Fred Hamilton
Fred Hamilton began his career as a roughneck and roustabout in the oil fields of Texas. One of America’s oil pioneers, Hamilton was co-founder, chairman and CEO of Hamilton Oil Corporation, an international exploration and production company. His career blends aggressive oil exploration with shrewd market strategies and groundbreaking technological advances. Hamilton Oil was the first company to find and produce oil in the British North Sea. It also developed and used the first floating production system in the world. Mr. Hamilton is known in business and philanthropic circles for his ability to think about the big picture and focus on the details that really matter.
Hamilton was also co-founder and Chairman of Tejas Gas Corporation, sold in 1998 to Shell Oil Co. He is on the National Petroleum Council and is a Director of the American Petroleum Institute. He continues to invest privately in a broad range of investments including venture capital, private equity, oil and gas, real estate, mortgage lending, securities and acquisitions as head of The Hamilton Companies.
Hamilton is currently chairman of the Denver Art Museum, where he has served on the Board since 1977 and as Chairman since 1994. His passion for art coupled with his astute business skills have contributed to the growth and sustainability of the institution over the last several decades. He led the first endowment campaign for the museum complex. The Museum named its 146,000-square-foot expansion, designed by the world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the Frederic C. Hamilton Building in recognition of his long-time leadership and support.
Hamilton is a member of the Trustees Council of the National Gallery of Art, an alumni member of the Smithsonian Institution Board of Directors, serves on the Board of Trustees of the Denver Area Council Boy Scouts of America, and is president of Graland Country Day School Foundation Board. He established an Endowed Chair in Endocrinology Research at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and three chairs at New York Presbyterian Cornell Hospital in research and clinical scholars.
Fred Hamilton’s past corporate directorships include: Chairman, Tejas Gas Corporation; Chairman, BHP Petroleum; Celanese Corporation; First National Bancorporation; Gates Learjet; IntraWest Financial Corporation; ITT; International Mining Corporation; United States Trust Co.; Norwest Corporation; Permian Corporation; Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken International Corporation; United Banks of Colorado and Volvo International Board.
Today, Fred Hamilton is a Colorado-based private investor and community leader who has had a defining influence on numerous institutions and organizations throughout the country. Known as a pragmatic and visionary person, he has dedicated his time, talent and resources to causes that advance the community’s well being. Fred is a “doer.” He is motivated by his desire to make a difference – and he has. Fred and his wife Jane live in Denver, and have four children and 11 grandchildren.
Hamilton was also co-founder and Chairman of Tejas Gas Corporation, sold in 1998 to Shell Oil Co. He is on the National Petroleum Council and is a Director of the American Petroleum Institute. He continues to invest privately in a broad range of investments including venture capital, private equity, oil and gas, real estate, mortgage lending, securities and acquisitions as head of The Hamilton Companies.
Hamilton is currently chairman of the Denver Art Museum, where he has served on the Board since 1977 and as Chairman since 1994. His passion for art coupled with his astute business skills have contributed to the growth and sustainability of the institution over the last several decades. He led the first endowment campaign for the museum complex. The Museum named its 146,000-square-foot expansion, designed by the world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the Frederic C. Hamilton Building in recognition of his long-time leadership and support.
Hamilton is a member of the Trustees Council of the National Gallery of Art, an alumni member of the Smithsonian Institution Board of Directors, serves on the Board of Trustees of the Denver Area Council Boy Scouts of America, and is president of Graland Country Day School Foundation Board. He established an Endowed Chair in Endocrinology Research at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and three chairs at New York Presbyterian Cornell Hospital in research and clinical scholars.
Fred Hamilton’s past corporate directorships include: Chairman, Tejas Gas Corporation; Chairman, BHP Petroleum; Celanese Corporation; First National Bancorporation; Gates Learjet; IntraWest Financial Corporation; ITT; International Mining Corporation; United States Trust Co.; Norwest Corporation; Permian Corporation; Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken International Corporation; United Banks of Colorado and Volvo International Board.
Today, Fred Hamilton is a Colorado-based private investor and community leader who has had a defining influence on numerous institutions and organizations throughout the country. Known as a pragmatic and visionary person, he has dedicated his time, talent and resources to causes that advance the community’s well being. Fred is a “doer.” He is motivated by his desire to make a difference – and he has. Fred and his wife Jane live in Denver, and have four children and 11 grandchildren.
