Charles Koch

Charles Koch has served as the co-owner, chairman, and chief executive officer of Koch Industries since 1967. Alongside his late brother David Koch, he inherited the business from their father, Fred C. Koch, and oversaw its significant expansion. Under his leadership, Koch Industries has become the largest privately held company by revenue in the United States according to Forbes.

Beyond his business activities, Koch is a prominent supporter of libertarian organizations and think tanks. He co-founded the Cato Institute and provides funding for the Institute for Humane Studies, the Ayn Rand Institute, and the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. His philanthropic and political contributions also extend to the Republican Party and various libertarian groups, including those that oppose environmental regulation.

Koch is an author who has written four books detailing his professional and management philosophies. These titles include Market Based Management, The Science of Success, Good Profit, and Believe in People. As of May 2025, his business success has placed him 22nd on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index with an estimated net worth of $71.4 billion.