H. Ross Perot, Jr.

Henry Ross Perot, Jr. (b.1958) is a real estate developer and Chairman of the Board of Perot Systems. The only son of Ross Perot, Perot has aggressively expanded the family fortunes, primarily through real estate. He became independently prominent in the 1980s through his development and ownership of Fort Worth Alliance Airport and the surrounding area (Circle T Ranch and residential community of Heritage), a massive project that was heavily funded by governmental grants but which helped make Perot a powerful force within Texas. This early success also empowered Perot to gain majority ownership of the Dallas Mavericks NBA basketball team, a decision that was largely based on Perot's desire to develop the real estate that surrounded the basketball arena. This real estate eventually became Victory Park. His interest in the Mavericks has since been sold to Mark Cuban.

Early life

Perot was born and raised in Dallas. He graduated from St. Mark's School of Texas in 1977. As a high school student, he won world championships in Tennessee Walking Horse competitions. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, he entered the United States Air Force. He and his family live in Dallas, Texas, where he is active in a number of civic and charitable organizations.

In March 2007, Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, seeking the Republican nod for president in 2008, announced that H. Ross Perot, Jr. would serve as a member of his Texas statewide finance committee. [http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/index]

Aviation

H. Ross Perot Jr. piloted the first ever helicopter round the world flight in a Bell 206 L-1 Long Ranger II, the "Spirit of Texas." Perot Jr. and Jay Coburn completed the first circumnavigation of the world by helicopter on September 30, 1982. Their journey began 29 days, 3 hours, and 8 minutes earlier on September 1.

For their trip around the world, which began and ended in Fort Worth, Texas, Perot and Coburn flew a Long Ranger with full navigation equipment, survival gear, and emergency items. Also added were pop-out floats, and a 151-gallon auxiliary fuel tank in place of the rear seat. An additional five hours’ endurance was added to enable the Spirit of Texas to fly eight hours without refueling.

The "Spirit of Texas" made its last landing at Andrews Air Force Base on November 15. 1982. From there, it was transferred to the National Air and Space Museum for display, and later it was donated by H. Ross Perot to become a permanent part of the National Aeronautical Collection.

Current positions held

*Chairman of the Board of Perot Systems
*Chairman of Hillwood Development Corporation
*Chairman of the United States Air Force Memorial Foundation
*Board of Trustees of St. Mark's School of Texas
*Member of the Executive Committee of the International Business Leaders Forum
*Board of Trustees of Southern Methodist University
*Board of Directors of the East-West Institute
*Board of Directors of the Perot Foundation
*Board of Directors of the Dallas Citizens Council

External links

*Round The World Flight [http://www.earthrounders.com/cgi/other.php]