Q&A: Get to know donor Billy Hibbs Jr.
April 21, 2020
Q&A: Donor Spotlight
Get to know Billy Hibbs Jr.
Publication Date: 04/21/2020
Most students on the UT Tyler campus know the name Hibbs from the Hibbs Institute for Business and Economic Research, which is a division of the Soules College of Business.
The institute helps businesses, regional economic development councils and local governments expand business activity in greater East Texas by presenting useful business and economic data. The institute also provides professional economic research and analysis for companies and investors. The common goal is to increase economic activity and the economic success of all East Texans.
Hibbs is a well-known name on campus, but now you can get to know the person behind the name, why he gives to UT Tyler and what he hopes the future will bring.
Born and raised in Tyler, Texas, Billy Hibbs Jr. graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and Tyler Junior College before earning his BBA from UT Austin and his MBA from Southern Methodist University. After spending time in Dallas, he and his wife, Tisa, decided to make the move back to Tyler so he could join the family insurance and risk management business.
How did your relationship with UT Tyler develop?
When I returned to Tyler, my father was friends with then President George Hamm, and our firm was involved as a sponsor of the golf classic. I remember attending many fun events. But my relationship with the University really began when former President Rod Mabry became my next-door neighbor. My young son shot an errant arrow over the wall that penetrated his garage door. Dr. Mabry was very understanding and amused to watch my then 12-year-old son use a hammer, dolly, Bondo and paint to repair the hole in his garage door. Dr. Mabry, as it turns out, also enjoyed motorcycles and cars and would often drop by for a visit.
Why do you donate and get involved?
Our family business, Heartland Security Insurance Group, has over 250 employees in
a variety of disciplines related to insurance, risk management; and financial products
and services. We are constantly looking for bright young people for careers in accounting,
sales, service, loss control, administration, human resources and IT. Being a donor
to UT Tyler and staying involved enables us to have regular interactions with students
in order to promote our internship programs and tell our story.
What motivates you to stay involved?
We are very fortunate to have outstanding institutions of higher education in this
region. We have hired a number of extraordinary graduates from UT Tyler over the
years, and we certainly want to continue to consider those quality candidates.
What other organizations or causes do you support?
The Hibbs Family Foundation supports a variety of other organizations, which include global missions, education, the Arts and a multitude of not-for-profit organizations.
How did the Hibbs Institute for Business and Economic Research at UT Tyler come about, and what made you want to be a part of it?
Dr. Mabry had the idea and approached me. He was trained as an economics professor and understood the value of these institutes.
Coincidentally, I had served as an intern at the Bureau of Business Research at UT Austin in the late 1970s, so I was already familiar with the important economic work done in these organizations. I’ve often wondered if Dr. Mabry already knew that bit of intel when he approached me.
Why is business and economic research important to you? What attracted you to it?
Business decisions are not made in an information vacuum; they are usually heavily
influenced by data. We live in an information society where most of the underlying
data, in order to make economic decisions, is already available from a variety of
mostly government sources, but it’s just not easily accessible. My dream has always
been that the Hibbs Institute would play an important role in sharing with the world
the economic benefits of living in East Texas. We have a great untold story about
all of the many diverse opportunities that exist in this part of the state.
What do you hope the institute will achieve in the near future?
We are working towards the goal of the Hibbs Institute being the go-to resource for
people and businesses considering expansion in this region or relocating to it.
What does the Hibbs Institute mean to you and your family?
We are honored to have our family name associated with UT Tyler and the reputation of the University of Texas System. It has played an important role in my life.
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