The Fortunate 500: Business and high-tech stars

People who put the ka-ching in the Austin business and high-tech social scenes

By Dale Rice
May 12, 2005

Photo by Matt Rourke/AA-S PERRY LORENZ business/politics/charity/education
THE FORTUNATE 500
All stars	Art stars
Music stars	Education/Charity stars
Food stars	Literary/Media stars
Heritage stars	Film stars
Business/High Tech stars	Politics/Law stars
Sports stars	Fashion stars
Part-time Austinites

Perry Lorenz might attend a host of area activities, but he doesn't see himself as a mover in Austin's social and charitable circles.

Lorenz, a developer of residential projects downtown and in East Austin, instead emphasizes his involvement in city issues.

The current chair of the City of Austin Downtown Commission, he has served on the city's Design Commission for 14 years, is on the board of the Hill Country Conservancy and was founding president of the West End Alliance, a coalition of business, property owner and neighborhood groups involved in development of the west side of downtown Austin.

Lorenz has been involved in such projects as the Nokonah, the luxury high-rise at Ninth Street and North Lamar Boulevard, and the Pedernales Lofts at the far end of East Sixth Street.

"The things that are particularly interesting to me are all about downtown and giving our downtown a first-class residential and pedestrian component," Lorenz says.

Thus, he says, "Most of the things I'm involved in are civic or political. While I'm an easy touch for a lot of charitable and social efforts, I don't consider myself any kind of leader in that area.

"I'm certainly on everybody's hit list, I'll tell you that," he laughs, "and I have been known to contribute to worthwhile causes."

How does Lorenz find time in his busy business life for civic and other activities?

"I have children who have grown up and no longer live at home. That leaves a big hole in terms of your life."

Lorenz, who also is a trustee of St. Stephen's Episcopal School, believes in the causes he supports and is determined to be as effective as possible, which means fitting those important activities into his schedule.

"I make the time to do it," he says.

More business & high-tech stars

Susan and Michael Dell business/charity/fashion/arts/poltiics
Karen Fabbio and Rick Hawkins business/charity
Gay Gaddis business/charity
Reagan and Billy Gammon business/politics/ charity/literary
Jeff Garvey business/charity
Tom Green business/law/arts
Tim Hendricks business/food/charity
Joe Holt business/charity
Gail and Bob Hughes business/charity
Kenneth Jastrow business/education
Gail and Jeff Kodosky business/arts/charity
Cindy and Greg Kozmetsky business/charity
Alexa Lange and Blaine Wesner business/charity
John Mackey business/food/charity
Mike Maples Sr. business/charity
Don Martin business/politics/media
Mary Pat Nourzad business/charity/media
Steve Papermaster business/politics/charity/arts
Beverly Reeves and Neil Iscoe business/charity/education
Vicky Roan business/charity
Hector Ruiz business/charity
Jeff Sandefer business/charity
Roy Spence business/politics
Tom Stacy business/politics/charity
Rusty Tally business/arts/charity
Jennifer Vickers and Lee Walker business/politics
Neal Webber business/charity
Isabel and Dave Welland business/charity