# Richard H. Collins

> Richard H. (Dick) Collins is a Dallas entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist who co-founded Istation in 1998 and became its chairman and CEO in 2007. Following the 2024 merger with Amira Learning, he became co-chairman of the board. His work also includes the Today Foundation, educational philanthropy, and historic preservation in Jefferson, Texas.

- **Role:** Co-Chairman of the Board at Amira Learning; Chairman at Richard H. Collins Enterprises
- **Organizations:** Istation, Amira Learning, Richard H. Collins Enterprises, Today Foundation, Calvert K. Collins Family Foundation, Collins Academy, Southern Methodist University, Texas Historical Commission, Texas Board of Criminal Justice
- **From:** Dallas, United States
- **Education:** Bachelor of Business Administration, Southern Methodist University, Trinity University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Istation and led it as chairman and CEO beginning in 2007., SMU Distinguished Alumni recognition, 2017., EdTech Breakthrough EdTech CEO of the Year, 2019.

## Career timeline

- **1969** — Graduated from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
- **1973** — Acquired the House of the Seasons, an 1872 historic home in Jefferson, Texas.
- **1978** — Began participating as a principal in media businesses, including movie theaters, radio stations and newspapers.
- **1981-1989** — Served on the Texas Historical Commission.
- **1985** — Founded Richard H. Collins Enterprises, his investment firm.
- **1990-1991** — Served on the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.
- **1998** — Co-founded Istation, also known as Imagination Station.
- **2007** — Became Istation chairman and CEO.
- **2012** — Istation received the Texas SUCCESS reading contract for grades 3-8.
- **2015** — SMU announced his $1 million commitment to establish the Institute for Leadership Impact; he was also named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Southwest Region finalist.
- **2017** — Recognized among SMU’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.
- **2019** — Received the EdTech Breakthrough EdTech CEO of the Year award.
- **2024** — Istation merged with Amira Learning; Collins transitioned to co-chairman of the board alongside Amit Patel.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Istation and led it as chairman and CEO beginning in 2007.
- SMU Distinguished Alumni recognition, 2017.
- EdTech Breakthrough EdTech CEO of the Year, 2019.
- EY Entrepreneur of the Year Southwest Region finalist, 2015.
- $1 million commitment announced by SMU in 2015 to establish its Institute for Leadership Impact.
- Historic preservation and educational projects in Jefferson, including the House of the Seasons and Port Jefferson History and Nature Park.

## Latest updates

- **2024-06** — The Amira Learning-Istation merger was announced on June 11, with Collins transitioning to co-chairman of the combined company’s board.

## Links

- Website: https://richardhcollins.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-collins-0747ab14

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/richard-h-collins
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26