# Gerald J. Rubin

> Gerald J. Rubin, known as Jerry, co-founded Helen of Troy in El Paso in 1968 and led its development into a global consumer-products company with nearly $1.3 billion in fiscal 2013 revenue. His career spans beauty appliances, brand licensing, the 2004 OXO acquisition and commercial real estate. He is the founder and executive chairman of River Oaks Properties and, with his wife Stanlee, has supported UTEP arts and athletics; his company also sponsored the Sun Bowl from 2004 through 2009.

- **Role:** Founder and Executive Chairman at River Oaks Properties
- **Organizations:** Helen of Troy Limited, River Oaks Properties, University of Texas at El Paso, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch, Congregation B’nai Zion
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in biological sciences; minor in chemistry, Texas Western College (now University of Texas at El Paso), Graduate study; degree not specified, Arizona State University
- **Known for:** Led Helen of Troy from its 1968 beginnings to nearly $1.3 billion in fiscal 2013 revenue., Oversaw the Vidal Sassoon licensing strategy and expansion into owned housewares through OXO., Received UTEP Distinguished Alumni recognition in 2002.

## Career timeline

- **1965** — Graduated from Texas Western College with a BS in biological sciences and a chemistry minor.
- **1966-1972** — Served in the US Army Reserve.
- **1968** — Co-founded Helen of Troy in El Paso; its early business sold wigs.
- **1970s** — Shifted from wig retailing into hairdryers and styling tools for salons.
- **1980** — Helen of Troy secured a Vidal Sassoon appliance license.
- **1984** — Became chairman and CEO; held those roles through June 2000 before adding the president title.
- **1992** — Helen of Troy licensed the Revlon name for hair appliances.
- **2000** — Became chairman, CEO and president of Helen of Troy.
- **2003-2009** — Served as a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch.
- **2004** — Helen of Troy acquired OXO for approximately $273 million; Sun Bowl title sponsorship began; the Rubin Center for the Visual Arts was inaugurated at UTEP.
- **2009** — Named a Legend of the Sun Bowl.
- **2011** — Received an Ernst & Young regional Entrepreneur of the Year award.
- **2014** — Left Helen of Troy in January to serve as CEO of River Oaks Properties; representatives announced a lawsuit over his departure in November.
- **2021** — Received the Greater El Paso CCIM Chapter Legends of Real Estate award.
- **2024** — Inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame; the CCIM Institute Foundation established a Jerry Rubin Scholarship.

## Achievements

- Led Helen of Troy from its 1968 beginnings to nearly $1.3 billion in fiscal 2013 revenue.
- Oversaw the Vidal Sassoon licensing strategy and expansion into owned housewares through OXO.
- Received UTEP Distinguished Alumni recognition in 2002.
- Named El Pasoan of the Year in 2004.
- Named a Legend of the Sun Bowl in 2009.
- Received an Ernst & Young regional Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2011.
- Received El Paso’s Conquistador Award in 2013.
- Received the Greater El Paso CCIM Chapter Legends of Real Estate award in 2021.
- Inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — River Oaks Properties’ leadership page, checked in October 2026, identifies Rubin as founder and executive chairman; Adam Frank manages daily operations.
- **2024-04** — The CCIM Institute Foundation lists April 16, 2024 as the establishment date of the Jerry Rubin Scholarship.

## Links

- Website: https://ropelpaso.com/about/leadership
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-rubin-28744b31

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/gerald-j-rubin
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14