Combs was selected twice as being among the most influential African Americans in corporate America, by Black Enterprise magazine. Sam received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management degree from Oklahoma State University and was a member of Alpha Pi Mu Honor Society. He is a graduate of the Executive Program at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and has completed executive studies at Columbia and Harvard Universities. Sam is a native Oklahoman and past president of Leadership Oklahoma who has worked diligently throughout his career for the betterment of Oklahoma.