The origins of the Economic Club of Texas trace back to March 2021, when Charles “Chuck” Murphy convened a small group of like-minded fund managers for an informal gathering in Westlake, Austin. What began as a periodic happy hour quickly evolved: between June 2021 and June 2022, attendance at the quarterly meetings expanded from a handful of investors to roughly fifty regular participants, supported by a growing distribution list of professionals across the Texas investment community.
From June 2022 through June 2024, the group formalized under the name The Austin Exchange, transitioning from casual meet-ups to organized events requiring dedicated venues and advance reservations. In June 2024, members overwhelmingly endorsed a dues-based model to preserve the independence and integrity of the organization, and the first website was launched, featuring a member directory, online community forum, and integrated dues payment.
The Austin Exchange hosted its inaugural Distinguished Speaker Series in May 2025, featuring Gerard O’Reilly, Co-CEO and CIO of Dimensional Fund Advisors, and David Veal, CIO of the Employees Retirement System of Texas. Shortly thereafter, in June 2025, the organization expanded beyond Austin by hosting its first event in Dallas and adopting the name Economic Club of Texas to reflect its broader mandate.
In September 2025, Kullen Kifer was appointed the Club’s first Chief Executive Officer and Chuck Murphy became Chairman. This marked the beginning of a comprehensive technology and professionalization initiative designed to position the Economic Club of Texas as the premier convening platform for the state’s investment and financial leadership.
Charles "Chuck" Murphy