E. Pierce Marshall

Everett Pierce Marshall (January 12, 1939 – June 20, 2006) was an American petroleum industry executive. He was the owner of 16% of Koch Industries (both directly and indirectly received as an inheritance from his father, J. Howard Marshall II). He spent the last 12 years of his life as a defendant in lawsuits by his stepmother, Anna Nicole Smith, and his brother, J. Howard Marshall III, who both sought part of his father's fortune after being left out of the will and testament.

Marshall served on the Board of Directors of Koch Industries from 1983 until his death in 2006.

Early life and education Marshall attended Millersburg Military Institute and Culver Military Academy, then graduated from The Webb Schools in 1956. He received an undergraduate degree from Pomona College in 1961.

Career Marshall began his career in 1961 at General Motors as an engine test engineer, followed by a brief tour with the United States Navy. After leaving the Navy in 1965, Marshall worked as an analyst for Loeb, Rhoades & Co., an investment bank in New York.

In 1980, the four sons of Fred C. Koch fought over control of Koch Industries, founded by their father. J. Howard Marshall III sided with Bill Koch and Frederick R. Koch, while Pierce and his father sided with Charles Koch and David Koch, resulting in J. Howard Marshall buying back the shares he had previously given J. Howard Marshall III.

He led Electron through a successful turnaround, saving over 300 jobs in Littleton, Colorado and Blackwell, Oklahoma. In the end, the courts ruled that Marshall III and Smith had no rights to the estate. Although Pierce did not like the spotlight and dealing with lawyers, he refused to settle the cases because he believed he was fighting a crusade to honor the final wishes of his father.

Death Marshall died on June 20, 2006, at the age of 67 as a result of septic shock brought on by a combination of staphylococcus and streptococcus infections that were resistant to drugs.