Sterling Family Partners

Providing a legacy of lasting growth for future generations

Our History

What started as an oil company bearing our namesake more than 70 years ago became a diverse family enterprise as it was developed and reimagined over the following decades.

1951
Bolin Oil Founded

D. Houston Bolin and his three sons, D. Phil Bolin, Robert Bolin, and Charles William Bolin, formed Bolin Oil Company in 1951.

1976
Eagle Oil & Gas Founded

D. Phil Bolin, Pat S. Bolin, and Warren T. Ayres broke away from Bolin Oil and founded a partnership that ultimately became Eagle Oil & Gas Co.

1985
Fidelity Bank Dallas Founded

D. Phil Bolin, Pat S. Bolin, and Warren T. Ayres were early investors in Fidelity Bank Dallas. Over time, they were able to become the majority shareholders. In 1997, the bank was sold to Compass Bank.

1992
Eagle Mart Acquired

In the early 1990s, the Eagle Group acquired nine convenience stores from Texaco and another four from an individual, forming Eagle Mart. Eagle Mart was sold to Southwest Convenient Stores in 1997.

1997
Beacon Insurance Acquired

In the late 1990s, the Eagle Group purchased Beacon Insurance Group. Beacon had been a longtime family business in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Eagle Group sold Beacon Insurance to State Auto in 2007.

2003
Fidelity Bank Wichita Falls Founded

In the early 2000s, the Eagle Group along with other investors formed Fidelity Bank Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls was an underbanked market, and the Eagle Group capitalized on its long-standing relationship and good reputation in the city. Today, Fidelity Bank Wichita Falls operates five branches with over $350 million in assets and remains a portfolio company of Sterling Family Partners.

2009
Carrollton Mineral Partners Founded

In the late 2000s, the Eagle Group partnered with Bo Howard to form Carrollton Mineral Partners. Through a series of funds, they have raised roughly $100 million that they have used to acquire minerals across the United States.

2013
Sterling Private Capital Founded

The direct private equity subsidiary of SFP is formed in partnership with Art Harding.

2020
Sterling Private Capital II Formed

Ross Bolin and Scott Piland formed the real estate and direct private equity platform.

In tandem with our business endeavors, the principals of Sterling Family Partners and their descendants have cultivated a genuine spirit of philanthropy for several generations.

Before partnering with any charitable organization, we perform due diligence with the same earnest intentionality as every business opportunity we evaluate.

Our roots are established in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which is where we focus our giving efforts on a thoughtful mix of local causes and organizations, including but not limited to: