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Billionaire Elon Musk reveals move to Texas as Tesla factory gets underway

Elon Musk would the richest Texan, eclipsing Walmart heir Alice Walton by more than $70 billion.

Texas apparently has gained a billionaire whose wealth will put him atop the state’s hierarchy of rich folks. Earlier this year, billionaire Elon Musk dangled the prospect of relocating the headquarters of his Tesla electric-vehicle manufacturing company to Texas. Now, he’s revealed that he has moved to Texas himself.

According to CNN, Musk announced his move from California to Texas during The Wall Street Journal's CEO Council annual summit on Tuesday, December 8. "Musk told the paper's Editor in Chief, Matt Murray, that while 'there's a lot of things that are really great about California,' he believes the state is taking its success for granted," CNN says.

Several unnamed “close friends and associates” had been telling CNBC that Musk planned to move to Texas from California. It's not clear where Musk has landed in the Lone Star State, but it’s safe to say that Austin would be a prime candidate given his strong ties to the city.

Musk already spends a lot of time in Austin, where Tesla is building a $1.1 billion auto manufacturing plant and where his tunnel startup, Boring Co., recently set up operations. Meanwhile, Musk’s SpaceX aerospace company maintains a launch facility on the Texas Gulf Coast.

As of December 7, Forbes estimated Musk’s net worth around $140 billion, placing him at No. 3 among the world’s wealthiest people. If he were to move to Texas, it would make him the state’s richest resident, far eclipsing Walmart heir Alice Walton of Fort Worth, whose net worth was estimated at nearly $69 billion as of the same date.

“California, often condemned by the super rich for its high tax rates and stiff regulations, has seen an exodus of notable tech names during the pandemic as companies look to cut costs and prepare for a future of distributed work,” CNBC points out. “Musk has been among the loudest critics this year, comparing the state to a championship sports team that’s become complacent and developed a ‘winning-for-too-long problem.’”

Texas is seen as more pro-business than California and, for folks like Musk, is a haven from state income taxes.

In May, Musk tweeted that he planned to move Tesla’s headquarters and future development from California to Texas and Nevada in response a local pandemic lockdown affecting Tesla’s factor in Fremont, California. For now, Tesla’s headquarters remains in Northern California, but the company did reveal in July that it would build a so-called Gigafactory just outside Austin to produce its Cybertruck pickup truck and Model Y SUV.

Around the time of the Gigafactory announcement, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on CNBC’s Squawk Box that Musk told him he’d gotten a Texas driver’s license and is a “bona fide Texan now.”

The eccentric entrepreneur recently put four Southern California homes on the market, according to the Bloomberg news service. In May, Musk elaborated in an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan — who himself recently fled Southern California for Austin — on his pledge to sell nearly all of his physical possessions, including his homes.

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RIP Kelly

Beloved Dallas public relations maven Kelly Hunter dies at 58

Photo courtesy of Sunwest PR.

Kelly Hunter passed away on June 12.

A beloved Dallas media figure has died: Kelly Hunter, a public relations maven who helped restaurants and other small businesses thrive, passed away on June 12, following a brief illness; she was 58.

Hunter spent 35 years in the field of public relations, first at Shiroma Southwest, then at Sunwest Communications, where she served as Vice President, Lifestyle, Hospitality & Tech.

She played a key role in a creative alliance with the City of Addison, particularly its annual Kaboom Town 4th of July event. Other notable clients she promoted over the years include Galleria Dallas; the Statler Dallas hotel in downtown Dallas; Hotel Dax, the Statler sibling that recently opened in Addison; and the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field.

A statement from Sunwest said that "Kelly’s unparalleled work ethic and encyclopedic knowledge of countless subjects were exceeded only by the passion she had for her job. She made an incredible impact on all she met. Kelly was a good friend, a great mom, and an even better wife to her husband, John."

Hunter was the consummate PR pro, embodying both the detail-oriented precision and the 24/7 responsiveness that the job calls for, along with a doting personal touch that was felt by her coworkers, clients, and members of the media. Hunter was beloved by her peers, as well — no small feat in the cut-throat world of Dallas media.

Chuck Steelman called her "amazing — one of the best public relations professionals I’ve ever worked with." Patricia Valderrama described her as "the warmest and kindest soul. Never saw her angry or upset ever." Allison Golden Tucker posted, "It always seemed like Kelly had more hours in the day than most. Her storytelling ability was second to none and she always had time for a quick word of advice."

Barbara Kovacevich highlighted Kelly's effectiveness, noting that "she elevated Addison events to national recognition. It’s hard to not link Kelly with Addison Kaboom Town. Kelly was driven to success and had a great heart for others."

Kelly was born in Dallas on June 28, 1967. Her parents were Joanne Washburn and John Alexander Jr., and she had a younger sister, Amy. She graduated from Plano Senior High School, going on to earn degrees in marketing and finance from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA in marketing from the University of North Texas.

She and her husband, John, had two children, Chandler and Reagan, and the four were frequent travelers.

She was also a lifelong volunteer, from the PTA at her children’s elementary school, to Junior League of Collin County, Women’s Auxiliary for Children’s Health, Chamberlain Ballet, and the National Charity League. A culinary enthusiast in work and life, she was recently inducted into Les Dames d’Escoffier.

"Kelly did everything in life with a cheerful attitude and a warmth that made everyone feel special," the statement from Sunwest said. "Her network reaches every corner of the DFW metroplex and beyond as a talented storyteller, fabulous home chef, and a dedicated friend. She was loved and admired by all who knew her."

Services will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 11 am at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano. The service will be live-streamed at cumc.com/memorial.

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