Early Life
Farris Wilks was born in 1952 and grew up in Cisco, Texas. The sons of a bricklayer, the Wilks brothers experienced a humble upbringing, even spending some time living in a former goat shed. Their father, Voy Wilks, instilled in them a strong work ethic and the value of building a better life. Voy's decision to become a mason and eventually start his own business set the stage for the brothers' future entrepreneurial endeavors.
Rise to Success
In 1995, Farris and his brother Dan founded Wilks Masonry, a construction company. Building on the success of their masonry business, they recognized the potential in the burgeoning hydraulic fracturing industry. In 2002, they established Frac Tech, a hydraulic fracturing company. The company rapidly grew, capitalizing on the shale boom, and became a key player in the oil and gas sector. In 2011, the brothers sold their 70% interest in Frac Tech for $3.5 billion.
Key Business Strategies
The Wilks brothers demonstrated astute business acumen, identifying opportunities in the energy sector and scaling their ventures to achieve significant financial success. They reinvested their profits and diversified their holdings, including investments in other oil and gas businesses. The brothers have also been buying up land, acquiring more than 672,000 acres of land in six different states across the West, becoming America's 12th-largest landowners.
Philanthropy
Farris Wilks is involved in philanthropic activities. He and his brother have contributed to several conservative causes and are major donors to conservative advocacy groups. Farris directs his wealth towards evangelical philanthropy. Farris has donated to organizations like the Heritage Foundation and Focus on the Family.
