Bill Perkins is a prominent hedge fund manager and energy trader, widely recognized for his expertise in the financial sector.
He is also a film producer and high-stakes poker player, known for his adventurous lifestyle and public presence.
Bill Perkins is married to Lara Sebastian and has two daughters from his previous marriage to Stephanie Park.
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Who is Bill Perkins?
Bill Perkins whose real name is William O. Perkins III is the Founder, Managing Partner, and Head Trader at Skylar Capital, where he uses his 20 years of experience in energy trading to make smart moves in the natural gas market.
He also trades in crude oil, power, and other energy areas.
Before starting Skylar Capital, he worked at Centaurus Energy, and earlier at companies like El Paso Energy, Statoil, AIG Energy Trading, and Zahr Securities.
In addition to his trading work, he is the founder and president of Small Ventures USA, LP, a private equity and venture capital firm based in Houston.
He also runs SkyFi, a company providing Earth observation data, and SynMax, which uses satellite images to track oil and gas assets and provide maritime information.
Since 2009, he has been involved in movie production and published his first book, Die with Zero, in 2020.
The book offers advice on living a fulfilling life and spending money wisely. He is also active in philanthropy.
After the hurricanes in the Virgin Islands in 2017, he helped by providing supplies and rescuing people.
He supports various charities, including the International Rescue Committee, Race to Erase MS, and the Dave Thomas Foundation.
Besides his financial and philanthropic work, he is known for playing high-stakes poker and has a reputation for being an exciting and daring player.
He enjoys sharing his experiences and philosophies on social media, promoting making the most of life and experiences.
Early Life of Bill Perkins
Bill Perkins was born on February 2, 1969, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He grew up in a working-class family.
His father, Bill Perkins (William Osborne Perkins II), was a criminal defense lawyer, and politician, and also played football for the New York Jets.
His mother was a schoolteacher. Bill uncle, Don Perkins, was also a football player. These family influences, along with his parents’ hard work, shaped his views on life and work.
He went to St. Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City and then attended the University of Iowa, where he got a degree in electrical engineering.
Although he started as a football player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, he decided to quit before his senior year to focus on graduating.
He was not very interested in being an engineer and had already begun to shift his focus towards finance.
After college, he started his career in energy trading at El Paso Energy. This experience set him up for success in the world of hedge funds and energy trading.
He eventually founded his own hedge fund, Skylar Capital, which specializes in natural gas trading.
His early life, education, and family experiences influenced his career and philosophy on life.
He now focuses on making the most of his opportunities and living life fully, which includes not just financial success but also adventures and giving back through philanthropy.
Bill Perkins Age
Bill Perkins is 55 years old as of 2024 as he was born on February 2, 1969, in Jersey City, New Jersey.
At 55, he remains an important person in finance, recognized for his knowledge, involvement in different industries, and active lifestyle.
Professional Career
Bill Perkins has had a diverse and successful career that spans hedge fund management, energy trading, film production, and professional poker.
Here is a detailed overview:
Hedge Fund Management and Energy Trading
Bill Perkins began his career in the energy sector, initially working at El Paso Energy, where he gained valuable experience in energy trading.
He later worked at AIG Trading, where he further honed his skills in the field.
His expertise in the energy markets, particularly in natural gas, led him to become a prominent figure in the industry.
In the early 2000s, he co-founded Centaurus Energy with John Arnold, a legendary energy trader.
Centaurus Energy was a highly successful hedge fund specializing in natural gas trading.
The firm gained a reputation for its aggressive and highly profitable trading strategies.
After leaving Centaurus, he founded his own hedge fund, Skylar Capital, in 2012.
Skylar Capital focuses on energy trading, with a particular emphasis on natural gas.
Under his leadership, the firm has continued to be a significant player in the energy markets.
Film Production
In addition to his financial career, Bill Perkins has ventured into film production.
He has served as a producer and executive producer for several films, including:
After Life (2009): A psychological horror film starring Christina Ricci and Liam Neeson.
Unthinkable (2010): A thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson, explores the ethics of torture in the context of national security.
His involvement in the film industry reflects his interest in creative storytelling and his willingness to explore different avenues beyond finance.
Poker
Bill Perkins is also a well-known figure in the world of high-stakes poker.
He began playing poker as a recreational activity but quickly became recognized for his fearless and aggressive playing style.
He has participated in numerous high-stakes tournaments and cash games, both live and online.
Perkin has appeared on popular poker shows like High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark.
While he is not a professional poker player, his love for the game and his willingness to take risks have made him a notable personality in the poker community.
Authorship
Bill Perkins published his book Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life in 2020.
The book presents his philosophy on living a fulfilled life by maximizing experiences rather than merely accumulating wealth.
It encourages readers to think differently about money, time, and the pursuit of happiness, advocating for spending money on experiences that bring joy and fulfillment rather than saving excessively for the future.
Philanthropy
Bill Perkins is also known for his philanthropic efforts.
He has supported various charitable causes, particularly those focused on education and health.
His philanthropic philosophy aligns with his broader life philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of making a positive impact and enjoying life to the fullest.
His career is marked by success in various fields, from hedge fund management and energy trading to film production and poker.
Books
Bill Perkins wrote a book called Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life.
Published in 2020, the book advises on living a happy life by spending money smartly to enjoy experiences, rather than just saving up wealth.
In Die with Zero, he explains how to balance managing your money with enjoying life’s moments.
He encourages readers to think about how to make the most of their time and resources.
The book shows his belief in finding both financial success and meaningful experiences.
Movies
Bill Perkins has been involved in producing movies since 2009. Some of the films he has worked on include:
- Cat Run
- Unthinkable
- After Life
- The Baytown Outlaws
- Cat Run 2
- The Joneses
- Fit to Kill
- Frank and Cindy
- The Chameleon
- King of the Dancehall
- Roseanne for President!
- Code Name: Geronimo
How did Bill Perkins Get His Money?
Bill Perkins made his money primarily through hedge fund management and energy trading.
He started his career at companies like El Paso Energy and AIG Trading, where he became an expert in energy markets, especially natural gas.
He then co-founded Centaurus Energy with John Arnold, a successful hedge fund that focused on natural gas trading.
Centaurus Energy made a lot of money by capitalizing on changes in energy prices, which helped Bill build his wealth.
After leaving Centaurus Energy, he founded his own hedge fund, Skylar Capital, in 2012.
Skylar Capital also focuses on energy trading, particularly natural gas, and has been very successful under his leadership.
In addition to his hedge fund work, he has earned money from producing films, though this is a smaller part of his wealth.
He has also won money from high-stakes poker games and tournaments, where his aggressive style has earned him a reputation.
Overall, his main source of wealth comes from his expertise in energy trading and hedge fund management.
Bill Perkins Net Worth
Bill Perkins has an estimated net worth of $500 million as of 2024.
His net worth reflects his success in these ventures, along with his activities in poker, film production, and other investments.
He lives a luxurious lifestyle with a beautiful house and fancy cars.
Who is Bill Perkins Wife?
Bill Perkins is married to Lara Sebastian.
Lara is active on social media and shares details about their life together.
The couple often posts about their travels and adventures, and they are known for their active lifestyle.
Before marrying Lara, Bill was married to Stephanie Park, and they have children together. Their marriage ended in divorce.
Although Bill Perkins is open about his career and personal philosophy, he keeps his marriage and family life relatively private.
How Old is Bill Perkins Wife?
Bill Perkins wife Lara Sebastian is 35 years old. She was born on April 15, 1989.
Lara is well-known for her active presence on social media, where she shares glimpses of her life with Bill, including their travels and adventures.
She enjoys connecting with her followers by posting about their experiences and lifestyle.
Does Bill Perkins have Kids?
Yes, Bill Perkins has two daughters from his first marriage to Stephanie Park.
He often shares glimpses of his time with them on social media, but he keeps their details private to respect their privacy.
His daughters sometimes appear in his posts, especially during family activities, travels, and special moments.
He values his role as a father and emphasizes the importance of spending quality time with his family, reflecting his life philosophy.
Details about his daughters, like their names or ages, are not widely known, as Bill prefers to keep that aspect of his life out of the public eye.
Social Media Presence
Bill Perkins is active on social media and uses Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to share parts of his life.
On Instagram, he posts about his travels, high-stakes poker games, charity work, and family moments.
His feed shows his adventurous and luxurious lifestyle, matching his belief in making the most of life’s experiences.
On Twitter, he shares his thoughts on finance, poker, and personal growth. He also talks about current events and engages with his followers.
On LinkedIn, he connects with professionals in finance and energy. His profile highlights his work in hedge fund management and energy trading.
Overall, his social media mixes personal stories, professional updates, and motivational content, reflecting his active and varied life.
Conclusion
Bill Perkins is a successful hedge fund manager and energy trader known for his work with Centaurus Energy and Skylar Capital.
He shares his adventurous lifestyle and personal philosophy through social media, where he posts about his travels, poker games, and family.
He continues to be an influential figure, balancing financial success with a focus on meaningful experiences.
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