Early Life
George Bruce Kaiser was born on July 29, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His parents, Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany, settled in Tulsa after fleeing Europe. Kaiser attended Tulsa Central High School. He earned a B.A. from Harvard College in 1964 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1966. After graduating from Harvard Business School, Kaiser returned to Tulsa to work for his father.
Rise to Success
Kaiser's career began with Kaiser-Francis Oil Co., a small oil prospecting business founded by his family. He took control of the company in 1969 and expanded it into an international energy exploration company. In 1990, he acquired the struggling Bank of Oklahoma from the FDIC and expanded it from a 20-branch company to a multi-state financial institution now known as BOK Financial Corporation. His ownership in BOK Financial significantly boosted his net worth and brought him recognition on the Forbes 400 list.
Key Business Strategies
Kaiser's business strategies have focused on strategic acquisitions and expansion. He transformed the Bank of Oklahoma into a regional financial services powerhouse through savvy acquisitions and a focus on growing markets. He also established and expanded Kaiser-Francis Oil Co., making it a major player in the energy sector. Kaiser also founded Excelerate Energy, originating the floating LNG regasification business.
Philanthropy
Kaiser is well-known for his philanthropic endeavors, particularly through the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF). His main philanthropic principle is creating equal opportunities for all, focusing on early childhood education, community well-being, and poverty reduction. He supports programs like Educare and has made significant contributions to the Tulsa Community Foundation. Kaiser is also a signatory of the Giving Pledge, committing to donate a significant portion of his wealth to charitable causes.