidental Management, a commercial real estate development firm. He holds a Class A International Builders Certificate.

Oborny is deeply engaged in the community and has played an instrumental role in founding and supporting several local organizations. He served as the founding co-chair of the Entrepreneurship Task Force (ETF) of The Greater Wichita Partnership and the e2e Accelerator (now known as Nexus), and Create Campaign. He is a member of the Wichita Storm Water Advisory Committee, Wichita Chamber of Commerce, Wichita Area Builders Association, Greater Wichita Partnership, and the Wichita Independent Business Association.

“Gary's extensive experience in entrepreneurship and his commitment to driving business growth in our community will be instrumental as we elevate our entrepreneurship focus to the highest level,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School. “We are creating a dynamic, world-class hub for entrepreneurship, and Gary’s insights will be crucial in making this vision a reality. His contributions will help strengthen our entrepreneurial ecosystem and create unparalleled opportunities for our students to excel as innovators and leaders in business.”

The Dean’s Advisory Board, comprised of leading industry executives and business leaders from around the world, works to advance the mission and strategic priorities of the Barton School, contributing to its goal of becoming one of the top business schools globally.