$12.5 million lead gift from Chuck and Nancy Davidson helps make concert hall renovation a reality

Jones Hall, a beloved performing arts venue in Huston is undergoing a extensive renovation to modernize the facility and enhance the experience for patrons and performers alike.

Lead donors, Chuck and Nancy Davidson contributed a $12.5 million lead gift to the modernization of one of the most beloved art venues in the world.

Partners in life since they met during their UT Dallas student days, Charles (Chuck) and Nancy Davidson are also partners in giving.

Initially, their teamwork enabled Mr. Davidson’s career to thrive as the two relocated around Texas and to Alaska and home again.

In time, his advancement in the energy industry allowed them to give back from a life he has described as “richly rewarded.”

Chuck Davidson met Nancy Gundy through friends. Both graduated from the School of Management in 1980, he with an MS in management and administrative sciences and she with a BS in business and public administration. Their relocations for work began after they married in 1981. He held various engineering, operations and executive positions at Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO). Part of an executive team that started Vastar Resources in 1994, Mr. Davidson served as chairman, president and CEO of that Houston-based concern.

In 2000, he joined Noble Energy Inc., an independent crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company also headquartered in Houston. He served as chairman and CEO.

An industry activist, Mr. Davidson served as chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America’s Offshore Committee and sits on the boards of the Gas Technology Institute and the Offshore Energy Center. He also served on the UT Dallas Development Board. Along with his wife, Mr. Davidson also backs diverse civic causes.

Mrs. Davidson turned to family, community and volunteerism after one move that coincided with the adoption of their son.

Prior to that, she had worked as a CPA and taught accounting at The University of Texas at Tyler.

Currently Chuck is a Venture Partner at Quantum Energy Partners, a private equity firm specializing in energy-related investments.