Self-Made Billionaire Sam Wyly Will Share Keys To Success

Dallas Morning News
April 5, 2010

Entrepreneur and self-made billionaire Sam Wyly will be the featured speaker at UT Dallas' 2010 School of Management Scholarship Breakfast on Tuesday at the Westin Galleria Dallas.

Beginning at 8 a.m., Lee Cullum, TV and radio host for KERA, will moderate a discussion with Wyly about the decisions and strategies behind his business successes during the last half-century.

"With nearly 50 years of experience creating and growing companies, his insight will be a source of inspiration for our students, especially to our many aspiring entrepreneurs," said Dr. Hasan Pirkul, dean of the university's School of Management.

Kyle Edgington, the school's director of development and alumni relations, said $115,000 has been raised.

He pointed out that in addition to buying tables, telecom leader Ericsson Inc. will donate $50,000 during the breakfast, and United Supermarkets of Lubbock has pledged $15,000 toward the scholarship drive and will sponsor the event.

Wyly helped create and expand numerous companies, including University Computing, Sterling Software, Bonanza Steakhouses, Michaels Stores and Maverick Capital. One of his most recent endeavors is Green Mountain Energy.