Kenny Troutt

Kenny A. Troutt
Born1948 (age 75–76)
Mount Vernon, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation(s)Founder and former Excel Communications CEO
SpouseLisa E. Copeland
Children3
Notes
Forbes ranked #1,222th richest person in the world (2014)[1]

Kenny A. Troutt (born 1948) is an American businessman. He founded Excel Communications, a Texas-based telecommunications company that offered long distance phone service. Troutt became a billionaire in 1998 when Excel was sold to Teleglobe for $3.5 billion. As of 2023, his net worth was estimated at USD$ 1.5B.

Today, Troutt is the sole owner of WinStar Farm,[2] an elite 2,400 acre thoroughbred horse farm in Versailles, Kentucky.[1] He is Chairman of Mt. Vernon Investments.[3] Troutt has won the Kentucky Derby twice, Preakness Stakes once, and the Belmont Stakes three times, including the 13th Triple Crown. He is the owner of Justify, the winner of the 13th Triple Crown. Some notable stallions from Winstar Farm include Super Saver, winner of the 2010 Kentucky Derby; Drosselmeyer, winner of the 2010 Belmont Stakes; Creator, winner of the 2016 Belmont Stakes; and Justify, winner of the 13th Triple Crown.[4][5]

Troutt is a major Republican donor, and has contributed to American Crossroads, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum,[6] and "Kentuckians for Strong Leadership", a super PAC backing Mitch McConnell.[7] Together with his spouse, Troutt contributed $1.7 million to Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign.[8] As of April 19, 2022, Troutt has donated $1,409,651,[9] to Texas Republican candidates Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton, and Dan Patrick. Troutt's son, Preston, has also donated to Republican Party candidates.[6]

Troutt graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1971, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.[10]

In 2005, Troutt started the first of three youth basketball teams, known as the Titans, for his sons and the son of a business partner. The teams have an annual budget of $3 million.[11]

  1. ^ a b "#1222 Kenny Troutt". Forbes. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  2. ^ "Team - WinStar Farm - Thoroughbred Stallions - Versailles, KY". WinStar Farm. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
  3. ^ "Kenny A Troutt: Chief Executive Officer, Mount Vernon Investments". Bloomberg News.
  4. ^ "'I was hoarse down the stretch': Triple Crown winner Justify's owner, Dallas' Kenny Troutt, speaks to The News". SportsDay. 2018-06-09. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  5. ^ "Triple Crown winner Justify's owner is a Dallas resident". WFAA. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  6. ^ a b Slater, Wayne (July 16, 2012). "Romney reports more than $13 million raised in Texas". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 1, 2013.(registration required)
  7. ^ Clozel, Lalita (October 17, 2014). ""Grassroots" Groups Flooded with Big Donor Cash in Third Quarter". OpenSecrets.
  8. ^ "Here Are The Billionaires Who Donated To Donald Trump's 2020 Presidential Campaign". Forbes. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Kenny a and Lisa Troutt - Texas Donor". TransparencyUSA. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
  10. ^ "Distinguished Alumni". Tau Kappa Epsilon. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  11. ^ Melby, Caleb (15 July 2013). "Billionaire Kenny Troutt Founded America's Most Indulgent, Most Successful Youth Basketball Team". Forbes. Retrieved 26 October 2014.