Charles E. Hurwitz

Charles E. Hurwitz, born and raised in Kilgore, Texas, is a long-time resident of Houston, Texas, and President and Chief Executive Officer of MAXXAM Inc.

Charles is the son of a haberdasher. He graduated from Oklahoma University in 1962 with a BBA in finance; he then served in the United States Army from 1962 – 1964. He began his business career in 1965 as a stockbroker and by 27 he founded the first public hedge fund – Hedge Fund of America.

Over the years, through a series of strategic mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, his companies principally owned asset-rich businesses. Acquisitions were focused on companies with underperforming or underutilized assets, with the strategy to rationalize the business, create efficiencies and increase cash flow from the asset base. His companies have made investments in numerous, diverse operating businesses spanning many industries including a pattern business, the sugar industry, oil and gas, aluminum, forest products, resort development and operations, pari-mutuel racing and commercial and residential real estate development.

Over the years, his companies have developed more than 30 luxury projects including resort communities, residential communities, golf communities and commercial properties and developments in 8 states/territories including Puerto Rico, Arizona, California, Texas, Arkansas, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado. His projects are associated with interesting features and people such as the authentic London Bridge in Lake Havasu, Arizona and the prestigious Ritz Carlton Hotel in Palm Desert, California, home to former Presidents and other celebrities. His current focus is on developing the beautiful beach resort community of Palmas del Mar, consisting of six miles of Caribbean waterfront property, a country club, two championship golf courses, and the largest tennis center in the Caribbean, located in the southeast corner of the island of Puerto Rico.

In addition to maintaining an active business career, he stays involved with politics and frequently communicates with former Presidents, governors, and politicians at all levels of government, which includes maintaining contact and friendships with many business leaders whom he has done business with throughout the years.

Charles has been married to his wife, Barbara, for over 50 years.