The King Ranch, Inc., Board of Directors announced that Robert Hodgen will be the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the company effective today. Captain King started up his ranch in 1853 in an area known at the time as the Wild Horse Desert or the Nueces Strip, bounded by the Nueces River on the north and the Rio Grande on the south. Along the way, the city of Kingsville was incorporated, following the vision of Henrietta King. King Ranch, Inc. operates one of the largest and most famous cattle ranches in the world. During the Civil War, the ranch served as a depot for the export of southern cotton through Mexico, sidestepping the Union naval blockade. Governance highlights include: Daily Gazette of Schenectady That year, a King Ranch horse, Assault (a son of Bold Venture), won horse racing's Triple Crown. Dick Kleberg died in 1955. They began crossbreeding Brahman bulls native to India with their own Shorthorn stock. (361) 595-5683. Specific information related to the desired use of the grant ii. During the 1970s, Clement began to feel that the company had become unwieldy, and he started selling off chunks of King Ranch's overseas real estate. Kleberg serves on the King Ranch Board of Directors, and is past president of the American Quarter Horse Association. Along the way, the ranch's selective breeding efforts intensified. Another turnover in management took place in 1995. 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved. King Ranch Board of Directors to Begin CEO Search. King Ranch operates extensive turfgrass operations and is the majority owner of the largest citrus producer in the His son, Dick Jr., had been playing an increasingly important role in company affairs since the 1940s, and in 1969 he was named chairman of the King Ranch board of directors. He will continue to serve as an advisor to the Company on various matters. Two of five independent directors are women, including the chair. Both iterations of the board trained up the family members, who did not have governance backgrounds. At some 825,000 acres (3,340 km2; 1,289 sq mi) it is larger than the state of Rhode Island and country of Luxembourg. in the United States. Tio grew up on King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas, working summers with ranch operations. Company Ownership: Family-owned The result was a new breed, which they dubbed "Santa Gertrudis." He began his career within the Animal Nutrition Division management team of Cargill Inc. King Ranch has a rich, world-renowned legacy. In order for this to happen, the cattle had to be driven thousands of miles to railroad points as far away as St. Louis, and later, Abilene, Kansas. Jeannie has been a board member of the Aspen Education Foundation since moving to Aspen six years ago. In order for this to happen, the cattle had to be driven thousands of miles to railroad points as far away as St. Louis, and later, Abilene, Kansas. The suit claimed that Kleberg deceived Chapman's widow, defrauding her out of control of the Rincon de Santa Gertrudis, a parcel of land equal to approximately 7,500 acres. The Company operates various retail operations, including the famous King Ranch Saddle Shop, and has branding partnerships which include Ford Motor Co.. the point of contact for all inquiries relating to the search. Tio retired from management after 35 years of service and was elected to the King Ranch Board of Directors in 1995 where he serves today. He also currently serves as a Director of Consolidated Citrus Limited Partnership, the . Board is a leader in local involvement, supporting the company in community philanthropy. Company Ownership: Closely Held branding partnerships with Ford Motor Co., Textron Aviation and most recently with the Fertitta Family for the pursue new opportunities in turfgrass, permanent nut crops, and branding joint ventures. King split his time between his two businesses, steamboating and ranching, during this period. (Some members of management team are also on committees.). Their descendants, who became known as kinenos (King's men), have formed the core of the King Ranch workforce ever since. Please feel free to suggest Dr. Espy has a solid resume of experiences and service to the veterinary profession . Type of Private Board: Fiduciary His son, Dick, Jr., had been playing an increasingly important role in company affairs since the 1940s, and in 1969 he was named chairman of the King Ranch board of directors. Dick Kleberg died in 1955. Parts of King Ranch's property were opened not only to hunters, who pay nearly $3 million a year to shoot at deer, turkeys, and other animals, but to tourists as well. NTEE code info. James manages the ranch's horse operations and lives in a bungalow near . From its beginnings in the mid-nineteenth century as a family cattle ranch, the company has evolved into a major multinational operation active in a variety of agricultural and energy-related activities. In addition, Kleberg serves as 1st Vice Chairman of the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Foundation and is a member of the CKWRI Advisory Board. During the 1970s, Clement began to feel that the company had become unwieldy, and he started selling off chunks of King Ranch's overseas real estate. Official Website:http://www.king-ranch.com/, Do you know something we don't? All rights reserved. The Running W eventually became one of the most widely recognized marks in the history of the cattle industry. In 1935 the Klebergs made King Ranch a corporation so that its future as a single entity would be more secure. Agent Address. Ward 4 Board Member. When King died in 1885, he left his entire estate to his wife, Henrietta. For Immediate Release. Indeed, by the late 1990s King Ranch's portfolio was hugely diversified, ranging from oil to citrus to cattle. By that time, King Ranch had grown to well more than a million acres in size and was home to 94,000 head of cattle and 4,500 horses and mules, the quality of which had become very high through selective breeding. Along the way, the ranch's selective breeding efforts intensified. The awards were created to recognize private companies that go above and beyond legal governance requirements and commit to the highest levels of governance, whether through fiduciary or advisory boards. expansion of the King Ranch Texas Kitchen restaurant concept. To learn more, visit www.privatecompanydirector.com. Although it is perhaps most famous for its agribusiness segment (cattle breeding; horse breeding; farming; citrus groves; commodity marketing and processing; commercial hunting leases), King Ranch also oversees retail operations including luggage and leather goods, farm equipment, commercial printing, and tourism. To get the company back in the black, Kleberg turned to petroleum. According to a 2003 New York Times article, "The ruling could set an important precedent for questioning the legitimacy of land titles secured in Texas in the 19th century, especially for Hispanic families who contend that land grants dating to the Spanish empire were taken over by white settlers through fraudulent methods." Several new ways to generate revenue were found over the next few years. Email: dbivins@king-ranch.com, King Ranch Corporate Offices Best practices taken from public boards: executive session preceding each quarterly board meeting, continual refreshment of board advisors to be certain that it is composed of individuals that have experience in the issues affecting the future of the company, board members act as much as possible like a public board. Known for; Roger L. Jarvis: Business: c. 1954 : CEO of Spinnaker Exploration, 1996-2005: CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS OR DIRECTORS. 5-member advisory board is diverse and includes just one family member (Raj Gupta, the executive chair). Copyright 2023 King Ranch. The publisher/president and his team send a written report one week before each meeting. In 1938 he bought Kentucky Derby winner Bold Venture as a foundation sire for the ranch's thoroughbred breeding program. A list of current Board of Directors iii. King's Home Board of Directors. Image credit: Chas S Middleton & Son. Under Tio Kleberg's guidance, the company continued to update its cattle, horse, and farming operations. 2, 2021, For Immediate Release King Ranch Inc. announced Friday that the 30th Annual Ranch Hand Breakfast will be held on November 20, 2021. Annoying wild mustangs and donkeys were captured and shipped elsewhere. All rights reserved. Robert J. Underbrink. Richard Jr. King born 1860-12-15 in King's Ranch, Texas - 1922. Kingsville, Texas, United States. Services. Mrs. King's death brought about a web of complications stemming from the division of her estate, high estate taxes, and various debts. Approximate Annual Company Revenues: $350 million-$1 billion 4 years ago. Parts of King Ranch's property were opened not only to hunters--who since 1979 were able to pay nearly $3 million a year to shoot at deer, turkeys, and other animals--but to tourists as well. Two weeks ago two other . From its beginnings in the mid-19th century as a family cattle ranch, the company has evolved into a major multinational operation active in a variety of agricultural and energy-related activities. Cotton farming was another area into which the company plunged with a fair amount of success. Governance highlights include: King Ranch Approximate Annual Company Revenues: Under $100 million books that might be critical omissions. He is a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program (Class 36) and previously served as a director of the National Grain and Feed Association. However, in 1853, he founded the King Ranch that has, ever since, been a staple in Texas history. While it is perhaps most famous for its agribusiness segment (cattle breeding; horse breeding; farming; commodity marketing and processing; commercial hunting leases), King Ranch also explores and develops oil and gas properties through its King Ranch Oil and Gas, Inc. subsidiary. In order to expand the ranch during its early years, King hired a lawyer to seek out the owners of the old land grants throughout the area. The company represents a colorful part of Texas history. Yarborough to take control of King Ranch's oil and gas business. By the early 1970s, King Ranch controlled about 11.5 million acres of land worldwide. A private company, King Ranch is owned by 60 or so descendants of company founder Captain Richard King, a legendary figure in the history of cattle ranching in the United States. The ranch covered more than 600,000 acres by this time. COMPANY. Discover King Ranchs Affiliated Websites, Discover our legacy of handcrafted quality, Drive the bold ruggedness of the King Ranch Ford Truck, Find the highest quality turfgrass for your lawn, Explore the best bermuda greens grasses for golf courses, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. 825,000 acre ranch in Texas, founded 1853 by Richard King and Gideon K. Lewis. A couple months later, Abraham Zaleznik, a King Ranch director since 1988, replaced the retiring Denman as chairman of the board. The Board and the family owners are also very grateful to retiring CEO Robert J. Underbrink for his many years of dedicated leadership and service to the Company. King's Home Board of Directors. His buying trips frequently took him into Mexico. He then bought the parcels and annexed them to the ranch. That year, Jack Hunt, formerly the CEO of California's Tejon Ranch, was named president and CEO of King Ranch. United States. Before joining King Ranch, Hodgen spent six . The board focuses on strategic issues and selecting advisors with specific skill sets to help management. King Ranch continues to foster a culture of uncompromising quality, stewardship, and authenticitya true testament to Captain Kings integrity and commitment to the land. Committees do a lot of detail work, saving board meetings for more strategic topics. Along the way, the city of Kingsville was incorporated, following the vision of Henrietta King. King Ranch began selling Santa Gertrudis bulls to other ranchers in the 1930s, and in 1940 the United States Department of Agriculture recognized Santa Gertrudis as the first ever American-produced beef breed. Director Angel Lopez-Ramirez is a Public Servant, Combat Veteran and Wounded Warrior. King Ranch operates extensive turfgrass operations and is the majority owner of one of the largest citrus producers Kleberg quickly became an indispensable part of the ranch's operation. Board of Directors data for 2023 *with the ability to . Corporate management at the ranch predated Jack Hunt. The company is transforming itself into a holding company with the newspaper at the center. Type of Private Board: Fiduciary Founders of the organization sought to address the loss of historically significant ranch structures to time and the elements. In 1853, Captain Richard King purchased a creek-fed oasis in the Wild Horse Desert of South Texas, sparking generations of integrity, preservation, and innovation. Having been raised on a large-scale grain and cattle farm, the ag sector is what I know and love. A steamboat pilot by trade, King had arrived in southern Texas about eight years earlier to run a shipping operation on the Rio Grande with partner Mifflin Kenedy. King Ranch Feedyard. The King Ranch's board of directors unanimously promoted Houston's Robert J. Underbrink, 49, to president, CEO and a director of the diversified agribusiness company in Kingsville last week. Source: International Directory of Company Histories, Vol.60. Board members review the material and send their comments/questions three days in advance, and the team responds the day before the meeting. Meeting time shifted from management doing most of the talking to the advisors doing the majority of the talking and management listening. current President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert J. Underbrink, 59, of Houston, Texas. One by one, the problems of running a growing ranch were addressed. Crews were assigned to slow the encroachment of mesquite brush, which was quickly displacing the favorable "climax grasses." The Santa Gertrudis cattle combined the beefiness of the British Shorthorns with the Brahmans' ability to withstand the hot climate of summertime Texas. Henrietta King died in 1925, at the age of 92. Hodgen, 45, brings nearly 25 years of executive leadership and, KINGSVILLE, July. Over the course of over 160 years, King Ranch led some of the first cattle drives, developed the Santa Gertrudis and Santa Cruz breeds of cattle, bred the finest Quarter Horses, and produced champion Thoroughbredsall under its iconic Running W brand. (Houston, Texas) -The King Ranch, Inc., Board of Directors today announced the search for a successor for the. All initiatives must produce cash flow to maintain the infrastructure to serve the main purpose of keeping the community informed. In Australia, one of King's partners was Swift & Co., the biggest buyer of the ranch's U.S. beef output. He also bought a stake in the Idle Hour Stable in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1946. Type of Private Board: Fiduciary King purchased the land and he and Lewis launched the livestock operation that would eventually grow into the King Ranch. This well, originating more than 500 feet below ground, provided enough water to support all of the region's livestock and agriculture. The Fence Task Force will address fencing inconsistencies and appearance on Ken-Caryl Ranch and develop recommendations for improvements to community perimeter fencing that borders major roads, greenbelts, open space, and other areas as needed. All board members also participate in the ESOP communications and administration committee. Richard King born 1825-07-10 in Orange County, New York - 1885 (Ranch Owner) Henrietta Maria King born 1856-04-17 in Brownsville, Cameron, Texas, USA - 1917. succession planning for this important role.. Robert Kleberg died in 1932, signaling a complete generational shift in the ranch's management. Within a decade, through a combination of strategic horse purchases and the application of its fabulously successful breeding techniques, King Ranch had established a dynasty of champion cutting horses. Kingsville, Texas. Regardless of its future path, the King Ranch name and its Running W brand would surely continue as one of the most widely recognized identities in the industry. Before joining King Ranch, Hodgen was the managing director of private equity at New Yorker-based Amerra Capital Management LLC from 2015 to June 2021. . Four years later he became the first president of King Ranch Oil and Gas, Inc., a new wholly owned subsidiary formed to handle all of King Ranch's petroleum affairs. Jobs; . By the end of the Civil War, thousands of head of cattle were roaming the ranch, which had grown to nearly 150,000 acres in size. Environmental Systems Design Duard King Boeing Dave Vogee Blaine Pubic Schools Rob Kline Project Manager . Detailed process for selecting family members for board service, beginning with board observer roles, then submission of a resume, statement of why they wish to join the board, an oral statement and a four-hour interview, with an outside third party assisting. a King Ranch director since 1988, replaced the retiring Denman as chairman of the board. Kleberg married King's daughter Alice the following year. The ranch managed to survive its early years in spite of a hostile environment created by the presence of bandits, unhappy Indians, and the usual assortment of rustlers, raiders, and ruffians associated with the Wild West. That year, Jack Hunt, formerly the CEO of California's Tejon Ranch, was named president and CEO of King Ranch. In 1858 King built the first ranch house at the Santa Gertrudis site on a spot suggested by his friend Robert E. Lee, a young Lieutenant Colonel at the time. From 1999 until today he has served as Chairman of the Board of King Ranch, Inc. In August 2003, however, the Texas Supreme Court ruled against the Chapman descendants, arguing that there was not enough evidence to proceed with a trial. Official Website: . King Ranch is the largest ranch in the United States. EIN. Mr. Clement is chairman of the Management Council of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile. (832) 681-5700. Company Chairman James H. Clement commented, King Ranch and its family owners recognize the leadership After the passing of one of the ranch owners, the ranch management was left in the hands of Mark Eisele, who has worked on the ranch since the 1970s. Jamey Clement is a Retired Chairman of the Board of King Ranch, Inc., where he has also served as vice president and treasurer. work to identify new leadership with the same passion and dedication Robert has provided King Ranch for the last Board has advised management on issues including strategic planning, risk management, organizational design to show employees they have a path for growth and development within the firm, which areas of growth to invest in, DEI, COVID pandemic response. As part of its strategy to build profit in its agriculture business, the newly created firm acquired the Turner Foods groves from Florida Power & Light. Approximate Annual Company Revenues: Under $100 million Board Certified Equine Reproduction. Dick Kleberg Jr. died in 1979, and soon after that his son, Stephen "Tio" Kleberg, took over management of King Ranch South Texas, the company's core ranch operation. Houston, TX 77056 The Company operates various retail operations, including the famous King Ranch Saddle Shop, and has The King Ranch Saddle Shop, once exclusively a supplier of cowboy gear for the kiñ-os, went into the retail clothing and luggage business. James H. Clement, Jr. 25. David Shaw, Publishing Director Several new ways to generate revenue were found over the next few years. Tio graduated from Texas Military Institute in 1964. King Ranch Board of Directors to Begin CEO Search, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Board of Directors data for 2021 *with the ability to download the data for 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 Download it now for $125. Governance highlights include: Commerce State Bank King Ranch, Inc., is a privately-held agricultural production and resource management company established in 1853. CONTACT: Warren Conway, Bricker Endowed Chair in Wildlife Management . Members of the Cal Farley's board of directors volunteer their time, talents, leadership and prayers on behalf of the children and families whose lives Cal Farley's transforms every day. Immediate Past Chairman: Forrest DeBuys . Hodgen, 45, brings nearly 25 years of executive leadership and investment management experience in the agribusiness and food sectors to the role. Type of Private Board: Fiduciary King Ranch Corporate Offices In order to expand the ranch during its early years, King hired a lawyer to seek out the owners of the old land grants throughout the area. On a trip through the Wild Horse Desert, King noticed a promising piece of land along the Santa Gertrudis Creek. Hodgen holds a B.S. The sixth annual awards recognize fiduciary boards (those tasked with protecting shareholders, with the authority to vote on decisions that are binding for company management) as well as advisory boards (more informal boards that have no binding regulations, but often a significant strategic role). I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the next CEO and look forward to leading such a competent and capable team, Hodgen said. When Mrs. King's estate was finally untangled, Kleberg's widow, Alice, and her children consolidated as much of the ranch as possible by purchasing the properties of other heirs. By 1952 the company was sending livestock to outposts in Cuba and Australia with the hope of boosting production by introducing Santa Gertrudis genes into the mix. Three Riverway, Suite 1600 When King died in 1885, he left his entire estate to his wife, Henrietta. Benjamin Espy, DVM, DACT. The Board and the family owners are also very grateful to retiring CEO Robert J. Underbrink for his many years of dedicated leadership and service to the Company. The Running W eventually became one of the most widely recognized marks in the history of the cattle industry. Approximate Annual Company Revenues: Under $100 million As Kleberg became weaker, he passed on responsibility for running the ranch to his sons, Bob and Dick Kleberg. An independent Transition Committee of the board, consisting of the four independent directors, guided LDG through its transition from a 60% ESOP to a 100% ESOP in 2020 and selected the third CEO in the companys history. Rodney serves on the Board of Directors for the Kings Water Alliance, Central Valley Dairy Representative Monitoring Program, and the California Dairy Environmental Justice Fund. These innovations included mechanized brush control methods, the identification of new and better grasses, and the development of better corrals for working cattle. Committees including Nominating and Governance, Audit and Risk, Compensation and Talent, and Innovation. HOUSTON - August 9, 2021 - The King Ranch, Inc., Board of Directors announced that Robert Hodgen will be the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the company effective today. Stephen J. Meanwhile, as an outgrowth of the King Ranch Quarter Horse program, the company became involved in competition cutting--an arena event in which horses try to separate individual heifers from the herd--in the mid-1970s. Responsible for overall supervision and control of all functions of Valor Ranch. King split his time between his two businesses, steamboating and ranching, during this period. He is a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program (Class 36) and previously served as a Director of the National Grain and Feed Association. 825,000 acre ranch in Texas, founded 1853 by Richard King and Gideon K. Lewis. A steamboat pilot by trade, King had arrived in southern Texas about eight years earlier to run a shipping operation on the Rio Grande with partner Mifflin Kenedy. Cotton farming was another area into which the company plunged with a fair amount of success. By the early 1970s, King Ranch controlled about 11.5 million acres of land worldwide. I was just honored to be considered for the board. January 14, 2021. Meanwhile, brother Dick served the company from the outside as president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and, beginning in 1931, as a seven-term member of the U.S. Congress.