Early Life
Daniel Howard "Dan" Wilks was born in Cisco, Texas. He, along with his brother Farris, grew up in modest circumstances; their father worked as a bricklayer. Inspired by his father's work ethic, Dan and his brother followed in their father's footsteps, becoming masons themselves.
Rise to Success
In 1995, the Wilks brothers founded Wilks Masonry, a construction company operating in Texas and Oklahoma. They expanded their business ventures by entering the energy sector, establishing Frac Tech in 2002. Frac Tech specialized in hydraulic fracturing services, experiencing rapid growth during the fracking boom. A pivotal moment in their careers came in 2011 when they sold their 70% interest in Frac Tech for $3.5 billion. This sale significantly increased their wealth and established them as successful entrepreneurs.
Key Business Strategies
The Wilks brothers' success can be attributed to their strategic foresight in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities within the energy sector. They demonstrated an ability to adapt and evolve their business models to align with market trends and technological advancements, with the sale of Frac Tech being a key event in their career. They have continued to invest in oil and gas ventures.
Philanthropy
Dan Wilks, along with his wife, Staci, established the Heavenly Father's Foundation. The foundation supports organizations with strong anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ stances.