John R. Eckel Jr.
John R. Eckel Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 22, 1951 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | November 13, 2009 (aged 58) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, art collector |
| Known for | Founder, CEO, and chairman of Copano Energy |
John R. Eckel Jr. (October 22, 1951 – November 13, 2009) was a prominent American entrepreneur and art enthusiast, recognized as the founder, CEO, and chairman of Copano Energy, a company headquartered in Houston.
Biography
A native of Houston, Eckel completed his studies at Columbia University in 1973. He launched his professional journey at the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and Lehman Brothers before moving into the energy industry, where he gained experience with several drilling, service, and exploration and production firms. In 1992, he established Copano Energy, initially serving as president and CEO until April 2003, when he assumed the roles of chairman and CEO. During his tenure, Copano grew from managing a modest 23-mile pipeline to becoming a publicly traded midstream natural gas enterprise operating more than 6,000 miles of pipeline infrastructure along with seven processing facilities spanning four states. Eckel died in 2009 due to complications related to liver failure.
Art collection
Eckel was renowned for his discerning collection of works by American designers and artists including Paul Evans, Harry Bertoia, Edward Ruscha, and Edward Wormley. Following his passing, the John R. Eckel Jr. Foundation has actively supported various art institutions and charitable causes. His assembled works were gifted to both the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), with the Whitney dedicating a gallery space in his memory.
In 2012, MFAH showcased his collection in an exhibition titled The Spirit of Modernism: The John R. Eckel, Jr. Foundation Gift to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Curators commended his "remarkably comprehensive vision," while the Houston Chronicle described him as an "exceptionally insightful, largely self-taught collector."