Early Life
George Bruce Kaiser was born on July 29, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His parents, Jewish refugees, fled Nazi Germany in the late 1930s and settled in Tulsa in 1940. He attended Central High School in Tulsa and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College in 1964 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1966. Kaiser briefly considered joining the U.S. Foreign Service before returning to Tulsa to work for his father.
Rise to Success
Kaiser's career began when he took control of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company in 1969. Under his leadership, the company grew into a significant energy exploration firm. In 1990, he bought Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) out of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation receivership and expanded it from a 20-branch company to a major regional bank. Kaiser's business acumen led to his inclusion on the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans.
Key Business Strategies
Kaiser's business strategies involved strategic acquisitions and investments. He transformed Kaiser-Francis Oil Company into a major player in the energy sector. His expansion of BOK Financial included acquisitions that grew the bank into a substantial financial institution. These moves helped diversify his wealth and create a strong financial base for his philanthropic endeavors.
Philanthropy
George Kaiser is well-known for his commitment to philanthropy. He is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by investing in early childhood education, community health, and social services. The George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), established in 1999, has been a central part of his philanthropic work, supporting various programs and initiatives in Tulsa and beyond. He signed the Giving Pledge, promising to give away at least half of his wealth for charitable purposes.