Sam Wyly

Sam Wyly has been described as the "entrepreneur's entrepreneur."

Whether it is in business, politics or philanthropy, Sam brings a pioneering spirit to all of his endeavors and interests.

Sam co-founded, served as chairman of the board, and is the past vice chairman of the board of Michaels Stores, Inc., the nation's leading retailer of framing, arts and crafts, with more than 1,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Michaels was sold in 2006.

In 1990, Sam founded Maverick Capital, Ltd., which is today an $8 billion hedge fund. And in 2001, he founded Ranger Capital Group, a Dallas-based investment management company. He also founded Green Mountain Energy Company, a venture with British Petroleum to provide clean electricity, and served on the Green Mountain board from 1997 until 2005.

Sam founded, and from 1983 until 2000 was chairman of the board of, Sterling Software, Inc., a global computer software provider. He also founded Sterling Commerce, Inc., a provider of electronic commerce software and network services, and served as a director from 1996 until 2000. Both firms were sold in 2000.

He founded USACafes (Bonanza Steakhouse restaurant chain) and served as chairman of the board from 1968 until the company's sale in 1989. Also in 1968, Sam founded Earth Resources Company (oil refining and silver mining), and served as chairman of the executive committee until its sale in 1980.

In 1963, Sam founded his first company, University Computing Company (UCC), a computer utility and software company that merged into Computer Associates in 1987. In 1969, he founded Datran, Inc., a data transmission company which, along with MCI and Carterphone, ultimately led to the break-up of the AT&T telephone monopoly.

Sam is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and the University of Michigan Business School. Prior to founding UCC, Sam worked for both IBM and Honeywell.

Sam's charitable contributions include numerous gifts to Louisiana Tech University and Harvard Medical School. Sam served on the board of PBS, as a trustee of Southern Methodist University, and as vice chairman of the Princeton Parents Association. In both 1972 and 1976, Sam was a member of the Electoral College. He served both presidents Nixon and Ford as chairman of a Presidential Advisory Commission that defined the country's public-private partnership to foster minority enterprise. One of Sam's proudest accomplishments is his support of the creation of "Newsroom" in Dallas, which evolved into the nationwide "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," today's gold standard for fair television and journalism integrity.

Most recently, Sam and his wife, Cheryl, have provided substantial funding to the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre of the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts and the Cheryl and Sam Wyly Animal Shelter in Aspen, Colorado.

Sam is happily married to Cheryl and has six children and ten grandchildren; and he is currently working on his first book.