# John Moores

> John Jay Moores is an American software entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist who co-founded BMC Software and served as its first CEO. He helped establish JMI Equity, owned the San Diego Padres from 1994 to 2012, played a central role in bringing Petco Park to downtown San Diego and, with Rebecca Moores, gave $51.4 million to the University of Houston in 1991.

- **Role:** Founder, JMI (listed by the University of San Diego)
- **Organizations:** BMC Software, JMI, JMI Equity, San Diego Padres (former owner), University of Houston, University of California (former regent), The Carter Center, Peregrine Systems (former chairman)
- **From:** San Antonio, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S. in Economics, University of Houston, Juris Doctor, University of Houston Law Center, Texas A&M University
- **Known for:** Co-founded BMC Software and led it as its first CEO., Helped establish software investor JMI Equity in 1992., Played a central role in the development of Petco Park.

## Career timeline

- **1944** — Born in San Antonio, Texas.
- **1970** — Earned an economics degree from the University of Houston.
- **1975** — Earned a University of Houston law degree.
- **1980** — Established BMC Software in Houston; served as its first CEO.
- **1987** — Concluded his tenure as BMC chief executive.
- **1988** — BMC went public.
- **1991** — John and Rebecca Moores donated $51.4 million to the University of Houston.
- **1992** — Concluded his tenure as BMC chairman; helped establish JMI Equity.
- **1994** — Purchased the San Diego Padres with Larry Lucchino.
- **1998** — Padres won the NL pennant; San Diego voters approved the downtown ballpark proposal.
- **2004** — Petco Park opened.
- **2012** — Sold his remaining Padres ownership.
- **2023** — Inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame.

## Achievements

- Co-founded BMC Software and led it as its first CEO.
- Helped establish software investor JMI Equity in 1992.
- Played a central role in the development of Petco Park.
- With Rebecca Moores, donated $51.4 million to the University of Houston in 1991.
- Inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame in 2023.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — The University of Houston announced a 2026-27 music season recognizing the thirtieth anniversary of the gift associated with the Moores School of Music.
- **2025-01** — Publicly recalled his friendship with Jimmy Carter following the former president’s death.
- **2023-07** — Inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame alongside Jake Peavy.

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/john-moores
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21