Nate Morris
B.A. ’03
Entrepreneur, Business Executive
Monumental Achievement: Nate Morris’s vision of using technology to drive free-market environmental innovation led to his founding and serving Chairman of Rubicon Technologies, which offers a digital platform for smart waste and recycling for governments and businesses throughout the world. In October 2016, Rubicon was named a Next Billion-Dollar Startup by Forbes. In September 2017, Forbes reported that Rubicon's valuation was more than $1 billion, making the company one of GW’s unicorns. Rubicon was recognized as an Industry Disruptor by Inc. Magazine; twice named One of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company; and is the subject of a Harvard Business School case study in which Morris is featured as the protagonist. Morris is also the founder and chairman of Lexington, Kentucky-based conglomerate Morris Industries, which is reimagining the industrial economy, and co-founder of the Morris Foundation, which promotes the cherished American value that a better life is possible to those who seek it and invests in causes that provide opportunities for self-advancement. His many honors include being named: to Fortune's 40 Under 40 list in 2014; a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum; and one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2016 by Goldman Sachs at its annual Builders + Innovators Summit. In addition, Morris was inducted in 2019 into the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame, the youngest person to ever receive the honor.
Biography
Nate Morris is Chairman and CEO of Morris Industries, a privately held conglomerate headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. Founded in 2010, Morris Industries leverages the power of business to solve some of America’s biggest challenges. Morris also serves as Founder and Chairman of Republic Financial, a leading provider in life and health products to protect America’s hardworking families.
Prior to Morris Industries, Nate Morris founded Rubicon, one of America’s largest waste and recycling companies operating in 50 states and 20 countries. Legally formed in 2009 with a $10,000 line of credit. Morris served as CEO for over 12 years.
Under his leadership, Morris led a $2-billion-dollar transaction to bring Rubicon public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and Rubicon was named “One of the World’s Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company, an “Industry Disruptor” by Inc. Magazine, and a Great Place to Work™ 5 consecutive years, providing 100% free healthcare for all employees. Rubicon is only one of nine Kentucky companies to become public in the 230-year history of the New York Stock Exchange.
Morris was the first Kentuckian to be named to Fortune Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list and is a regional winner of EY’s Entrepreneur of Year Award. He is also the youngest inductee ever to the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.
By the age of 21, Morris worked in the U.S. House & Senate, the U.S. Department of Labor and The White House. Morris also worked for the American Cross and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.
A ninth-generation Kentuckian, Morris’ family descends from Morgan County, in the heart of Appalachia. A product of public schools, Morris was raised in a union household by a single mother.
Through academic scholarships and working, Morris graduated from George Washington University, studied public policy at Princeton University, and earned a business degree at Oxford University. He was elected Phi Beta Kappa and named a Fulbright Specialist Scholar. Morris holds an honorary doctorate of letters from the University of Pikeville.
Nate Morris is the founder and Managing Trustee of the Morris Foundation whose mission is to provide access to the American Dream for all Kentuckians. Morris currently serves as the Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics and is the Chairman for 2X Game Changers.
Morris and his wife Jane reside at Commonwealth Farm in Lexington.