Sam Gary
Sam Gary was born in New York City on November 1, 1926, and holds a Bachelor's 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 following decades, Sam formed Samuel Gary Oil Producer, and in 1967, discovered the Bell Creek Field in southeastern Montana. 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. Sam and Nancy’s focus was consistent for over 40 years – to move disadvantaged children and families in Denver from poverty and dependence to self-reliance.
In 1989, Sam and partner Ron Williams created the Gary-Williams Company. With active company engagement, Piton spearheaded poverty alleviation work in Denver’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. This fulfilled one of Sam’s boldest ambitions – to apply private sector resources and technical expertise to the more significant problems of poverty, unequal opportunity, and urban decay.
After the sale of the energy business, the newly formed Gary Community Investment Company (GCIC), on which both Sam and Nancy served as principals, explored ways to expand the portfolio of traditionally “for-profit” enterprises to include investments in underperforming communities. With GCIC sharing the mission of The Piton Foundation, Sam was committed to continuing his work in disadvantaged neighborhoods, including the Children’s Corridor, a 40-square-mile area in Denver and original Aurora.
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. Sam and Nancy’s focus was consistent for over 40 years – to move disadvantaged children and families in Denver from poverty and dependence to self-reliance.
In 1989, Sam and partner Ron Williams created the Gary-Williams Company. With active company engagement, Piton spearheaded poverty alleviation work in Denver’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. This fulfilled one of Sam’s boldest ambitions – to apply private sector resources and technical expertise to the more significant problems of poverty, unequal opportunity, and urban decay.
After the sale of the energy business, the newly formed Gary Community Investment Company (GCIC), on which both Sam and Nancy served as principals, explored ways to expand the portfolio of traditionally “for-profit” enterprises to include investments in underperforming communities. With GCIC sharing the mission of The Piton Foundation, Sam was committed to continuing his work in disadvantaged neighborhoods, including the Children’s Corridor, a 40-square-mile area in Denver and original Aurora.