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.

George Bishop, founder of GeoSouthern Energy, built his fortune in oil and gas by focusing on shale plays and unconventional drilling. Starting his career in the energy sector in the 1980s, he grew GeoSouthern into a major player in the Eagle Ford Shale of Texas before selling a large stake to Devon Energy for $6 billion in 2013. Known for his low profile and disciplined approach, Bishop has since diversified into other energy ventures and real estate, establishing himself as one of America’s quietest self-made billionaires.

Farris Wilks is a self-made billionaire who, alongside his brother Dan, founded Frac Tech Services in 2002. After selling their majority stake for approximately $3.5 billion in 2011, Farris now directs his wealth into evangelical philanthropy, major land ownership across Idaho and Montana, and leads the Assembly of Yahweh 7th Day church in Cisco. He is also one of the most prolific conservative donors nationally. 

Edward Perry “Ed” Bass is a Texas oil heir, financier, philanthropist, and environmental advocate. A Yale alumnus, he is the chairman of venture firm Fine Line and co-founded the avant‑garde Biosphere 2 project in Arizona. He spearheaded Fort Worth’s Sundance Square urban renewal, built the acclaimed Bass Performance Hall, and oversees conservation land holdings across Kansas prairies through his Philecology Trust. 

Drayton McLane Jr. is a self-made billionaire business magnate and philanthropist best known for building the McLane Company into a nationwide grocery and logistics powerhouse—growing revenue from $3 million to $19 billion—and later selling it to Walmart in 1990. He served as vice-chairman of Walmart while expanding The McLane Group, a family-owned holding company investing globally. He also owned and led the Houston Astros from 1993 to 2011 as chairman and CEO, becoming the first Texas team to reach the World Series under his tenure.

David Booth is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Dimensional Fund Advisors, the global investment firm he launched in 1981 after studying under Eugene Fama at the University of Chicago. His firm pioneered factor-based investing and now manages over $800 billion in AUM. A major philanthropist, he gifted $300 million to name Chicago Booth School of Business. 

Darwin Deason is an American billionaire entrepreneur and founder of Affiliated Computer Services (ACS). Under his leadership, ACS became a global outsourcing powerhouse before being sold to Xerox for $6.4 billion in 2010. After the sale, Deason emerged as Xerox’s largest individual shareholder (~12%). He is also a high-profile Republican political donor and owner of the mega-yacht Apogee and an opulent La Jolla estate called “The Sand Castle.” 

Dan H. Wilks is an American petroleum entrepreneur who co-founded Frac Tech in 2002 with his brother Farris. They grew the company from their modest beginnings in Cisco, Texas, and sold their 70% interest for $3.5 billion in 2011. Now among the wealthiest Texans, Dan invests in land and energy and is a major conservative political donor. 

Christopher “Kit” Goldsbury is the San Antonio–based billionaire who built his wealth through Pace Foods—taking over the company in 1977, buying it outright in the early ’90s, and selling it in 1994 to Campbell Soup for $1.1 billion. Today he leads Silver Ventures, the investment firm behind San Antonio’s revitalized Pearl Brewery district, and supports education and culinary causes through the Goldsbury Foundation. He keeps a famously low public profile.

Charles Butt is the chairman and CEO of H‑E‑B, the San Antonio‑based supermarket chain founded by his grandmother in 1905. Taking over leadership in 1971, he transformed H‑E‑B into a $39–42 billion private company with over 400 stores across Texas and Mexico. A Wharton and Harvard MBA alum, Butt is also a generous philanthropist—pledging more than $150 million to education initiatives and public school teachers, and earning Mexico’s Aztec Eagle Medal for cross-border giving.

Carl Thoma is a veteran private-equity pioneer and co-founder/managing partner of Thoma Bravo, one of the world’s largest software-focused buyout firms managing more than $130 billion in assets. A Stanford MBA and Oklahoma State alumnus, he began his career in 1980 with the predecessor firm GTCR and helped invent the “buy and build” consolidation strategy that underpins his longtime success in PE.

Bert “Tito” Beveridge is the self-made entrepreneur behind Tito’s Handmade Vodka. A former geophysicist, he launched the distillery in 1997 with financing from 19 credit cards, sleeping on floors as he built his business. Overcoming regulatory hurdles in Texas, he created a smooth, gluten-free corn-based vodka that achieved breakout success after a 2001 double‑gold medal win—and is now one of America’s fastest-growing spirits.  

Albert Chao is the President and CEO of Westlake Corporation, a global leader in petrochemicals, polymers, and building products. Under his leadership, Westlake has grown from a family business into a publicly traded multinational enterprise. Known for his strategic acquisitions and operational discipline, Chao has played a central role in shaping the modern chemical manufacturing landscape.

George Roberts is an influential figure in the world of private equity and finance, co-founding Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), one of the world's leading global investment firms. Known for his role in shaping the leveraged buyout industry, Roberts has amassed significant wealth and has become a prominent philanthropist, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.

Stanley Kroenke is an American billionaire businessman and real estate developer. He is the founder of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which owns several professional sports teams across the United States and the United Kingdom. Known for his significant investments in sports and real estate, Kroenke has made a substantial impact on both industries.

Elaine Marshall is an American billionaire and board member of Koch Industries. She inherited her wealth through her late husband, E. Pierce Marshall, and has significant stakes in one of the largest privately held companies in the world. She is known for her low-profile yet influential role in the business world.

Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, is a prominent American heiress, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Known for her significant contributions to the art world, she founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and is actively involved in various philanthropic efforts through her foundations.

Michael Dell is the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, a multinational technology company known for its innovative products in the personal computing and enterprise solutions market. He is a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist with a significant impact on the tech industry.

Kimbal Musk is a prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist focused on sustainable agriculture, food education, and healthy eating. Known for his ventures such as The Kitchen Restaurant Group and Big Green, Kimbal advocates for a local, farm-to-table food system. He is the younger brother of Elon Musk.

Elon Musk, a visionary entrepreneur and tech innovator, has reshaped industries with ventures like SpaceX and Tesla, balancing bold ambitions with controversial public presence and philanthropic efforts.