56th Business Hall of Fame
The 56th Business Hall of Fame is brought to you by Texas Wesleyan University, the Fort Worth Chamber and the Fort Worth Report. The Business Hall of Fame began in 1970 and has been honoring businessmen and women of Fort Worth ever since. In 1988, the scholarship component was added to award outstanding business students from the Texas Wesleyan School of Business.
The 2026 Business Executives of the Year are Laura & Greg Bird. Laura is the President of Anthracite Realty Partners. Greg is CEO, Co-Founder, and owner of Jetta Operating Company.
Laura & Greg Bird named 2026 Business Executives of the Year
Laura and Greg Bird have built successful careers by combining entrepreneurial thinking, strong leadership, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the Fort Worth community. Over the years, they have earned the respect of colleagues and peers not only for their business accomplishments, but also for their generous support of organizations and initiatives that strengthen the city they proudly call home.
Laura serves as president of Anthracite Realty Partners and brings more than 40 years of experience in development and construction. Her career has spanned retail, residential, education, nonprofit, healthcare, public facilities, high-rise developments, and tenant improvement projects. Beginning her career in construction field operations while completing her education, Laura developed the practical knowledge that continues to shape her leadership today. She has built a reputation for bringing together talented teams to create spaces that are both functional and inspiring, with three projects she helped lead receiving prestigious American Institute of Architects awards.
Greg is CEO, co-founder and owner of Jetta Operating Company, where he has served as president for more than 35 years. With more than four decades of experience in the energy industry, he has guided Jetta's growth into a successful independent oil and gas producer operating throughout the southern United States. Under Greg's leadership, the company expanded alongside the rise of horizontal drilling in the Delaware Basin, positioning Jetta as a leader in exploration, production and the gathering of oil and natural gas. His strategic approach and ability to recognize opportunities have allowed the company to grow while adapting to an ever-changing industry.
As their businesses continued to grow, Laura and Greg saw an opportunity to invest in downtown Fort Worth in a way that reflected their confidence in the city's future. Together, they developed Frost Tower, the iconic 25-story office building completed in 2018 that now serves as a defining part of the city's skyline. Anchored by longtime banking partner Frost Bank, the project represents both their entrepreneurial vision and their belief in the continued growth of Fort Worth. Today, through Anthracite Holdings, the Bird family continues to invest in a diverse portfolio of private and public companies across technology, next-generation energy, healthcare, commodities, and environmental services.
Business success has always gone hand in hand with giving back. Through the Bird Family Foundation, Laura and Greg support organizations focused on health, wellness, education, nature, and improving the quality of life throughout North Texas. Laura has dedicated her time and expertise to numerous organizations, including Jewel Charity, Cook Children's Medical Center, Texas Health Fort Worth Philanthropy Cabinet, Alliance for Children, Fort Worth Country Day, the Fort Worth Club, the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership, and Frost Bank's Fort Worth Advisory Board, among others. Greg has served as president of Scouting America's Longhorn Council and BRIT, the organization that manages the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, and currently serves as president of the Longhorn Council Property Foundation.
Their leadership and generosity have earned widespread recognition. In 2022, Laura and Greg received the Distinguished Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals in honor of their commitment to charitable giving and community leadership. Greg was also named a Southwest Region finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and was inducted into the Texas A&M University Petroleum Engineering Academy of Distinguished Graduates. In addition, he has received numerous honors from Scouting America, including the Distinguished Citizen Award.
Laura earned a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction (Construction Science) from Texas A&M University's College of Architecture. Greg earned a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University. They are the proud parents of two grown children and grandparents to seven grandchildren. Whether spending time with family, traveling, exploring new ideas, or supporting causes that make a lasting difference, Laura and Greg continue to invest in the people and community that have been at the heart of their lives and careers.
This event supports the Thomas H. Law Scholarship program, which benefits business students at Texas Wesleyan University