Billionaire T. Boone Pickens is an Oklahoma-born oil tycoon and corporate financier who made his fortune through acquiring a variety of oil companies in the 1970s and 1980s. Pickens is the founder and principal investor in BP Capital, a hedge fund specializing in energy investment.BP Capital: Management Team: Boone Pickens
In July 2009, Pickens said oil prices would match last year’s record high of $147 a barrel in three years as producers fail to further increase output. “We’ll be flat at 85 million barrels a year,” Pickens said in an interview. “By 2013 we’re going to see a decline in production. In 10 years we’ll be at $300 a barrel.”
In December of 2008, Pickens was named Texan of the Year by the nonpartisan Texas Legislative Conference. Pickens was selected for the honor due to his philanthropist donations and efforts to help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.San Antonio Business Journal: ...Pickens 'Texan of the Year' honor (December 8, 2008)
Republican Candidate Contributor
Pickens is a major contributor to Republican candidates. He supported Rudy Giuliani in his failed campaign for the 2008 Republican nomination.The New York Observer: Rudy, McCain Grappling for Bush Donors
Oklahoma State University Benefactor
Pickens has been a major benefactor for college athletics and has focused his gift-giving on his alma mater, Oklahoma State University. In 2005, Pickens donated $165 million to the University's Stillwater campus, with the intention that it be spent on upgrading athletic facilities and, in particular, on improving the basketball program.OSU: Boone Pickens donates $165 million to OSU athletics (January 10, 2006)
Contract Offered to Bill Self
On April 9, 2008, it was reported that Pickens had tried to coax Bill Self, coach of the champion Kansas Jayhawks, to accept a 10-year, $35 million offer to become the head basketball coach at Pickens' alma mater, Oklahoma State University.ESPN: Self should ignore the dollars and stay at Kansas
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T. Boone Pickens News
(The Wall Street Journal: T. Boone Pickens, Facebook Guy?... (July 8, 2008)
USA Today: Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens wants to supplant oil with wind (July 8, 2008)
CBS News: Kansas wins title -- and could lose its Self in the process (April 8, 2008)
USA Today: Pickens backs Okla. State at all costs (April 8, 2008)
The New York Times: Move Over, Oil, There's Money in Texas Wind (February 23, 2008)
CNBC: Pickens Expects Oil, Natural Gas Prices to Fall (February 22, 2008)
Press Release: T. Boone Pickens Foundation Makes its Largest Gifts... (May 16, 2007)
International Herald Tribune: T. Boone Pickens says global oil production... (March 1, 2007)
Topix.net: T. Boone Pickens News
Google News: T. Boone Pickens News
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Fast Facts
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Holdenville, Oklahoma
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Studied geology at Oklahoma State University
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Five
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Founded Mesa Petroleum in 1956
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Owns water rights in Texas Panhandle
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With an estimated worth of $3 billion, Pickens ranked #177 on Forbes' 2007 list of The 400 Richest AmericansForbes: #117 T. Boone Pickens (September 20, 2007)
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Named Texan of the Year for 2008 by the Texas Legislative ConferenceSan Antonio Business Journal: ...Pickens 'Texan of the Year' honor (December 8, 2008)
