GEORGE MITCHELL
HOUSTON entrepreneur, developer, and civic supporter George Mitchell is many things to many people.
To those in the energy and petroleum industries, Mitchell is best known as co-founder of Mitchell Energy & Development Corporation. A native of Galveston who was born to Greek immigrants, Mitchell received his degree in petroleum engineering and geology from Texas A&M University. "I was born to parents who had little education," he explained. "That was their dream for us, perseverance and knowledge and getting a good education."
Following his service with the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, Mitchell joined a new wildcatting company as a consulting geologist and engineer, then later as partner. Later renamed Mitchell Energy & Development Corporation, the company today is one of the largest independent gas and oil producers in the state, and one of the largest real estate developers in the Houston-Galveston region. According to Mitchell, the company has found more than 200 oil and 350 gas properties since its beginnings in 1946.
Mitchell also adds his talents to improving his industry. He serves on the National Petroleum Council and is a past president and chairman of the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association.
During the 1960s, Mitchell frequently traveled around the country, and what he saw going on nationwide disturbed him greatly. He worried that the so-called "white flight" to the suburbs would lead to subdivisions that might stifle a city’s core. He envisioned a planned community where mixed-income housing could be developed close to downtown jobs and shops. This vision resulted in The Woodlands. The vibrant community opened in 1974.
The Woodlands is located north of Houston on 25,000 acres and is home to 40,000 people. It will eventually house 180,000 residents and create 100,000 jobs. The Woodlands has received international acclaim for its planning, particularly in the area of ecology.
Mitchell is renowned in the academic and research communities as founder of the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) and Center for Global Studies. A contract and grant research institution headquartered at The Woodlands’ Research Forest, HARC is a collaboration of eight universities, as well as high-tech research and commercial spin-offs of universities. Through HARC, Mitchell founded the Center for Global Studies, which sponsors a series of conferences on environmental and growth issues and problems. The Center awards The Mitchell Prize, $100,000 in awards at each conference, to encourage research into environmental and growth issues and problems. In addition, Mitchell is a supporter of education, having served on the Texas Select Committee on Higher Education and the Texas Governor’s Science and Technology Council.
Mitchell is probably best known to the Houston community as a supportive civic leader. He and his wife, Cynthia, are deeply involved with the arts and are active in rebuilding the Galveston area.
"We have a strong sense of community," Mitchell said. "And we want to serve both Houston and Galveston as best we can."
