Early Life
Dan Wilks was born in 1955 or 1956. He and his brother, Farris, grew up in Cisco, Texas, where their father worked as a bricklayer. The family had humble beginnings; at one point, they lived in a former goat shed. Dan and Farris followed in their father's footsteps, becoming masons.
Rise to Success
In 1995, the Wilks brothers founded Wilks Masonry. They later entered the energy industry, founding Frac Tech in 2002. The company specialized in hydraulic fracturing, a method used to extract natural gas and oil. In 2011, they sold their 70% interest in Frac Tech to a consortium led by Temasek Holdings for $3.5 billion.
Key Business Strategies
The Wilks brothers were early entrants into the fracking industry, capitalizing on the growing demand for hydraulic fracturing services. Their strategic move into the energy sector proved highly lucrative. After selling Frac Tech, the brothers continued to invest in the oil-field services sector, including investments in U.S. Well Services. They also acquired over 672,000 acres of land in multiple Western states.
Philanthropy
Dan Wilks and his wife Staci run the Heavenly Father's Foundation, which funds organizations known for their strong anti-abortion and anti-gay stances. They are also major donors to conservative advocacy groups and Republican Party committees.