December 17, 2015
Employees of an oil and gas production company are celebrating Christmas early this year, after their boss decided to reward them with a generous bonus.
Texas billionaire Jeffery Hildebrand, owner of Hilcorp Energy, continued a tradition of large bonuses this year by offering employees $100,000 each, Forbes reports.
Five years ago, Hildebrand, 56, gave every employee the choice of $35,000 cash or $50,000 toward a new car after the company reached its goal of doubling its oil and gas production.
With about 1,400 employees, Hildebrand’s largesse will total more than $100 million (amounts are said to be prorated depending on how much of the past five years a worker was with the company).
"It’s just a true gift, and I think myself, along with everyone, is not going to give less than 100 percent each day," receptionist Amanda Thompson told Fox 4 News in Houston.
According to Forbes, Hilcorp has reportedly contributed more than $11 million to charity since 2007.
Read more from Forbes here.
