Co-Chairman
Bob Simpson and his wife, Janice Simpson, have made this investment together out of their passion for baseball and the community.
Mr. Simpson is currently Chairman of MorningStar Partners, the manager of Cross Timbers Energy, LLC, a 50/50 joint venture between ExxonMobil and MorningStar Partners. Cross Timbers is focused on conventional oil and gas exploration and production onshore in America. Previously, Mr. Simpson was Chairman of the Board and Founder of XTO Energy Inc., and he has a simple philosophy. He looks for diamonds in the rough - whether that means headquartering his company in a building on the National Historic Register, purchasing antiques, hiring only the best people or acquiring high quality, long-lived producing oil and gas reserves throughout the continental United States as well as Alaska. That philosophy has propelled the company that began as Cross Timbers Oil to one of the largest owners of natural gas reserves in the country.
XTO began as Cross Timbers Oil Company in 1986 by Mr. Simpson and two partners after Southland Royalty Company was acquired through a hostile takeover. One of the first acquisitions made by the new company was a bronze by artist Jack Bryant purchased at a charity fundraiser. The statue, entitled "I'll Be Back", depicting a retreating cowboy shaking a defiant fist, seemed to sum up his corporate philosophy. Today, that bronze is the symbol of the company. In December of 2009, ExxonMobil acquired XTO Energy for $41 billion.
Mr. Simpson and XTO Energy have received many honors and accolades for the success of the company. From 2005 through 2008, Mr. Simpson was named by Barron's in their "30 Most Respected CEOs in the World". Oil and Gas Investor magazine named Mr. Simpson their "Executive of the Year" in 2006. Institutional Investor magazine named him their "Best CEO" among Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Companies in April 2009. He continues to be recognized for his contributions and leadership - in addition to the Cornerstone Award he has been honored by the National Historic Trust at their Restore America Gala for his contributions to historic preservation and Texas Wesleyan University has named him as their 2007 Executive Man of the Year for their Business Hall of Fame. He has also purchased the grand champion steer at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, from 2005 - 2008, with the proceeds going to educational scholarships.
The Texas native, youngest of four brothers, grew up on a Cisco ranch and was salutatorian of his high school graduating class. He attended Baylor University on a bank scholarship where he earned a BBA degree in Accounting with honors and then an MBA. Mr. Simpson served in the Texas Army National Guard after graduation and then earned his CPA designation. He and Janice have seven children.