Bill Koch (businessman)

William Ingraham Koch (born May 3, 1940) is a wealthy American businessman, sailor, and collector. His boat was the winner of the America's Cup in 1992.

Business career

Koch is the son of Fred C. Koch, founder of Koch Industries, a business empire based on oil refining that became the largest privately owned company in America. Bill worked in the company but eventually sold his share to his brothers, Charles and David, after a long legal battle."Kock’s wife granted order of restraint". Pittsburg (KS) Morning Sun, July 21, 2000.

Various legal disputes between the brothers lasted some two decades. Bill and another brother, Frederick, sided against Charles and David at one point. In 2001, Bill Koch reached a settlement in a case where he had charged the company was taking oil from federal and Indian land. This settlement, whose terms were not disclosed, ended all litigation between the brothers."Judge Clears Koch Brothers' Settlement Pact". Wall Street Journal, May 29, 2001

An engineer by training, Koch graduated from MIT. After leaving Koch Industries, he became the founder and president of the Oxbow Group, based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Oxbow is a holding company focused on energy development, including alternative energy sources.Schwan, Gary. "A taste of what floats collector Koch’s boat". Palm Beach Post, March 13, 2006.

Koch also co-chairs the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, a group formed to fight the Cape Wind project to build an offshore wind farm of 130 turbines. He became involved because of owning a home in Osterville, Massachusetts. In 2005, Koch contributed $500,000 in donations to the Alliance directly and more than $1 million toward lobbyist efforts to defeat the project.Dennehy, Kevin and David Schoetz. "State could decide fate of wind farm". Cape Cod Times, April 1, 2006., Brooks, Walter. "Osterville billionaire oil man behind stealth move to stop the wind farm". Cape Cod Today, March 16, 2006.

America's Cup

Koch won the America's Cup in 1992 with the ship America³, defeating an Italian team four races to one. Its overall record including trials was 28-10. Koch reportedly spent around $65 million on his effort and though an amateur, sailed on the crew himself, assisted by veteran sailors like Buddy Melges.Roberts, Rich. "America 3 Win No Bargain Sail Yachting: But after beating Il Moro, 4-1, Koch says the $65 million he spent to win the America's Cup is worth it." Los Angeles Times, May 17, 1992.

In 1995, he financed another team to compete for the cup. This time the crew consisted entirely of women except for tactician David Dellenbaugh, on a yacht named Mighty Mary. However, the boat lost to Dennis Conner's Stars & Stripes in the trials.Phillips, Angus. "Mighty Mary's Fate Is Left on the Wind". Washington Post, April 28, 1995.

Koch's collections

Koch is an avid collector of art and wine, and especially of maritime memorabilia. His collection includes model ships, antique nautical instruments, and paintings of ships and seascapes. A 2005 show at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston featured his various collections, including both the America³ and the ship it defeated, Il Moro di Venezia, displayed on the front lawn. (Koch had bought Il Moro after the competition.) The show was also criticized, however, for glamorizing Koch at the expense of the museum's educational function. Koch had helped finance the show, including paying the cost to move the boats from Rhode Island.Edgers, Geoff. "Furor ahoy: MFA exhibit of Koch's collections stirs questions over choices, motives". Boston Globe, August 30, 2005.

The boats were in Rhode Island because Koch had placed them with a small maritime museum there. Despite the considerable expense of building them, he said "they have absolutely no value" once their racing life is over.Walker, Sam. "On Sports: Sailing's Edsels". Wall Street Journal, February 14, 2003. Koch, a native of Wichita, Kansas, donated the ship he used in qualifying for the America's Cup races, The Jayhawk, to the Wichita Boathouse. He also supplied money for the city to use in repairing the yacht.Voorhis, Dan. "Jayhawk needs $150,000 overhaul". Wichita Eagle, March 18, 2006.

Personal life

Koch’s personal life has also received public attention. In 1995, he filed a lawsuit against his former lover, Catherine de Castelbajac, to evict her from his $2.5 million condominium at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. He said he had allowed her to move in the previous year so she could attend Simmons College, as he seldom used the apartment. In 1994 Koch married Joan Granlund, with whom he had a nine-year-old son. When he tried to end the relationship, de Castelbajac refused to move out and claimed he had broken his promises to her. A jury ruled in Koch's favor after a trial noted for its disclosure of torrid letters and faxes between the two.Mehren, Elizabeth. "A Steamy Romance Gets Frosty in Court". Los Angeles Times, November 28, 1995.

A complaint by Koch's subsequent wife, Angela, led to his arrest in 2000 based on allegations of domestic violence. The charge was dropped after Angela refused to testify, and the couple later divorced."Assault charge against Koch dropped". USA Today, January 14, 2001. Koch's third marriage in 2005 was to Bridget Rooney, granddaughter of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney. By this time, Koch had fully reconciled with his brother David, who served as best man.Lambiet, Jose. "28-story mast to be visible for miles". Palm Beach Post, February 20, 2005

References

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