By James Thompson

According to Project Vote Smart, the 11th highest contributor to Greg Abbott’s political campaign is Paul L. Foster. Mr. Foster, according to Project Vote Smart, contributed $110,000.

Wikipedia describes Mr. Foster: Paul L. Foster is an American businessman who is Chief Executive Officer and chairman of the board of Western Refining, an oil refiner and marketer based in El Paso, Texas. In 2007, he appeared on the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans, ranking 261st with a net worth estimated at $1.9 billion. As of 2014[update], Forbes lists his net worth as $1 billion. He is Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System.

In 2007, Foster donated $50 million to help create the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso.

In 2013 Foster donated $35 million to his alma mater, Baylor University, the majority of which was to be used to construct new $100 million, 275,000 square foot business school facilities, which will be named the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation (housing Baylor’s existing Hankamer School of Business). Part of the gift was also earmarked for the $260 million McLane Stadium project. He also gave Baylor $3 million in 2006 to build the Paul L. Foster Success Center, a clearinghouse where students can receive academic and career help.

In November 2007, Foster was appointed to the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System by Governor Rick Perry. In 2009, Foster was elected Vice Chairman of the Board of Regents. In 2010 and 2011, he was re-elected as Vice-Chairman. In 2012, he was elected as Chairman of the Board of Regents. In 2013, he was re-appointed to the Board of Regents.

Foster, a 1979 Baylor graduate, was a member of the Texas Theta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon while at college there. He was on the Baylor business school’s advisory board from 2008-2010.

Businessweek writes of Mr. Foster: “Mr. Paul L. Foster is a Co-Owner of Mountain Star Sports Group, LLC. Mr. Foster is a Partner in Jordan Foster Construction. He served as the Chief Executive Officer at Western Refining, Inc. from 2000 to January 2010 and President from 2000 to February 2009. He served as a Vice President and General Manager at Border Refining Company since 1993. He served as the President and Chief Executive Officer at WRC Refining Company since 1997. He also served on the Task Force … on UTMB Clinical Operations. He has spent virtually his entire career working in the refined product production and marketing industry. Mr. Foster is the Founder of Western Refining, Inc. and has been its Executive Chairman since September 2005. He serves as the Executive Chairman of Western Refining Logistics GP LLC, a general partner of Western Refining Logistics, LP and its Director since July 2013. He has been the Chairman at Northern Tier Energy GP LLC, a General Partner of Northern Tier Energy LP since January 02, 2014 and its Director since November 12, 2013. He serves as the Chairman of University of Texas Investment Management Company. He has been Chairman of Board of Regents of The University of Texas System since August 22, 2013. He served as the Chairman and Member of Executive Committee of El Paso Regional Economic Development Corporation. He also served as Chairman El Paso Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mr. Foster has been Vice Chairman of Board of Regents at The University of Texas System since 2011. He served as Vice Chairman of University of Texas Investment Management Company. He serves as a Director at Texas Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Foster serves as a Member of Advisory Board of Hankamer School of Business. He is a Member of National Petroleum Club, Governor’s Business Council, and World President’s Organization. He is a Member of Business Advisory Council of University of Texas at El Paso. He has been a Director of Board of Regents of The University of Texas System since February 2013. He serves as a Director of Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce. He serves as a Director of Bank of the West. He serves as a Member of Executive Committee at Borderplex Bi-National Economic Alliance and Paso del Norte Group. He serves as a Director of WestStar Bank, an El Paso-based bank; as a Director of Vomaris Innovations, Inc., a privately held medical device company; as a Member of the board of managers of Jordan Foster Construction, LLC. He was a Member of Young President’s Organization. He was a Member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Mr. Foster has received numerous honors, including the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Baylor Alumni Association, El Pasoan of the Year by El Paso Inc., Entrepreneur of the Year by the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, and has twice received the City of El Paso Conquistador Award. He was inducted into The Texas Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Foster graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Baylor University and received certification from the Arizona State Board of Accountancy.

 

Texas voters should consider this top contributor to Greg Abbott’s campaign before casting their ballot in November.