Gillon Property Group has emerged as a significant player in Texas real estate, managing the combined holdings of Ray Washburne and his wife, Heather Hill Washburne. Heather is the daughter of A. G. Hill Jr., granddaughter of Margaret Hunt Hill, and great-granddaughter of oil magnate H. L. Hunt.
H.L. Hunt’s legacy includes founding Hunt Oil Company after acquiring part of the East Texas Oil Field, a story that partly inspired the character J.R. Ewing on the television show “Dallas.” The Hunt family’s business interests are broad, including Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, which was started by Caroline Hunt.
Lamar Hunt, another member of the family, played a key role in establishing the American Football League and owned what became the Kansas City Chiefs before the AFL merged with the NFL to form part of today’s Super Bowl structure.
The extended family is currently estimated to be worth about $25 billion.
Heather Hill Washburne married Ray Washburne, whose background includes graduating from Southern Methodist University and descending from Hempstead Washburne, a former mayor of Chicago in the 1890s.
Ray Washburne is recognized for co-founding Mi Cocina and for his involvement in purchasing Highland Park Village with his wife and other family members in 2009 for $170 million. The property has since become an upscale shopping destination featuring private venues like Park House.
Washburne also participates in redevelopment projects around Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center aimed at revitalizing downtown areas. In 2019 he bought the former Dallas Morning News building for $28 million with intentions to convert it into a mixed-use district; he later sold it but remains active nearby after buying the Greyhound bus terminal in 2024, which will close this fall to allow redevelopment.
Additionally, Washburne collaborates with Trammell Crow Company on Knox & McKinney—a planned 12-story office tower at 4544 McKinney Avenue—targeting further luxury development north of downtown Dallas.
Beyond real estate ventures, Washburne has been involved in Republican politics as an operative and fundraiser. He served as president of Overseas Private Investment Corporation during President Trump’s first term and helped establish its successor agency before leading it until 2019. His political activities include roles supporting Chris Christie’s campaign finances and serving as vice chairman for Trump Victory Committee during 2016.
Politico reported that during a recent presidential transition period he met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to advise on selecting a nominee for Energy Department leadership.
