Early Life
Richard Kinder was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in 1944. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri. During his time in college, he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps in Vietnam.
Rise to Success
Kinder's career began as an attorney for Florida Gas Transmission, which later became part of Enron Corporation. He eventually became President and COO of Enron from 1990 to 1996. In 1996, he left Enron to co-found Kinder Morgan with William V. Morgan. They purchased Enron Liquids Pipeline for $40 million. Kinder Morgan became the largest midstream energy company in North America through a series of strategic acquisitions. The company operates an extensive network of pipelines and terminals. Kinder stepped down as CEO of Kinder Morgan in 2015 and continues to serve as Executive Chairman.
Key Business Strategies
Kinder's success is attributed to strategic acquisitions, including KN Energy and El Paso Corporation. Kinder Morgan focused on fee-based revenue from long-term contracts, providing steady cash flow. The company also pioneered the master limited partnership (MLP) structure to fuel growth.
Philanthropy
Richard and his wife, Nancy Kinder, established the Kinder Foundation in 1997. The Foundation supports education, urban green spaces, and quality-of-life initiatives in Houston. In May 2025, they pledged $150 million to Texas Children's Hospital and MD Anderson to create the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. As of December 31, 2024, the Kinder Foundation has distributed over $621.4 million in grants.
