Early Life and Education
Trevor D. Rees-Jones was born in 1951 in University Park, Texas, Dallas. He grew up in a family with a legal background, with his father being a lawyer. He graduated from Highland Park High School and then attended Dartmouth College. He furthered his education by earning a Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law.
Rise to Success in Oil & Gas
Rees-Jones began his career in law, working as a bankruptcy attorney in Dallas and later specializing in oil and gas reorganization law. In 1984, he ventured into oil and gas investments. A pivotal moment came in 1994 when he founded Chief Oil & Gas. The company became a major player in the Barnett Shale, a significant natural gas formation in Texas. He is credited with pioneering the development of the Barnett Shale, expanding the boundaries, and bringing the country closer to energy independence.
Key Business Strategies
Chief Oil & Gas employed advanced technologies like 3-D seismic imaging and horizontal drilling. The company focused on operational efficiency and strategic acquisitions and played a pioneering role in the development of hydraulic fracturing technology. Chief Oil & Gas was sold to Chesapeake Energy in January 2022 for $2.6 billion.
Philanthropy
In 2006, Trevor and his wife Jan established The Rees-Jones Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in North Texas and supporting various causes. Major recipients of grants include the Boy Scouts of America's Circle Ten Council, the Dallas Arboretum, and the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center. The foundation supports programs that enhance life quality for people in North Texas, and have contributed over $800 million to programs in North Texas, Africa, and India.