Texas Tech University

Bob L. Herd Foundation Endowed Fellowship

 

The Bob L. Herd Foundation Endowment was established by the Bob L. Herd Foundation in 2009. Funds can be used for graduate fellowships and research related expenditures for the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications.

Michael is vice president of Herd Producing Co., and president of the Bob L. Herd Foundation, which was established by his grandfather, Bob L. Herd, a 1957 Texas Tech petroleum engineering graduate and namesake of the Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering. Michael grew up in Dallas, where he attended W.T. White High School, and graduated from Texas Tech in 2010. While at Texas Tech, he was a member of the Rodeo Team and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After graduation, Michael moved to Tyler, where he began his career in the oil industry and philanthropy. Michael, along with the Bob L. Herd Foundation, is helping to promote higher education by providing state-of-the-art facilities to provide students the best opportunity for advancement.

Michael is married to Bumble app founder, Whitney Wolfe.

Bob L. Herd graduated from Mesquite High School, Mesquite, Texas, and went on to serve for four years in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. After completing his tour of duty, Mr. Herd came to Texas Tech University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering in 1957. From 1957 to 1964, Mr. Herd worked for Enserch Exploration, before founding Herd Producing Co., Inc. He later began several affiliates of the company, Ty−Tex Exploration, Inc.; Horizon Natural Gas Corporation; and Petro Management, Inc. Herd Producing Co. now has 33 employees and owns and operates more than 400 wells in North Louisiana and East Texas.

Among the many honors Mr. Herd has received for his work in the petroleum industry is the Society of Petroleum Engineers 1993 Pioneer Award in the Field of Energy. In October 1994, Mr. Herd was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas Tech University. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen, and the East Texas Geological Society.

Mr. Herd has been very supportive of Texas Tech, serving on the President's Council and funding a Presidential Endowed Scholarship. He also is a member of the ExStudents Association, the Endowed Insurance Program, the Loyalty Fund, and the Building Expansion Project. A very dedicated citizen, Mr. Herd has served on numerous civic committees in the Tyler, Texas, area as well as on the board of directors for the Tyler Museum of Art; the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler; the University of Texas at Tyler Educational Foundation; the East Texas Hospital Foundation; United Way of Tyler; and Interfirst Bank of Tyler, NA. Mr. Herd belongs to a variety of organizations, including Marvin United Methodist Church, the East Texas Symphony Association, the Tyler Museum of Art, the Tyler Petroleum Club, Hollytree Country Club, La Costa Country Club, and Garden of the Gods Country Club. He also is past president of the Willow Brook Country Club.

He is married to Mrs. Pat Herd and they have five children, Rod, Jeff, Greg, Kelli, and Staci.

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Contact

Alex Yack
Alex.Yack@ttu.edu
Senior Director of Development
806.742.2802

Matt Williams
matt.williams@ttu.edu
Associate Director of Development
806.742.2802

Tanner Rex
tanner.rex@ttu.edu
Assistant Director of Development
806.742.2802