Energy Transfer Executive Chairman Kelcy Warren has been honored with two prestigious accolades, cementing his status as a prominent figure in both business and philanthropy circles in Dallas. Warren was recently named “Dallas Philanthropist of the Year” by the Dallas Association of Fundraising Professionals for 2024 and was also featured in the 10th anniversary edition of D CEO’s Dallas 500, which profiles the most influential leaders in North Texas.
Distinguished Philanthropic Recognition
The AFP Outstanding Philanthropist award recognizes individuals with a proven record of exceptional generosity who have demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility. Recipients are selected based on their direct financial support, the impact of their contributions, their ability to motivate others to take philanthropic leadership roles, and their support of innovative approaches to addressing community challenges.
Warren’s philanthropic portfolio includes substantial contributions to numerous causes across Dallas and beyond. Among his most notable gifts was the $10 million donation in 2012 that helped create Klyde Warren Park, a 5.2-acre green space that reconnects Dallas’s uptown and downtown areas. In 2019, he provided an additional $20 million to expand the park and enhance its free public programs.
In 2023, Warren made history with the largest single donation to his alma mater, the University of Texas-Arlington, gifting $12 million to help elevate UTA’s resource and energy engineering program. This transformational gift builds upon his previous support of the university, which includes establishing a graduate student fellowship to honor his former professor and mentor.
Warren regularly supports numerous educational institutions, medical organizations, and children’s initiatives, including the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, and the March of Dimes. Through Energy Transfer’s partnership with the MLB’s Texas Rangers, he has also been a strong supporter of the West Dallas Youth Academy since 2018.
Business Leadership Celebrated
In addition to his philanthropic recognition, Warren was featured in the landmark 10th-anniversary edition of D CEO’s Dallas 500, which showcases the region’s most powerful and influential business leaders. The 2025 edition highlights 52 individuals who have made the list every year for the past decade, marking them with an exclusive 10-year badge of recognition.
Under Warren’s leadership, Energy Transfer has grown from a small intrastate natural gas pipeline operator to one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in the United States. The company now operates nearly 125,000 miles of pipeline and associated energy infrastructure spanning 44 states, transporting approximately one-third of the country’s natural gas and crude oil.
Warren co-founded Energy Transfer in 1996 and has guided the company through strategic acquisitions and expansion projects. His engineering background and industry insight have been instrumental in repurposing existing infrastructure to meet changing market demands, positioning Energy Transfer as a leader in the midstream energy sector.
Energy Transfer’s recent merger with Crestwood Equity Partners for $7.1 billion further strengthened its position in key production basins. The company also completed the acquisition of WTG Midstream Holdings LLC, enhancing its access to natural gas and natural gas liquids in the Permian Basin.
Warren’s dual recognition in both business and philanthropy reflects his significant impact on Dallas and the broader community. His commitment to giving back while building one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in the nation demonstrates how corporate success can be leveraged to create positive community impact. Through his leadership at Energy Transfer and his generous philanthropic contributions, Warren continues to shape both the energy landscape and communities across Texas.