Gayle Lester, CPA
Gayle Lester, CPA, is a retired senior manufacturing executive with over 27 years of experience in industrial operations, financial leadership, and global product line management. She spent her career at ABB, where she progressed from cost and tax accounting roles into senior leadership positions including Controller, Operations Manager, General Manager, and Global Product Line Manager. In her executive roles, she was responsible for overseeing large-scale manufacturing operations valued at approximately $150–160 million, managing end-to-end business functions including R&D, engineering, supply chain, operations, quality assurance, and customer service.
Throughout her career, Gayle distinguished herself through her ability to connect financial insight with operational execution, enabling strategic growth and organizational transformation. She successfully led initiatives that expanded business revenue, improved operational efficiency, and strengthened customer-focused delivery models. One of her most notable achievements includes overseeing the relocation and consolidation of a major manufacturing plant across the United States and Canada, while maintaining operational continuity and enhancing product line performance. Her leadership approach emphasized servant leadership, cross-functional alignment, and building cohesive teams with a shared strategic vision.
Since retiring, Gayle continues to contribute to her community through leadership and advisory roles, including service on the Bartlesville Development Authority Board and involvement in local civic and organizational initiatives. She remains recognized for her integrity, strategic thinking, and commitment to team development. Her career reflects a consistent focus on driving sustainable business success while fostering environments where people and organizations can thrive.
• Certified Public Accountant
• Phillips University – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting and Finance)
• IMD Business School – Executive Management Development Program
• Outstanding Corporate Executive
• Ernie Mackinac Award for Professional Excellence, Leadership, and Community Service
• Bartlesville Development Authority Board
• Oklahoma Board of Accountancy
• HOA Board President
• Ernie Mackinac Award for Professional Excellence, Leadership, and Community Service
• Community leadership and civic development involvement in Nowata/Bartlesville region
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of strong mentors, good market conditions, and the quality of the business and products I worked with. I was also driven to continuously grow, take on challenges, and improve my leadership skills. My willingness to accept constructive feedback and never assume I had everything figured out played a major role in my development.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is: “God gave you two ears and one mouth, so you should spend more time listening than talking.” This has guided my leadership approach and helped me build stronger relationships, make better decisions, and earn trust by truly understanding others before responding.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I believe women should focus on applying themselves fully and seeking equal opportunities without hesitation. If you are willing to learn and take on different aspects of the business, there are no real limits to what you can achieve. While working in male-dominated environments can sometimes feel uncomfortable, capability and performance ultimately define success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One major challenge is the tendency for siloed leadership, where teams focus too narrowly on their own areas instead of the full end-to-end customer experience. Another challenge is maintaining strong customer support and technical expertise after organizational restructuring. At a broader level, companies in oil and gas manufacturing must better communicate their environmental improvements and demonstrate the value of optimizing operations to reduce environmental impact while still meeting energy needs.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value honesty, trustworthiness, and loyalty to my team. I believe in being direct and giving constructive feedback while also being open to receiving it. My leadership philosophy has always been rooted in serving others—ensuring that every member of the team has what they need to succeed and that we operate as one cohesive, aligned organization.
Locations
ABB
Nowata, OK 74048