William Koch Founder and head of the Oxbow Group company Date of Birth: 03.05.1940 Country: USA

1. Biography of William Koch
2. Founder of Oxbow Group
3. Philanthropy and Activism
4. Avid Sailor and Athlete
5. Collector and Wealth

Biography of William Koch

William Koch, born on May 3, 1940, is an American businessman and the founder and chairman of the "Oxbow Group." He inherited his wealth from his father, Fred Koch, the founder of the globally renowned company "Koch Industries," one of the largest companies in the United States. The family business is primarily involved in oil refining. Initially, William was involved in the company but eventually decided to sell a portion of his assets to his brothers, Charles and David. There is intense competition among the Koch brothers, with constant division of inherited wealth, and no one willing to yield to the other. In 2001, William Koch found a way to end the family feud and legal disputes.

Founder of Oxbow Group

Aside from his involvement in the family business, William Koch is also the founder and chairman of the "Oxbow Group." The company, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, is engaged in energy production, including alternative energy production. Koch has also invested a portion of his resources in the company "Kendall Square Research."

Philanthropy and Activism

William Koch is the chairman of the "Alliance Protect Nantucket Sound," formed to oppose the "Cape Wind" project. He is also involved in philanthropic activities, having made a $500,000 contribution to the "Alliance Protect Nantucket Sound" in 2005.

Avid Sailor and Athlete

William Koch is an avid sailor and athlete, often spending his time behind the wheel of his luxurious yacht. In 1992, he won the America's Cup race against an Italian team on his yacht named "America," spending approximately $65 million for the competition. In 1995, he sponsored a professional all-female racing team that participated in the "Mighty Mary" yacht race. However, luck was not on his side this time. Koch is also a sponsor of the "Sea Scout program," providing assistance for various scout events and competitions.

Collector and Wealth

William Koch possesses a vast collection of fine wines and various maritime artifacts. His collection includes models of unique ships, navigational instruments, paintings of vessels, and beautiful maritime landscapes. Currently, Koch's net worth is $2 billion, making him one of the wealthiest Americans. In Forbes' list of the world's richest people in 2008, he ranked 605th.