E. Javier Loya

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E. Javier Loya
NationalityMexican-American
Other namesJavier Loya
Alma materColumbia University[1]
Occupation(s)Chairman and CEO of OTC Global Holdings
Years active2007–present
Known forCEO of OTC Global Holdings, Minority Owner of Houston Texans
SpouseLucinda Vincent-Loya
Children2

Enrique Javier Loya[2] (born February 2, 1969) is a Mexican-American business entrepreneur, and former college football player. He is a minority owner of the NFL's Houston Texans.[3] Loya is also the co-founder of independent commodity broker OTC Global Holdings.

Education and family[edit]

Loya was raised in El Paso, Texas as the second-youngest of seven children.[4] His father worked at a Farah Manufacturing Co. plant and taught his children to prioritize education.[4] Loya graduated from New York City's Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1991.[5] Loya is married to Lucinda Vincent-Loya. The couple have 2 children.[5]

Football career[edit]

Loya played for the Columbia Lions as a linebacker and a defensive end throughout his academic career at Columbia University.[6][7] He was a varsity letterman in all three of his varsity seasons[7] and was named an Honorable Mention All-Ivy League Selection in 1990.[8] He is tied with several other players for the fourth-most career fumble recoveries while playing for the Columbia Lions.[8]

Career[edit]

Choice! Energy LP[edit]

In 1994, Loya co-founded Choice! Energy LP with two partners. Choice was an energy brokerage firm specializing in natural gas.[9][10]

In 2000, Loya purchased control of the company from his partners.[5]

After Texas deregulated the power market in 2002, Loya launched a new firm, Choice Energy Services. As the sole owner of Choice Energy Services, Loya expanded the company's services from wholesale markets to retail commodities management.[11][12]

In 2015, Loya's company, Choice Energy, filed a lawsuit against 9 of their brokers for breach of contract. The 9 brokers filed a countersuit claiming they were forced to resign due to unpaid commissions and hostile work environment. All but one broker settled out of court.[13]

Houston Texans[edit]

In 2002, Loya became the first Hispanic owner in the NFL after he purchased a minority stake in the Houston Texans.[3] Loya was one of 10 investors in the Houston Texans.[14][15][16]

During the Choice Energy lawsuit, Javier was accused of being a high-stakes gambler, which sparked an investigation from the NFL due to Javier's ownership of the Houston Texans. According to the NFL Ownership Guidelines, it is a violation for owners or employees of any NFL team to take part in any gambling.[13][17]

OTC Global Holdings[edit]

In 2007, Loya co-founded OTC Global Holdings as a commodity brokerage that initially acquired Choice Natural Gas, Choice Power, and Choice Energy. OTC Global Holdings has grown to serve over 450 institutional clients in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.[18][19][20]

Veneno Tequila[edit]

In September 2019, Loya, his wife Lucinda, and several Houston entrepreneurs launched a tequila brand called Veneno Tequila. Actor Danny Trejo was the first person to introduce and drink a bottle of Veneno Tequila.[21]

Other activities[edit]

Loya has served on the Board of Regents for Texas Southern University as well as other charitable foundations across Houston.[22][23]

Philanthropy[edit]

Loya is a sponsor and member of the board of directors for the Greater Houston Senior Football Showcase, a charitable organization that organizes high school football scouting events. The organization has provided over $100 million in scholastic aid to over 3,000 participants since 2008.[7]

In 2011, Loya founded the Greater El Paso Football Showcase Combine, which provided over $9 million in scholarships to over 100 high school senior athletes.[3][7]

Legal issues[edit]

Litigation[edit]

In late December 2019, John Klosek, one of the founding members of OTC Global Holdings, filed a lawsuit against the CEO Javier Loya, COO Joseph Kelly, and several employees. The lawsuit was over extravagant personal spending decreasing the company's value to a negative net worth.[24] Loya and the other accusees denied the allegations.[24] The claims state the defendants have embezzled over millions of dollars from OTC Global Holdings for personal use. The lawsuit was dismissed in May 2021.[25][26][27]

Sexual assault allegations[edit]

In August 2023, it was revealed to major media outlets that Loya was charged with one count of first-degree rape, five counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of third-degree sexual abuse in May 2023. According to the Texans and the National Football League, Loya has been suspended from team activities since May.[28][29]

Awards[edit]

  • In 2002, Loya received the “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award from the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.[30][31]
  • In 2004, Loya was named “Hispanic Businessman of the Year” by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
  • In 2004, Javier was also given the John Jay Award for distinguished professional achievement by his former university, Columbia University.[32][33]
  • In 2007, Javier received the “Emerging Leader” Award from the Greater Houston Partnership.[34]
  • In 2010, Javier received the “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award from Ernst & Young.
  • In 2017, Loya was honored as a distinguished graduate by the Ivy Football Association at its bi-annual dinner at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.[7][35]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Javier Loya interview from 2015 Connects in Houston". Columbia Alumni Association. August 3, 2016.
  2. ^ "The perfect combination". Smart Business. June 26, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c "Part-owner of Houston Texans still giving back to El Paso's student-athletes". KVIA ABC-7. December 14, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Robertson, Dale (May 9, 2002). "Robertson: Energetic trader Loya personifies American dream". Houston Chronicle.
  5. ^ a b c Cabral, Elena (January 2003). "FEATURES - Javier Loya '91". Columbia College.
  6. ^ "College Football; Lions Edge the Tigers With a Fierce Defense". New York Times. October 28, 1990.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Ivy Football Association Honors Javier Loya". Columbia University. January 26, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "2018 Columbia Football Record Book". NCAA. 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  9. ^ Wollam, Allison (November 24, 2002). "Building on a choice". Houston Business Journal.
  10. ^ Goodman, Leah McGrath (July 2, 2007). "Power In Energy Trading Shifts to Smaller Brokers". Wall Street Journal.
  11. ^ Martin, Joe (October 5, 2016). "Houston power co. to go on hiring spree, move headquarters". Houston Business Journal.
  12. ^ "Moneymakers: Javier Loya". Houston Chronicle. August 11, 2004.
  13. ^ a b McClain, John (February 16, 2008). "NFL Probes Allegation Against Texans Partner".
  14. ^ Wilson, Aaron (May 19, 2020). "NFL owners table proposal to incentivize hiring minorities, expand Rooney Rule". Houston Chronicle.
  15. ^ Wilson, Aaron (June 22, 2020). "Summit seeks to widen NFL opportunities for minorities". Houston Chronicle.
  16. ^ Breer, Albert (June 18, 2020). "Quarterback Coaching Summit Aims to Create Opportunity for Black NFL Coaches".
  17. ^ Abelson, Max (October 14, 2008). "What a Gas! Texas Mogul Streams $4.3 M. to Moby and Pals for Stuy Square Spread". Observer.
  18. ^ "History & Timeline". OTC Global Holdings.
  19. ^ "Bloomberg: Javier Loya Business Profile". Bloomberg.
  20. ^ "Q&A: Market volatility a way of life for commodities broker". Houston Chronicle. April 26, 2017.
  21. ^ de Luna, Marcy (December 2, 2019). "Texans vs. Patriots tailgate party doubles as tequila launch". Houston Chronicle.
  22. ^ Tresauge, Matthew (May 10, 2007). "Perry picks 5 appointees to reshape TSU". Houston Chronicle.
  23. ^ Kamara, Margaret (May 14, 2007). "Texas Southern Takes Step Back to Stability". Diverse.
  24. ^ a b "San Antonio Express News Co-Owner Sues Houston Brokerage". San Antonio Express-News. December 19, 2019.
  25. ^ Bair, Jeffrey (December 17, 2019). "CEO's $17,000 Birthday Party Spurs Commodity Brokerage Lawsuit". Bloomberg News.
  26. ^ "Partner sues commodities broker for clocking up expenses". Financial Times. December 18, 2019.
  27. ^ "Loya V Klosek Cause No 2019-88391 Signed Order Joint Nonsuit and Dismissing W Prejeudice | PDF". Scribd. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  28. ^ Breech, John. "Texans minority owner facing one rape charge and multiple sexual abuse charges following incident in Kentucky". CBS Sports. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  29. ^ Rieken, Kristie. "Texans minority owner Javier Loya is facing rape charge in Kentucky". Associated Press. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  30. ^ Kaplan, David (September 28, 2002). "Hispanic male entrepreneur of the year says system works". Houston Chronicle.
  31. ^ "Hispanic Chamber to host reception for CHOICE! Energy's Javier Loya". The Monitor. October 26, 2003.
  32. ^ "JOHN JAY AWARDS". Columbia University Alumni Association. 14 December 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  33. ^ Palladino, Lisa. "John Jay Awards To Honor Alumni, Parent". Columbia College Today. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  34. ^ "DeBakey honored as one of 'Houston's Greatest'". Houston Chronicle. December 12, 2007.
  35. ^ "Robert W. Pangia '73 To Be Honored By Ivy Football Association". Brown University Athletics. September 9, 2016.

External links[edit]

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