The Kickerillo Family – Vincent, Mary and their daughter, Kelli – proves each day that the American Dream is alive and well. Over the years, they have truly epitomized the American work ethic and real family values.
Their story began in 1929 with the birth of Vincent Kickerillo. At just 13 years old, Vincent moved from the family farm in Texas to seek his fortune in Houston, the dynamic city with a bustling port and ship channel that would become the Energy Capital of the world. Vincent’s first job was at Hughes Tool Company. While still in his teens, he joined the Merchant Marines and worked his way up to second engineer. The role took him traveling around the world for the next twelve years. Back in Houston in 1957, he started construction of homes, and soon Kickerillo Companies was in the booming business of real estate development, home construction, banking, savings & loan and insurance.
Since those earlier days, the Kickerillo name has had a profound impact on the growth of Houston. Kickerillo Companies have developed or built in over 30 of Houston’s most notable communities featuring not only high quality custom homes, but also a wide variety of shops, churches, schools, and recreational facilities. He is now the chief executive officer of a massive real estate empire.
As for the Kickerillo family, they are a well-known trio. Vincent Kickerillo met Mary Miller in 1976 and their relationship began. Mary, who was born in Laurel, Mississippi, spent most of her childhood in Beaumont, Texas. She began her singing career in 1962 and eventually moved to Los Angeles. After success in singing, Mary was signed to Reprise Records by the owner of the company, Frank Sinatra. Although this catapulted her career, she soon decided to leave show business behind. Mary moved back to Houston to be closer to her family, but little did she know that the love of her life would be in Houston as well. Vincent developed the Inergi record label and production of Mary’s numerous albums followed. Mary received several awards of merit from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, with many of her hits topping the Billboard charts. Mary’s last recording effort in 1985 was an album of Paul Anka songs she recorded with Paul on the Inergi label.
After a successful career in the entertainment business, this dynamite team decided to change the course of their life and step out of the music business and into a marriage. The next big event for the Kickerillo’s was their greatest success yet, the birth of their daughter, Kelli, in the summer of 1981. Today, Kelli is Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer of Kickerillo Companies. Kelli is involved in all aspects of the family business. She created and oversees the in-house marketing department of the company and she works closely with her father on acquisitions. Kelli holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of St. Thomas and is extremely active in the community and charity work. She currently serves on the Alumni Board at the University of St. Thomas, the Texas Heart Institute in Houston, as well as the Board of Trustees of Duchesne Academy. Kelli has co-chaired Documentary Alliance’s fundraising gala, chaired the University of St. Thomas’ Second Annual Fall Fashion Event and Alumni Luncheon, and co-chaired Texas A&M’s IBT Hope Luncheon benefiting birth defects research, and chaired the University of St. Thomas’ Annual Houston Marathon Cheer Party for three consecutive years. In May of 2008, Kelli served as co-chair for First Look: First Chapter celebrating the opening of the Central Library in Downtown Houston. Kelli has also worked on Texas A&M’s IBT’s Miss Reveille Dog Walk and Fun Run, Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation’s Catwalk for the Cure…After Dark, and Recipe For Success’s Harvest Luncheon featuring speaker Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Over the years, the Kickerillos have also lent their time and support to the Barbara Sinatra’s Children Center in Rancho Mirage, California, the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dress for Success’ Women of Wardrobe, the Starkey Hearing Foundation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Houston Symphony, St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Duchesne Academy, the University of St. Thomas, and the Texas Heart Institute.
The Kickerillos have a simple philosophy when it comes to their charity work — education and medicine are our future. They focus on giving to children in need, providing scholarships for those seeking education, and helping doctors continue their medical research.
Through their experiences in business, in community, and in family, the Kickerillos are truly living the American Dream.
