Mr. Michael L. Klein

Houston and Austin, TX
Santa Fe, NM

Michael L. Klein is engaged in independent oil and gas exploration and production in Midland. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering in 1958 and a bachelor of laws in 1963. While attending law school, he worked summers as a petroleum engineer with Continental Oil Company and later served as an attorney for the company. He divides his time between Houston, Austin, and Santa Fe. Mickey and his wife Jeanne have been involved in modern and contemporary visual arts for more than 30 years, principally by collecting and supporting museums and artists. They have also been avid supporters of the university with many interests including art, education, history, and books. Mickey, named a UT Distinguished Alumnus in 2017, serves as chair of The University of Texas Press Advisory Council. He is a member of the Longhorn Foundation, the University Development Board, the Blanton Museum of Art National Leadership Board and the UT Elementary Development Board. For over 14 years, he has visited the UT Elementary School once a week to mentor fourth and fifth grade students. Outside of the university, Mickey serves as Vice Chair for Humanities Texas and is on the board of trustees of The Contemporary Austin. He has previously served on the SITE Santa Fe board of directors, as a member of the board of trustees for the Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C.; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, Texas; the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City; the Cate School in Carpinteria, California; and as the chair of the board at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.