Robert, a native of Dallas Texas, followed his father and grandfather into construction machinery distribution. He built a group of franchised locations across Texas and New Mexico selling and servicing multiple brands of large equipment including paving, drilling, earth-moving, and rock-crushing machinery. Robert is a graduate of Colorado School of Mines and the SMU Cox Graduate Business School. He currently serves as a mentor to MBA candidates at the Cox School, and as a director of M.D. Anderson Hospital and Hilltop Holdings, an NYSE multibank holding company (HTH).  Robert has been active in many organizations including the Young Presidents Organization.           

Robert’s wife Beverly Brandon Nichols is a native of Myrtle Beach, SC, and operates her own home construction business with multiple projects in Aspen, Pebble Beach, and New York. Beverly is active in the Garden Club of America and Brookgreen Gardens. Robert has four children and is a frequent golfer. He enjoys a wide circle of friends and is known for his outgoing personality.