The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is pleased to announce that accomplished entrepreneur Chris Wright will serve as its Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the Fall 2024 semester. Wright, the founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT), based in Denver, Colorado, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the role.
Liberty Energy, founded in 2011, is a leading North American energy services firm renowned for its innovative completion services and technologies for onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Liberty Energy boasts a market capitalization of $3.33 billion and employs 5,500 individuals.
A self-described tech enthusiast turned entrepreneur, Chris Wright is committed to enhancing human lives by expanding access to abundant, affordable, and reliable energy. He holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and has completed graduate work in Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley and MIT.
In 1992, Wright founded Pinnacle Technologies, which pioneered innovations in commercial shale gas production and hydraulic fracture mapping. He served as CEO of Pinnacle until 2006 and was Chairman of Stroud Energy, an early shale gas producer, which was sold to Range Resources in 2006. In 2010, he founded Liberty Resources, focusing on Bakken exploration and production, and Liberty Midstream Solutions, which was sold in 2024.
Wright also serves on the Board of Directors for Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO), a next-generation small modular nuclear reactor company, and EMX Royalty Corp. (NYSE-A: EMX), a global mining royalties firm. Additionally, he is involved with several nonprofit organizations, including ACE Scholarships, and is a founding board member of the Bettering Human Lives Foundation. Wright resides in Colorado with his wife, Liz, and enjoys being a passionate father, grandfather, skier, cyclist, climber, and outdoor enthusiast.
“I’m honored to join the Barton School of Business as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence and am thrilled about the opportunity to engage with such a dynamic and passionate community. I look forward to sharing the experiences that have shaped my career and fostering meaningful discussions with students, faculty, and the entrepreneurial and business community. Together, we can explore the transformative power of innovation and collaboration.”
Wright will deliver an impactful keynote address titled “Empowering Global Communities: The Transformative Role of Energy in Bettering Human Lives” on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM in Woolsey Hall. This presentation will align with Wright’s commitment to humanitarianism and his extensive career in various energy sectors, including oil, gas, nuclear, solar, and geothermal.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Chris, take photos, and receive a signed copy of the 2024 “Bettering Human Lives” report during a networking reception following the keynote that will take place in the atrium at 4:30 PM. Additionally, as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Wright will engage in inspirational meetings with the Barton School leadership team, faculty, students, and the entrepreneurial and business community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chris Wright as our new Entrepreneur-in-Residence,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School of Business. “Chris’s distinguished background, remarkable leadership, and innovative mindset will be tremendous assets to our faculty, staff, students, and the broader community. His wealth of experience and forward-thinking approach will undoubtedly enrich our academic environment and inspire the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.”