Raised on a large-scale grain and beef cattle farm in Indiana, Robert Hodgen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science from OSU in 1997, followed by an MBA in finance and management from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2003.

 

Hodgen is currently the chief executive officer of King Ranch Inc., a family-owned and privately held agribusiness, real estate, energy and natural resource management company with diversified operations in Texas, Florida and California. Since 1853, King Ranch has prioritized habitat conservation and land stewardship as a core tenet of the family legacy. The ranch began with cattle and has expanded into various forms of crop farming, turfgrass production, machinery dealerships, luxury retail goods and recreational hunting.

 

Under his guidance, King Ranch continues to embrace cutting-edge practices while respecting its heritage, a testament to Hodgen’s innovative spirit and understanding of the industry’s evolution.  His capabilities are built from a career of various leadership and investment management roles, first with Cargill, then J.D. Heiskell & Co. and, most recently, with AMERRA Capital Management.

 

Throughout his career, Hodgen has returned to the OSU campus to network with current students, sharing knowledge and experiences that inspire students. In 2024, Hodgen was a special guest during a Dean’s Dialogue event with Lusk, discussing the future of the agricultural industry through land stewardship and data-driven solutions.

 

In addition, Hodgen and his wife, Kari, partnered with family to name a graduate workstation in the new Agricultural Hall in honor of his parents, Abe and Shirley Hodgen. The couple also supports the Purebred Beef Center, animal science judging teams and other OSU Agriculture fundraising initiatives and often attends events such as the Wine Forum of Oklahoma and OSU Animal Science Alumni Association Gala.