Kelcy Warren
Kelcy Warren | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 9, 1955 Gladewater, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Chairman and CEO of Energy Transfer Partners |
Kelcy Lee Warren (born November 9, 1955) is an American billionaire serving as the chairman and CEO of Energy Transfer Partners.
Early life
Warren was born in Gladewater, Texas and raised in White Oak, Texas as the youngest among four brothers born to Hugh Brinson Warren and Bertie Lee Kirby. His father was employed as a field hand at Sun Pipeline, a company that Warren would later acquire. He graduated from White Oak High School and earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1978.
Career
Warren launched his professional journey at Lone Star Gas Company before joining Endevco, where he worked from 1981 until 1992. He held the position of executive vice-president at Cornerstone Natural Gas between 1989 and 1990, later advancing to president and CEO from 1993 to 1996. Beginning in 2007, he has been serving as co-chairman and co-CEO of Energy Transfer Partners (ETP). Additionally, he occupies leadership roles within ETP Enogex Partners LLC, ETC OLP, La Grange Energy, and US Propane LLC. Previously, he was co-chairman of Le Gp and OEC Compression.
Between 1996 and 2000, Warren was a board member at Crosstex Energy. He also contributes to the advisory board of his alma mater, the University of Texas at Arlington.
In 2007, Warren purchased the bankrupt Lajitas Resorts in Texas as part of a real estate investment strategy. The following year, he acquired Roatan Electric Company (RECO), where he serves as president and chairman. RECO invested $7 million in developing a wind farm projected to be completed by 2017.
Warren holds the dual roles of CEO and chairman at Energy Transfer Partners, as well as chairman of the general partner of Energy Transfer Equity. Prior to ETP’s merger with Heritage Propane in 2004, he co-founded several entities that managed midstream natural gas pipelines integral to that merger. He brings over 25 years of experience within the energy sector.
In 2015, Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed him to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
Despite reporting substantial losses, Warren received a COVID stimulus payment in 2020.
As of 2022, Warren was ranked No. 289 on the Forbes 400 list with an estimated net worth of $3.8 billion. By September 2024, his fortune had grown beyond $7 billion.
Music
In 2007, Warren co-established Music Road Records, an independent label, alongside Jimmy LaFave and Fred Remmert. He is also an avid collector of music memorabilia, including autographs from Jackson Browne and drumsticks signed by the Eagles.
Philanthropy
Forbes assigned Warren a philanthropy score of "1" in 2020, placing him in the lowest quintile among billionaires evaluated.
Since 2007, he has organized the nonprofit Cherokee Music Festival annually to support children's charities and community service programs.
In 2012, Warren contributed $10 million toward constructing Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas, named in honor of his son. His donation was the largest for this $90 million initiative and secured him naming rights. Under this agreement, his son participates regularly in monthly park maintenance activities.
The Kelcy Warren Foundation backs the Caddo Lake Institute’s efforts to protect the ecological health, cultural heritage, and economic vitality of Caddo Lake along with its surrounding wetlands and watershed.
Political involvement
Warren contributed $6 million to Governor Rick Perry's 2016 presidential bid and donated $103,000 to President Donald Trump's campaign the same year. Alongside his wife Amy, he provided $1.8 million in support of Trump's 2020 reelection efforts. In August 2020, Warren made a $10 million donation to the America First Action super PAC, which backs Trump. In May 2024, he organized a fundraiser for Trump in Houston. Collectively, Warren and his spouse have given more than $20 million to Trump's presidential campaigns from 2016 through 2024. Additionally, he contributed $1 million to Greg Abbott following the conclusion of Texas's 2021 legislative session.
Warren has sparked controversy by advocating that environmental activists should be "removed from the gene pool."
Personal background
Warren's first marriage was to Sherry Johnson in 1980; the couple divorced in 1991. He wed Amy Hudson in 2010, and they have one son named Klyde Warren.
He lives in Preston Hollow, Dallas, on a property appraised at over $30 million. His extensive real estate portfolio includes a 3,500-acre ranch near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, acquired for $46.5 million in 2010; an 8,000-acre ranch close to Cherokee, Texas; the 20,000-acre Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa located in Lajitas, Texas; and a private island off Roatán, Honduras. In 2020, Warren purchased Castletown Cox house and estate in County Kilkenny, Ireland for €12.6 million.