Joseph Moeller

Family: Married to Mary (Fellers) Moeller, who also attended TU. (They will celebrate their 40th anniversary in October.) Three children — Suzanne, Sherri and Jason; five grandchildren — Joe, Chris, Mary, Bruce and John.

Work: Koch Industries, Inc.; president and chief operating officer; 38 years with Koch, five as president and COO

Hometown: Holdenville, Oklahoma

FAVORITES
  • Hobby: Golf
  • Book: Smartest Guys in the Room - the Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron Why? To remind myself of the importance of integrity.
  • What are you reading this summer? Moneyball - the Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis, and Give Me a Break by John Stossel.
  • Vacation Destination: Scottsdale, Arizona and Beaver Creek (near Vail), Colorado.
  • Memory of TU: Meeting my wife, Mary, on a blind date.
LIFE LESSONS
  • What inspired you?
    I’ve had four great mentors in my life: my father, Charles Koch, Sterling Varner and Bill Hanna. (The latter three preceded me as president/COOs of Koch Industries.) Their advice came often… even when I didn’t ask for it!
  • What advice do you give to your children/ grandchildren?
    Whatever you choose to do with your life, be the best you can be. They all make fun of the fact that I’m always saying, “Things are going to change around here!”
  • What would people be surprised to know about you?
    I always thought I wanted to be an athletic coach. When I stop and think about it, I guess I really am a coach, just in a different discipline.
  • What are you most proud of?
    The growth and success of both Koch Industries and my family. Both are based on good, solid values.
  • What was the greatest challenge in your professional life?
    Recognizing that I didn’t have to be the smartest or best at everything. If you try to be that way, you end up being a bottleneck. I’ve learned the importance of surrounding myself with people who are smarter than I am.
  • If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?
    I wish my parents could have lived longer to see the success of their sons and enjoy the fruits of our labor. My parents both died at a very young age (57 and 61).
  • Define happiness:
    Alongside my wonderful wife, I love watching our family grow. I’m also happy to see Koch Industries grow in all the right ways.