THE KICKERILLO FAMILY

The Kickerillo Family – Vincent, Mary and their daughter, Kelli - proves each day that the American Dream is alive and well. Over the years, they have truly epitomized the American work ethic and real family values.

Their story began in 1929 with the birth of Vincent Kickerillo. At just 13 years old, Vincent moved from the family farm in Texas to seek his fortune in Houston, the dynamic city with a bustling port and ship channel that would become the Energy Capital of the world. Vincent’s first job was at Hughes Tool Company. While still in his teens, he joined the Merchant Marines and worked his way up to second engineer. The role took him traveling around the world for the next twelve years. Back in Houston in 1957, he started construction of homes, and soon Kickerillo Companies was in the booming business of real estate development, home construction, banking, savings & loan and insurance.

Since those earlier days, the Kickerillo name has had a profound impact on the growth of Houston. Kickerillo Companies have developed or built in over 30 of Houston’s most notable communities featuring not only high quality custom homes, but also a wide variety of shops, churches, schools, and recreational facilities. He is now the chief executive officer of a massive real estate empire.

As for the Kickerillo family, they are a well-known trio.

Vincent Kickerillo met Mary Miller in 1976 and their relationship began. Mary, who was born in Laurel, Mississippi, spent most of her childhood in Beaumont, Texas. She began her singing career in 1962 and eventually moved to Los Angeles. After success in singing, Mary was signed to Reprise Records by the owner of the company, Frank Sinatra. Although this catapulted her career, she soon decided to leave show business behind. Mary moved back to Houston to be closer to her family, but little did she know that the love of her life would be in Houston as well. Vincent developed the Inergi record label and production of Mary’s numerous albums followed. Mary received several awards of merit from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, with many of her hits topping the Billboard charts. Mary’s last recording effort in 1985 was an album of Paul Anka songs she recorded with Paul on the Inergi label.

After a successful career in the entertainment business, this dynamite team decided to change the course of their life and step out of the music business and into a marriage. The next big event for the Kickerillo’s was their greatest success yet, the birth of their daughter, Kelli, in the summer of 1981. Today, Kelli is Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer of Kickerillo Companies. Kelli is involved in all aspects of the family business. She created and oversees the in-house marketing department of the company and she works closely with her father on acquisitions. Kelli holds a BBA from the University of St. Thomas and, like her generous parents, is extremely active in the community and charity work. Kelli currently serves on the Board of Directors of Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, the Alumni Board for the University of St. Thomas, and the Advisory Board for Texas A&M’s Institute of Biosciences and Technology in Houston.

Complementing their enormous business success are their immeasurable contributions to the community. They have donated substantial amounts of time and money to St. John Vianney Catholic Church, the Hughen School for the Disabled, the Anti-Defamation League, the Diabetes Foundation, the National Jewish Hospital, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes, the United Way, Easter Seals, the Starkey Hearing Foundation, and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The Kickerillos are also active supporters of the Houston Symphony sponsoring several Pops Concerts over the years.

Mary and Vincent were one of the first couples to support the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center in Palm Desert, California and they now reside on the Board of Governors of the center. They have been supporters of the fight against Muscular Dystrophy and chaired their annual Tournament of Stars. The Anti Defamation League honored Vincent in 1983 at the most successful Torch of Liberty Dinner the League has ever produced. In 2004, the Samaritan Ministry of Houston recognized the Kickerillo family for their continued support of this growing grief counseling organization.

On many other occasions, the Kickerillos, both as a family and individually, have been honored and named as outstanding citizens. However, one of their most joyous contributions has been to the community of Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. As Kelli began school there in 1985 so began a thirteen-year friendship between the school and the Kickerillo family. Mary chaired the school’s annual Extravaganza and the annual Mother Daughter Luncheon and Fashion Show that honored the graduates of the class of 1999. The Kickerillo’s invaluable support at Duchesne continues to be a labor of love. In 2006, the family chaired Duchesne’s past parents’ annual giving fundraiser, pledging to match every donation to the school. Vincent served on the Board of Directors at Duchesne as the Development Chair. As mentioned before, Kelli followed in her father’s footsteps by joining the Board of Directors of Duchesne in 2007.

Through their experiences in business, in community, and in family, the Kickerillos are truly living the American Dream.