Ross Perot Jr. is a respected business leader, real estate developer, and civic leader whose career has been defined by innovative and transformative economic development projects in North Texas and beyond. Perot is the Chairman of Hillwood, a Texas-based global real estate development company he founded in 1988. He also serves as Chairman of The Perot Companies, which manages various Perot family interests, including oil and gas, real estate, and financial investments.
Ross was born in Dallas, Texas, and likes to say he watched the American dream unfold in his living room. His father, Ross Perot Sr., became the top salesman at IBM before building his own company, Electronic Data Systems (EDS). While Perot Sr. was building and growing EDS, he took an interest in real estate and the father-son duo began working together.
Ross has been an active member of the U.S. Chamber’s Board of Directors since June 2020, and most recently served as vice chair. His passion for creating economic opportunity led him to get involved in the Chamber’s work. Ross Perot Jr. will lead the Board of Directors in supporting the Chamber’s agenda to drive growth, impact, and leadership on behalf of the American business community.
Growth
Ross built his career by spearheading public-private partnerships that create economic growth and opportunity. In 1989, he developed Fort Worth Alliance Airport, the country’s first industrial airport, through a public-private partnership. The airport now anchors AllianceTexas, a globally recognized model for regional economic development home to 590 companies and four million square feet of shopping, dining, health, medical and entertainment options integrated with a variety of living and community developments. Led by Hillwood’s development, AllianceTexas has generated nearly $130 billion in regional economic impact and created more than 66,000 direct jobs.
Hillwood has grown substantially since Ross founded the company and now manages large-scale residential, commercial, and industrial developments across the United States, Canada, and Europe. He has a unique ability to identify high-growth areas around the globe and work collaboratively with government and industry leaders to bring transformative community development projects to life.
Ross plans to use the same pioneering spirit that has driven his success in business to support the Chamber’s pro-growth policy agenda. Whether it’s Texas or California, he is passionate about ensuring every place in America can achieve its unique potential for growth.
Ross Perot Jr. speaks to employees at a conference.
Ross Perot Jr. at the dedication of the U.S. Airforce Memorial with President George W. Bush.
Ross Perot Jr. celebrates the opening of the runway at Alliance Airport.
Outgoing Chamber Board Chair Mark Ordan passes the gavel to Ross Perot Jr., with Chamber President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark and Sen. Bill Haggerty. Perot and Haggerty were classmates at Vanderbilt University.
Impact
Outside of his impressive contributions to the business world, Ross has made a profound impact on aviation and philanthropy. Shortly after graduating from Vanderbilt University, he co-piloted the first ever around-the-world helicopter flight at just 23 years old. In August of 1982, Ross read in the Dallas Morning News about an Australian pilot who was trying for the record. Driven by his desire to solidify America as a leader in aviation, Ross set off 30 days later alongside his co-pilot Jay Coburn. The two flew around the world in 29 days, 3 hours and 8 minutes. Ross was awarded the Langley Gold Medal for his achievement, an award given by the Smithsonian Institution for outstanding contributions to the science of aeronautics, in 1983.
Ross went on to serve for the next eight years as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, where he flew F-4 Phantoms. He later became the chairman of the Air Force Memorial Foundation, where he led the 14-year effort to plan, fund, and build the United States Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C. The memorial was dedicated in 2006 and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Continuing his family’s legacy of giving back and helping others, Ross and his wife Sarah established the Sarah and Ross Perot Jr. Foundation in 2002, which supports healthcare, education, and community development initiatives. The foundation’s contributions to medical research at UT Southwestern Medical Center have helped train hundreds of new physicians and advance life-saving biomedical research. Ross is grateful to be involved in the noble work of medical research and education.
Ross’ desire to drive large scale impact and be a force multiplier for good will support the Chamber’s leadership in fighting in every place the business community needs to win; on the state and federal levels, globally, in the courts, and in the public arena.
Leadership
Ross will lead the U.S. Chamber’s Board of Directors and support President and CEO Suzanne Clark in protecting the free enterprise system and advancing a pro-growth agenda. Ross is passionate about economic freedom, having seen throughout his career how public policy can help or hinder economic growth. When Hillwood started expanding outside of Texas, Ross quickly realized the friendly business environment in the state wasn’t the norm. A competitive tax code, supportive regulatory landscape, affordable energy, and a skilled workforce were the keys to unlocking growth and opportunity across North Texas. Ross learned early on the critical role of public policy in creating growth, and has worked with mayors, governors, and federal officials over the course of his career.
Ross’s leadership extends beyond his work on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. He currently serves on the boards of the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institution and is a member of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is also a Board Member Emeritus for Vanderbilt University, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and St. Mark's School of Texas.
Working with the Chamber’s executive team, Ross will support the Chamber’s mission to promote free enterprise around the globe and ensure its ability to support greater economic growth.
