Sterling Varner

Sterling Varner was a former president and vice chairman of Koch Industries who served at the company for over four decades. He joined the organization in 1946 when Fred Koch purchased the Rock Island refinery in Duncan, Oklahoma, and was elected to the board of directors in 1967. Varner was named president of Koch Industries in 1974, a role he held until 1987 when he became vice chairman, and he remained on the board until his death. He was widely credited with supplying the business savvy behind Koch Industries' rapid expansion, particularly through his shrewd acquisition of bankrupt or unwanted oil and gas properties. Sterling Varner passed away at the age of 89.