Charles de Ganahl Koch (born November 1, 1935) is an American businessman, political donor, and philanthropist. He is the co-owner, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer of Koch Industries, while his brother David H. Koch served as Executive Vice President. Charles and David each owned a 42% stake in the conglomerate. The brothers inherited the business from their father, Fred C. Koch, and significantly expanded it. Initially focused solely on oil refining and chemicals, Koch Industries has diversified into process and pollution-control equipment and technologies; polymers and fibers; minerals; fertilizers; commodity trading and services; forest and consumer products; and ranching. Its companies produce a wide range of well-known brands such as Stainmaster carpet, Lycra spandex fiber, Quilted Northern tissue, and Dixie Cups.
Koch Industries is the second-largest privately held company by revenue in the United States, according to a 2010 Forbes survey. As of February 2014, Charles Koch was ranked 9th on the Hurun Report’s global rich list with an estimated net worth of $36 billion. Earlier, in October 2012, Bloomberg Billionaires Index ranked him as the sixth richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $34 billion, and he was 18th on Forbes’ 2011 World’s Billionaires list (and 4th on the Forbes 400), with an estimated fortune of $25 billion, largely stemming from his 42% ownership of Koch Industries. Koch has published two books outlining his business philosophy: The Science of Success and Good Profit.
Koch supports numerous market-oriented educational organizations, including the Institute for Humane Studies and the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He also contributes to the Republican Party, libertarian groups, and various charitable and cultural institutions. He co-founded the Cato Institute, based in Washington, D.C. Through the Koch Cultural Trust, established by Charles Koch’s wife, Elizabeth, the family has also supported artistic projects and creative professionals.