Sam Gary
Sam was born in New York City on November 1, 1926 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University. In the early 1950s, Sam and his wife, Nancy, visited Colorado from New York on a trip before Sam was discharged from the U.S.Coast Guard. The trip ended with their decision to make Colorado their permanent home. During the two decades that followed, the Garys raised eight children. During this time, Nancy completed her Master’s degree at the University of Colorado’s Medical School as a Child Health Associate in pediatrics. After practicing, Nancy went on to complete her doctorate as a clinical child psychologist from Denver University. Meanwhile, Sam formed Samuel Gary Oil Producer and in 1967 discovered the Bell Creek Field in southeastern Montana, the 84th largest oil field in the United States. As an oilman, Sam was elected to the All-American Wildcatters in 1968 and was honored as the Denver Petroleum Club “Man of the Year” in 1968 and the IPAMS “Wildcatter of the Year” in 1984.
With the success of Bell Creek, Sam committed to giving back to the community, founding The Piton Foundation, a private grant-making foundation located in Denver. A self-described reluctant philanthropist, Sam has been noted for saying, “I can’t even spell philanthropy…” Sam and Nancy’s focus has been consistent over a period of 40 years – to move disadvantaged children and families in Denver from poverty and dependence to self-reliance. Along the way, Piton incubated many of Denver’s most influential non-profits including the Colorado Children’s Campaign, the Denver Preschool Program, the Urban Land Conservancy, and many others.
In 1989, Sam and partner, Ron Williams, created the Gary-Williams Company (and the Gary-Williams Energy Company), which for 24 years, shared profits with The Piton Foundation, described as “the community investment division” of the company. With active company engagement, Piton spearheaded poverty alleviation work in Denver’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. This fulfilled one of Sam’s strongest ambitions – to apply private sector resources and technical expertise to the larger problems of poverty, unequal opportunity and urban decay. Sam served for many years on the board of Jim Rouse’s Enterprise Foundation, pioneering public-private solutions to urban revitalization and community development. Those experiences helped inspire Sam’s decades-long leadership in the redevelopment of the closed Stapleton Airport – a process distinguished by its public-private sector design and the creation of a self-sustaining stewardship organization, the Stapleton Foundation, to protect the values and vision embodied in the project’s “Green Book.” Sam remains an active board member of the Stapleton Foundation. He was also a founding member of the Colorado Forum and Colorado Open Lands.
Today, after the sale of the energy business, the newly formed Gary Community Investment Company (GCIC), on which both Sam and Nancy serve as principals, is exploring ways to expand the portfolio of traditionally “for-profit” enterprises to include investments in under-performing communities. With GCIC sharing the mission of The Piton Foundation, Sam is committed to continuing his work in disadvantaged neighborhoods, including the Children’s Corridor, a 40- square mile area in Denver and original Aurora.
Source:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.piton.org%2FDocuments%2FSamuel%2520Gary%2520Updated%2520Biography%25203.18.13%2520(1).docx&ei=Lwt4UqvAL-jhyQGz24DACg&usg=AFQjCNFWzMP5seipKVpoXCj75GuZyB_eRQ
With the success of Bell Creek, Sam committed to giving back to the community, founding The Piton Foundation, a private grant-making foundation located in Denver. A self-described reluctant philanthropist, Sam has been noted for saying, “I can’t even spell philanthropy…” Sam and Nancy’s focus has been consistent over a period of 40 years – to move disadvantaged children and families in Denver from poverty and dependence to self-reliance. Along the way, Piton incubated many of Denver’s most influential non-profits including the Colorado Children’s Campaign, the Denver Preschool Program, the Urban Land Conservancy, and many others.
In 1989, Sam and partner, Ron Williams, created the Gary-Williams Company (and the Gary-Williams Energy Company), which for 24 years, shared profits with The Piton Foundation, described as “the community investment division” of the company. With active company engagement, Piton spearheaded poverty alleviation work in Denver’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. This fulfilled one of Sam’s strongest ambitions – to apply private sector resources and technical expertise to the larger problems of poverty, unequal opportunity and urban decay. Sam served for many years on the board of Jim Rouse’s Enterprise Foundation, pioneering public-private solutions to urban revitalization and community development. Those experiences helped inspire Sam’s decades-long leadership in the redevelopment of the closed Stapleton Airport – a process distinguished by its public-private sector design and the creation of a self-sustaining stewardship organization, the Stapleton Foundation, to protect the values and vision embodied in the project’s “Green Book.” Sam remains an active board member of the Stapleton Foundation. He was also a founding member of the Colorado Forum and Colorado Open Lands.
Today, after the sale of the energy business, the newly formed Gary Community Investment Company (GCIC), on which both Sam and Nancy serve as principals, is exploring ways to expand the portfolio of traditionally “for-profit” enterprises to include investments in under-performing communities. With GCIC sharing the mission of The Piton Foundation, Sam is committed to continuing his work in disadvantaged neighborhoods, including the Children’s Corridor, a 40- square mile area in Denver and original Aurora.
Source:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.piton.org%2FDocuments%2FSamuel%2520Gary%2520Updated%2520Biography%25203.18.13%2520(1).docx&ei=Lwt4UqvAL-jhyQGz24DACg&usg=AFQjCNFWzMP5seipKVpoXCj75GuZyB_eRQ
