Jeffery 'Jeff' Hildebrand is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and Chairman of Hilcorp Energy Company, a major privately held oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) company. Born in Texas in 1959, his father was a veterinarian.

Hildebrand received a rigorous education: a B.S. in Geology (1981) and an M.S. in Petroleum Engineering (1985), both from the University of Texas at Austin. His career began with hands-on experience as a geologist at Exxon, where he quickly recognized the immense opportunity in re-managing underperforming assets of other companies—the core of his strategy.

• Hilcorp Energy Company (Founder & Chairman): The core private asset, a major oil and gas E&P company known for acquiring and revitalizing underperforming assets. The company gave all 1,380 employees a $100,000 Christmas bonus in 2015.
• Energy Focus: His success is attributed to his ability to recognize other companies' underperforming assets and subsequently re-manage them for profit.
• Academic Background: He holds a B.S. in Geology and an M.S. in Petroleum Engineering from University of Texas at Austin.
• Controversy: The company has the highest greenhouse gas emissions of any U.S. oil and gas company (2020 estimate).

Jeffery Hildebrand co-founded Hilcorp Energy Company in 1990, later buying out his partner for $500 million in 2003. His strategic genius was acquiring oil and gas fields that others considered mature or difficult, applying his engineering expertise to revitalize production and drive down costs. His commitment to employee empowerment is legendary: Hilcorp has been ranked on Fortune Magazine's '100 Best Companies to Work For' list multiple times, famously giving all 1,380 employees a $100,000 Christmas bonus in December 2015.

He stepped down as CEO in 2018, remaining Chairman. He is a major Republican political donor and a significant patron of geosystems engineering at the University of Texas at Austin (donating $25 million). His wife, Melinda Hildebrand, was nominated by President Trump to be U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica in 2025. His wealth is tied to the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of U.S. oil and gas exploration.

Jeffery Hildebrand's social impact is structural, stemming from Hilcorp's role in maximizing U.S. oil and gas production and its legendary employee welfare practices (the $100,000 bonuses). His structural contribution to geosystems engineering is massive: his $25 million donation to the University of Texas at Austin funds the naming of the department.

His personal philanthropy supports various Christian organizations, the Houston Zoo, and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. His political funding strongly supports Republican and conservative causes in Texas and nationally.

Jeffery Hildebrand maintains the professional, rugged style of a Texas oil executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects his geology background, employee focus, and passion for polo.

Residing in Houston, Texas, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to energy exploration, asset revitalization, and his commitment to Texas civic life and philanthropy.