Kenny A. Troutt is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder of Excel Communications (telecom) and WinStar Farm (horse breeding). Born in Centralia, Illinois, in 1948, his early life was marked by extreme hardship: his father was a bartender, and his family lived in public housing projects.

Troutt received a B.A. in Economics from Southern Illinois University in 1971 (paid for by selling life insurance to fellow students). His career began with sales, working for multiple insurance companies before founding his own company. His philosophy centers on direct sales, entrepreneurial audacity, and vertical integration in the telecom and horse racing sectors.

• Excel Communications (Founder): The former core asset, a major telecom company (sold to Teleglobe in 1998 for $3.5 billion).
• WinStar Farm (Owner): His private asset, a globally renowned Thoroughbred horse breeding and racing farm (winner of the Triple Crown).
• Early Struggles: He grew up in public housing projects and sold life insurance to pay for college.
• Direct Sales Pioneer: His success is built on mastering the direct sales and multi-level marketing (MLM) model for telecom services.

Kenny Troutt's strategic genius was his commitment to direct sales in the deregulated telecom market. He founded Excel Communications in 1988, using a multi-level marketing (MLM) structure to sell long-distance phone service directly to consumers. The company grew rapidly, becoming one of the largest long-distance phone companies in the U.S., and executed a successful IPO.

The pinnacle of his financial career was the $3.5 billion sale of Excel Communications to Teleglobe in 1998. Following the exit, Troutt focused on his second passion: horse racing. He founded WinStar Farm, which achieved global recognition, winning the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and the Triple Crown (with Justify in 2018). His wealth is secured by the colossal liquid gains from his telecom exit and the appreciating value of his horse racing assets.

Kenny Troutt's social impact is structural, stemming from Excel Communications' role in pioneering the multi-level marketing model for telecom services. His investment in WinStar Farm provides a massive structural contribution to the U.S. Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives (including the Ken and Lisa Troutt Foundation).

His career is a testament to the profitability of disciplined direct sales management and strategic acquisition in the high-stakes telecom and sports sectors.

Kenny Troutt maintains the professional, composed style of a business executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and immense corporate authority, blending his telecom background with his passion for horse racing.

Residing in Dallas, Texas, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to investment strategy, asset management, and Thoroughbred breeding excellence.