Charles Koch is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Owner of the renowned Koch Industries, Inc which is one of the biggest private firms in the country. He is a distinguished business tycoon who turned his father’s reasonably successful oil company into a huge petroleum products trading company that now exists in around 60 countries. With exceptionally remarkable management skills, Charles was able to expand his inherited business to more than 2600 times the actual size. Koch, who is also a philanthropist, is the 6th richest man in the world.
Charles Koch is the son of late Fred Koch. His educational career includes a Bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1957, Master’s Degree also from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1958, an Honorary Doctorate from Babson College, another Honorary Doctorate from George Mason University and yet another Honorary Doctorate from Washburn University, Topeka. After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Charles began assisting his father in his oil company that was named Rock Island Oil and Refining Company. In 1967, he completely took over the business and transformed the originally oil refining company to a diversified petroleum products company. Charles named it Koch Industries Inc. The company earns an estimated amount of $40 billion in revenue. As a result of massive expansion, the company opened a number of facilities within the United States, China, Mexico and Brazil. Koch Industries attained 37,000 miles of oil and gas pipeline. The company has known to diversify in areas of concern such as pollution control, consumer products, fertilizers, minerals and forest products.
The humongous profits obtained from Koch Industries have made Charles a very rich man. He is one of the richest and most powerful business tycoons of the world with a net worth of $36 billion. In addition to his highly pricey and thriving business, Charles owns a luxurious home in Palm Desert, California. His career has not been limited to Koch Industries alone, Charles has also served at a number of director level positions in other companies including Intrust Financial Corp, Georgia Pasfic Corp and Invista.
Not only was he rated amongst the most influential people of 2011, Charles has also received many prestigious awards from various distinguished organizations and universities. Koch has been known to financially support many good causes and charitable organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Mercatus Center, Institute for Humane Studies, Bill of Rights Institute and Mercatus Center.
Charles Koch is the author of The Science of Success which was published in 2007. The book describes his management philosophy, referred to as Market-Based Management. 76 year old Koch is married and has 2 children.
