Name: Mort Meyerson
Company: 2M Cos.
Title: Chair
After a few years at Bell Helicopter, Mort Meyerson joined Electronic Data Systems in 1966 as a systems engineer trainee. Over a 13-year period, he worked his way up to become president of H. Ross Perot’s company. Five years later, General Motors acquired the business for $2.5 billion. Not long after that, Meyerson retired, having made himself—and numerous EDS employees—rich. Between 1986 and 1992, Meyerson invested with the likes of Richard Rainwater and coached Michael Dell in the early years of Dell Computer. He ran another technology services company, Perot Systems, between 1992 and 1998.
The Fort Worth native currently chairs 2M Cos., his family-owned investment firm. He and his family are firm believers in “Tzedakah,” the Hebrew word for the just and righteous giving required of Jews. They pursue Tzedakah projects through The David Nathan Meyerson Foundation, which honors Meyerson’s son, who died in 1998.
What do you enjoy most about what you do? I enjoy dealing with smart dedicated people doing work that will do good by doing well.
What’s the toughest challenge you’ve had to overcome? Being a liberal arts/musical-type UT grad and working as a systems engineer
What’s your proudest moment? Any indication that my family is kind, considerate, and has high ethical values.
What’s the best business advice you can offer? Be open to failure; it can be your friend if you learn from it.
What has you most excited about the future? Expanding the David Nathan Meyerson Foundation
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)? I am a pilot and a scuba diver.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas at Austin
Name one item on your bucket list: To study in Israel and India
What’s your beverage of choice? Water
What kind of car do you drive? 2007 Yukon
What’s your hobby/passion? I have no hobbies. My passion is finding great people who make a difference in the world.
What’s your favorite travel destination? I have too many to list.
The Dallas 500 is a special edition that profiles the most powerful leaders in North Texas. Produced by the editors of D CEO, it features top influencers in more than 60 categories, from aviation and banking to energy and technology. For more information, and to suggest individuals or categories to include in 2017, visit www.Dallas500.com.
