Continuing in the storied tradition of our patriarch, legendary Texas capitalist H. R. “Bum” Bright, Reeder Capital Partners is the investment analysis and review arm of the Bright-Reeder Family group of companies. First established in 1971, Reeder companies have facilitated investments over multiple generations in a variety of industries and market segments. With our DNA rooted in oil and gas exploration and production, we have diversified by investing, acquiring and developing real estate around the world, as well as investing in and acquiring businesses that are leaders in their respective industries.
The structure and unique history of Reeder Capital Partners enables us to be an exceptional resource and flexible investment partner for all types of businesses. We continually seek to invest in opportunities that share our commitment to entrepreneurism, integrity and sound business principles.
Investment Criteria
Real Estate
Our primary interests are in opportunities related to:
- Single Family Lot & Master Planned Community Development
- Healthcare and Assisted Living Facilities
- Retail and Hospitality
- Office Building
- Multi-Family
- Industrial/Multi-use Commercial
Commercial/Industrial Business
We are sector agnostic and seek to make control investments across a broad set of industries in privately held businesses. We look for these common attributes:
- Viable operating companies with sustainable cash flows that can use additional capital to grow
- U.S.-based primary revenue at $10 – $200 million
- EBITDA at greater than $3 million
- Experienced, growth-oriented management teams
- Reasonably varied customer base w/out heavy concentration
Technology
Our focus is in water and wastewater industrial applications, whether oriented to new services or technology improvements:
- Water Logistics and Water Management
- Infrastructure Development
- Pipeline Testing Services
- Other
Our Investment Approach
We Invest Our Own Capital
Since we invest our own capital, we can maintain a long-term investment perspective, making us an especially adaptable partner. With significant financial resources and liquidity, we can advance investments and structure transactions to meet the varying needs of sellers and investment partners.
We Have an Established History
We have a proven track record of successful investing, whether in oil and gas, real estate or growing middle-market businesses. As a result of our generations long investment history and varied experiences, we recognize that employing different types of capital structures can provide our portfolio companies, real estate funds and other investments the ability to focus on growth rather than financing.
The Reeder Difference
Led by a family legacy of integrity and dedication, our partners have the comfort of knowing that their properties’ long-term value propositions are in safe, knowledgeable hands. We believe that by providing access
to our unique resources, relationships and transaction capabilities, all of our partners are able to participate with us in what we anticipate will be the great fun of watching our chosen investments appreciate in value.
Reeder Capital Partners investment strategies are built upon the same core values that have guided the family office into our now third generation of investing: integrity, respect, courage and responsibility. We look for and expect the same of our partners.
Reeder History
H.R. “Bum” Bright: Engineer, Soldier, Oil Man, Philanthropist, Banker, Owner of the NFL Dallas Cowboys. Born of modest beginnings in Muskogee, Oklahoma, but always a good student, Bum Bright received his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M University in 1943. After graduating, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army, and deployed to the European Theater during World War II. Captain Bright remained in the Army until returning to Texas in 1946.
Seeing the large post-war opportunity in Texas for a developing America, Bright began investing in oil and natural gas leases. In 1948, Bum founded the Bright & Schiff Oil Co. with his former Texas A&M roommate Herbert Schiff. Later, Bright expanded into insurance, trucking, real estate and banking, at one time being the largest individual stockholder and a director of First Republic Bank Corporation, the then largest bank in Texas.
In 1984, Bright formed and led a partnership to purchase the Dallas Cowboys NFL franchise from Clint Murchison, Jr. for $60 million. Bright’s stated goal when he bought the team was that it was a “civic duty to keep the Cowboys Dallas-owned.” In keeping with that philosophy, he later sold the Cowboys to Jerry Jones in 1989 for $140 million.
As a well-regarded philanthropist, Bright was the Chairman of the Dallas Children’s Medical Center for over a decade, giving his time and money to help make Dallas Children’s one of the premier children’s hospitals in the country, culminating in the building of The Bright Building, dedicated to serving children with significant social needs. Further honoring his tradition of giving of time and resources, Bright was given the Southwest Medical Foundation Sprague Award in 2002 for his significant support to the improvement of medical education, leading-edge medical research and patient care.
Bum was also well known for very publicly supporting his alma mater, Texas A&M University, and served as the chairman of Texas A&M University System Board of Regents from 1981 to 1985. In 1997, Bright donated $25 million to his esteemed alma mater – the largest unrestricted gift ever received by the University at the time, with another $5 million given in 2000 to support renovation of the school’s football stadium, Kyle Field. As a testament to his generosity, two buildings on Texas A&M’s campus bear his name: The H. R. “Bum” Bright Engineering building and Bright Football Complex.
Named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1991, Texas A&M also presented Bright with the Sterling C. Evans Medal in 2002.
H. R. Bum Bright passed away in December 2004, but his family legacy lives on through the Reeder Family group of companies and Reeder Capital Partners.
