Leadership Texarkana 2026
/
Gary Kusin was the keynote speaker for Leadership Texarkana’s 2026 graduation program. photo by shane darby
Iconic Local Leader Speaks to Leadership Texarkana Graduates
By Dr. Robin Rogers
Before this year’s graduates of Leadership Texarkana are recognized, it is fitting to spotlight one of Texarkana’s most accomplished business leaders, Gary Kusin, who served as the keynote speaker for the organization’s 2026 graduation program.
Born in 1951 and raised in Texarkana, Kusin credits much of his success to the strong sense of community that shaped his early years. A 1969 graduate of Texas High School, he remembers a hometown where parents, teachers, churches, and neighbors all worked together to guide young people and encourage them to succeed.
“Texarkana was a fabulous place to grow up,” Kusin said. “It created an environment where kids knew they were being watched and, more importantly, that everyone really did have their best interests at heart.”
As a student, Kusin was heavily involved in school activities at Spring Lake Park Elementary, F. Ben Pierce Junior High, and Texas High School. Outside the classroom, some of his favorite memories came from working at his father’s furniture business in downtown Texarkana, where he helped unload railcars, move furniture, and make deliveries across the four states area. Those experiences, he said, taught him independence, responsibility, and the value of hard work.
After graduating from Texas High, Kusin attended The University of Texas at Austin before earning his MBA from Harvard Business School. While attending college and graduate school, he realized that the educational foundation he received in Texarkana had prepared him well academically and socially.
One of the most significant moments in Kusin’s life happened during his Texas High graduation ceremony, at which the commencement speaker was fellow Texarkana native Ross Perot. Because Kusin served as student body president, he sat beside Perot during the ceremony. That introduction sparked a lifelong mentorship and friendship that would eventually help launch Kusin’s business career.
Years later, when Kusin decided to start his own company, Perot became one of the earliest investors in Babbage’s, a software and video game retailer cofounded by Kusin in 1984. The company eventually evolved into GameStop, one of the most recognized gaming retailers in the world.
Kusin’s career continued, spanning multiple industries. He cofounded Laura Mercier, helping build the luxury beauty company into a globally recognized brand. From 2001 to 2006, he served as CEO of Kinko’s, leading a remarkable turnaround before the company was acquired by FedEx for $2.4 billion. For 13 years, he served as a senior advisor for TPG and continues mentoring business leaders and entrepreneurs. In 2024, Kusin published a leadership book, Always Learning: Lessons on Leveling Up, from GameStop to Laura Mercier and Beyond.
Reflecting on his success, Kusin often returns to the lessons he learned growing up in Texarkana and the advice shared by Ross Perot—one lesson in particular: “Life has the ceiling you put on it.”
“At first, I didn’t fully understand what Ross meant,” Kusin said. “But as I got older, I realized it simply means you go as far as you think you can go.”
Today, Kusin shares that message with audiences across the country, encouraging young leaders to believe in themselves, remain curious, and stay prepared for opportunity.
As this year’s Leadership Texarkana graduates celebrate their accomplishments and look toward the future, Kusin’s story stands as a powerful reminder of how far determination, preparation, and belief can take a Texarkana leader.
