Honcho> Robert B. Rowling

Owner and Chairman, TRT Holdings, Inc.

Updated: 1/29/2009

Robert Rowling is the owner and chairman of TRT Holdings, Inc. Among the companies Mr. Rowling has built are Tana Oil & Gas Corporation (subsequently merged with Texaco) and Teco Pipeline Company (subsequently merged with Pacific Gas & Electric). Mr. Rowling and associates also acquired Corpus Christi National Bank and later merged it with Bank of America.

Mr. Rowling currently serves as chairman of TRT Holdings' wholly-owned luxury hotel division, Omni Hotels. Following TRT Holdings' purchase of Omni Hotels in 1996, Mr. Rowling transformed the company into a luxury hotel brand boasting over 40 hotels and resorts across North America. Omni Hotels was ranked "Highest in Guest Satisfaction among Upscale Hotel Chains" by J.D. Power and Associates in 2000, 2005 and 2006 Hotel Guest Satisfaction Studies.

Mr. Rowling has lent his expertise to numerous boards and has also been recognized for his many achievements. He currently serves on the national board of Young Life, The University of Texas System Board of Regents, the board of Guaranty Financial Group Inc. and is the Chairman of the Board of The University of Texas Investment Management Company. In 2003, Mr. Rowling received the Southern Methodist University Dedman Law School Distinguished Alumni Award and was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. In 2005, he was inducted into both The University of Texas' McCombs School of Business Hall of Fame and the All-American Wildcatters for his achievements in the oil & gas industry.

Mr. Rowling attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin in 1976 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. In 1979, Mr. Rowling received his Juris Doctor with honors from the Southern Methodist University School of Law. .:.

Source: SEC