Dallas and Temple, Texas – Ross McKnight, a distinguished and recognized banker, rancher, oilman and philanthropist is now chair of the Baylor Scott & White Holdings Board of Trustees as of July 1, 2018. McKnight follows Jim L. Turner, who recently completed his three-year term as chair.
McKnight, first appointed to the Baylor Scott & White Holdings Board of Trustees upon its formation in 2013, most recently served as chair of the finance and investment committee. He served on the Scott & White Healthcare Board of Trustees for 11 years prior to the merger with Baylor Health Care System. He was past chair of the investment committee, and past chair of the board of the Scott & White Foundation.
"Ross has been invaluable in supporting Baylor Scott & White's transformation, both as a combined organization and as we evolve to meet the needs of our patients and members," said Jim Turner, immediate past chair. "He is the perfect person to build on our success."
McKnight received his bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University in 1971. In 1996, McKnight received the OSU Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award, and in 1998 was selected the Graduate of Distinction by the OSU Department of Animal Science and subsequently, the College of Agriculture. He was inducted into the OSU Alumni Hall of Fame in 2006. McKnight has chaired or co-chaired two of the three major philanthropic campaigns at OSU, including the Stadium Campaign where $360 million was raised to rebuild what is now known as Boone Pickens Stadium, and in 2010 he co-chaired with his wife, Billie, the $1 billion "Branding Success" campaign for Oklahoma State University, which raised a total in excess of $1.2 billion. He and Billie established and endowed the $10 million McKnight Scholarship program for rural youth attending OSU. In 2015, the McKnights gave $25 million to endow performances at the new $72 million McKnight Center for the Performing Arts at Oklahoma State University. In 2016, the McKnights received the Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award from Oklahoma State University. This is the highest award given by OSU and the first given in 14 years.
McKnight has grown his ranching and agriculture enterprise to its current 57,000 acres, plus ownership of two cattle feed yards in the Texas Panhandle. McKnight is CEO of RoMac Gas Company, a natural gas gathering system, and RoMac Oil Company, an oil and gas exploration and production company. McKnight is chairman of the board and majority shareholder of a closely held bank holding company, Olney BancShares of Texas, which owns InterBank, a $3.5 billion bank serving 43 communities in Texas and Oklahoma.
"It is an honor to continue my service to Baylor Scott & White in this new role, working alongside a group of distinguished colleagues to provide oversight to the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas during this time of unprecedented change in healthcare," said McKnight.
The McKnights currently reside in Throckmorton, Texas, where he was born and reared.
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White is empowering customers to live well by reimagining traditional healthcare — creating more convenient, personalized and informed experiences. It serves more than three million customers through 53 hospitals, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple; the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute; 1,300+ access points; 59,000+ team members; and its leading digital platform — MyBSWHealth. The system's award-winning employer solutions include Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and Levanto — a company offering digitally enabled health products. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White's mission is to promote the health and well-being of all individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
