Robert Rowling

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Robert Rowling is the founder of TRT Holdings, the holding company of Omni Hotels and Gold's Gym. Forbes magazine in 2006 lists him as the 45th wealthiest American.

In 1972, Rowling began working for his father's Tana Oil and Gas. In 1989 Texaco acquired Tana from Rowling for $476 million; money that he used to form TRT Holdings. Five years later, TRT Holdings sold Corpus Christi National Bank for $131 million. TRT Holdings would later purchase Omni Hotels for $500 million and Gold's Gym for $180 million.

Rowling also serves as a regent to the University of Texas System and has been given the title of Bush Pioneer for his contributions to the Bush campaign. Rowling has a law degree from Southern Methodist University.

Rowling is often seen around Dallas and the world with William C. Dunlap, founder and former owner of Case Dunlap Enterprises (now Tic Toc), one of the nation's largest promotional products companies.