Trevor Rees-Jones is the billionaire founder of Chief Oil & Gas and a defining figure of the American shale revolution. Known as the "winningest fracker," he built a multi-billion-dollar fortune through strategic plays in the Barnett Shale, culminating in the $2.7 billion sale of his firm to Chesapeake Energy in 2022. In 2026, he remains a titan of Texas philanthropy, with the Rees-Jones Foundation surpassing $900 million in total giving. His current major project is the 2026 development of the Rees-Jones Library of the American West at Southern Methodist University, which will house his $100 million collection of rare books and art. His wealth continues to grow through significant stakes in Expand Energy and diversified real estate.

Robert Rowling, founder and CEO of TRT Holdings, built a diversified private investment empire spanning hospitality, real estate, and industrial manufacturing. Best known for owning Omni Hotels & Resorts, Rowling expanded the brand into a major luxury hospitality platform while also investing across commercial property and operating businesses. TRT Holdings also controls the industrial company ASI, including the well-known Cirrus Aircraft brand, reflecting Rowling’s focus on high-quality, cash-generating assets. Known for low-profile leadership and long-term capital stewardship, he has become a significant figure in U.S. private enterprise.

Gerald J. Ford, Texas billionaire banker and investor, built his fortune by acquiring, restructuring, and selling struggling financial institutions. Starting in the 1970s, he earned a reputation as a savvy dealmaker, most notably with the turnaround and sale of First United Bankshares and Golden State Bancorp. Through his private equity firm Hilltop Holdings, Ford has remained an active force in banking, insurance, and real estate, combining sharp financial instincts with a long-term investment outlook. A noted philanthropist, he is also a major benefactor of Southern Methodist University.

Craig Duchossois is an American billionaire investment executive and lifelong leader of the Duchossois Group, the diversified family firm originally built by his father, Richard L. Duchossois. Under his tenure, the firm became the largest individual shareholder of Churchill Downs, with over $700 million in equity. He has served in the U.S. Marine Corps, earned an MBA from SMU, and led the evolution of Duchossois Capital Management into a family office powerhouse.