Alum Leads By Example as Top Black Executive at AT&T

Ray Wilkins isn’t about accolades and awards. But when they come his way, he is quick to understand how they can be useful for the greater good of society.

“This honor, just like those that preceded it, allows me to be a role model for others to follow,” says Wilkins, BBA ’74, who was named one of the Top 100 Blacks in Corporate America by Black Professionals magazine in its Fall 2006 issue.

The magazine chose executives who “lead by example” and are exemplary role models for the future leaders of corporate America by displaying a winning business presence and a dedication to community service.

An AT&T group president and a member of the McCombs Advisory Council, Wilkins also was honored as one of the 75 Most Powerful African-Americans in Corporate America by Black Enterprise magazine in 2005 and named one of the nation’s 50 Most Powerful Black Executives by Fortune in 2002.

“Inasmuch as I’m recognized, people—and especially minorities—see that you can be successful in a corporate environment, you can get past any of the hurdles that people represent as significant issues and can rise to a level of achievement that is commensurate with your abilities,” he says.

For Wilkins, “rising” is an apt word. He started young and at the bottom. Growing up, he worked at his father’s service station after school and on weekends. During summer vacations, Wilkins helped his mother keep the books for the business.

“At the age of 11, I learned that business was an area I could enjoy and be successful at,” Wilkins says. “It was always intriguing to me.”

Wilkins decided on The University of Texas at Austin for his undergraduate education because of the business school’s stellar reputation and because his two older sisters were alumnae.

In college, he worked full time at Joske’s department store, where he eventually became area manager for sporting goods. Wilkins credits this experience with enhancing his time management skills, as well as being a practical supplement to his business education. “I was able to apply the principles I learned in the classroom to my job,” he says.

After graduation, Wilkins began his career in telecommunications as a commercial assistant with Southwestern Bell Telephone in Houston. Since then, the Waco native has been moving steadily up the corporate ranks during his 32 years at AT&T.

“I’ve done tours of duty in a lot of different areas, and as a result things never got stale,” Wilkins says. “It gave me an opportunity to grow as an individual and advance. It kept me sharp and motivated, and kept me wanting to look at different things I could do to help the business.”

His current responsibilities at AT&T include overseeing the company’s international investments, Yellow Pages, operator services and public coin phones.

“I always sought out challenging assignments,” Wilkins says. “I think that’s what distinguishes people who advance in the corporate environment. They’re people who are constantly looking for challenges and are passionate about what they’re doing. That shines through.”

Outside of AT&T, Wilkins is chairman of the board of Cingular Wireless and a member of the boards of H&R Block, Teléfonos de México, América Móvil and the Tiger Woods Foundation.

In addition to his career accomplishments, Wilkins and his wife, Lorena, have a grown son and two grandchildren. “I hope my legacy is opening doors, being a role model and allowing others to achieve their potential,” he says.

—Chantelle Wallace