Overview:
Charles Koch is an American entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist. He is the CEO of Koch Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in the world, and is consistently ranked among the richest people on the planet. Koch is also known for his philanthropic efforts, primarily focused on education, criminal justice reform, and economic freedom.
Early Life and Education:
Charles Koch was born on November 1, 1935, in Wichita, Kansas. He was the second of four sons born to Mary Clementine Robinson Koch and Fred C. Koch, the founder of Koch Industries. Koch attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a degree in engineering in 1957.
Career and Achievements:
Koch Industries:
After graduation, Koch began his career at the engineering and construction firm Arthur D. Little. In 1961, he joined Koch Industries, then a medium-sized oil refining company founded by his father, as a technical services manager. Under Charles Koch’s leadership, Koch Industries has become the second-largest privately held company in the United States with annual revenues of approximately $115 billion, primarily operating in oil refining, chemicals, and forest products industries.
Political Influence:
Charles Koch has been involved in politics for decades, supporting conservative and libertarian causes. He has donated millions of dollars to political campaigns and advocacy efforts, and is credited with playing a key role in founding and funding a variety of free-market organizations, including Americans for Prosperity, the Cato Institute, and the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
Philanthropy:
Koch is known for his philanthropic efforts, primarily focused on education, criminal justice reform and economic freedom. He and his brother David founded the Koch Foundation in 1980 with the vision of supporting individuals and organizations that foster social and economic progress. They have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to universities, research organizations, and think tanks.
Personal Life:
Charles Koch has been married twice and has two children. In his spare time, he enjoys playing and composing music, and has performed in various orchestras.
Profile:
Name: Charles Koch
Born: November 1, 1935
Country: United States
Sector: Manufacturing, Chemicals
Companies: Koch Industries
Net Worth: $55.5 billion
Forbes URL: https://www.forbes.com/profile/charles-koch/