Bill Perkins

William O. Perkins III is an American entrepreneur, energy trader, author, and high-stakes recreational poker player. Raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, he studied electrical engineering at the University of Iowa and played as a walk-on defensive back for the Hawkeyes. He began trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange in 1991 and later founded Skylar Capital Management, a hedge fund specializing in natural-gas markets.

Beyond energy trading, Perkins has pursued ventures in technology, entertainment, and investment. He co-founded SkyFi and SynMax, companies that use satellite imagery and data analytics, and has worked as a film producer on movies including After.Life, Unthinkable, and Cat Run. In 2022, he made headlines as an art collector after purchasing Ernie Barnes's iconic painting The Sugar Shack for approximately $15.3 million.

Perkins is the author of the 2020 book "Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life", which encourages readers to prioritize meaningful experiences over endless wealth accumulation. His philosophy emphasizes making the most of one's time, health, and money at every stage of life. Outside of business, he enjoys traveling and wakesurfing and supports charitable initiatives that help children in foster care find permanent families.

Although well known in high-stakes poker circles, Perkins considers himself a recreational rather than professional player. He plays online as "GASTRADER" on PokerStars and has appeared on major poker broadcasts, including High Stakes Poker. He also founded The Thirst Lounge, a Twitch project focused on poker, travel, entertainment, and lifestyle. His outgoing personality, entrepreneurial background, and passion for memorable experiences have made him a recognizable figure in the poker community.