Charles Koch

Charles de Ganahl Koch is an American billionaire businessman. As of January 2023, he was ranked as the 14th richest person in the world on Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with an estimated net worth of $68 billion. Koch has been co-owner, chairman, and chief executive officer of Koch Industries since 1967, while his late brother David Koch served as executive vice president. Charles and David each owned 42% of the conglomerate. The brothers inherited the business from their father, Fred C. Koch, then expanded the business. Originally involved exclusively in oil refining and chemicals, Koch Industries now includes process and pollution control equipment and technologies, polymers and fibers, minerals, fertilizers, commodity trading and services, forest and consumer products, and ranching. The businesses produce a wide variety of well-known brands, such as Stainmaster carpet, the Lycra brand of spandex fiber, Quilted Northern tissue, and Dixie Cup. Koch Industries is the largest privately held company by revenue in the United States, according to Forbes. Koch has published three books detailing his business philosophy, The Science of Success, Market Based Management, and Good Profit.