Stephens history

1948 Allied Telephone begins a decades-long relationship with Stephens.

1953 Stephens acquires the Oklahoma Producing Co., renaming it Stephens Production Company.

In 1954 they paid $5.4 million for Arkansas-Oklahoma Gas, which has since evolved into gas driller Stephens Production.

Stephens acquires Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company (Arkla) and Witt assumes direct management oversight of it in 1956, leaving leadership of the investment firm in his brother Jack’s hands.

1968 Anticipating the coming revolution in bank data processing, Jack Stephens deploys excess computing capacity at Union Life, which was owned by the Stephens family.

1971 Together with the First National Bank of Commerce, Stephens underwrites $113 million in municipal bonds to help build the Louisiana Superdome.

Witt leaves the firm to become President and Chairman of Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company, where he stays until 1973.

He began his career as a CPA with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Dallas, Texas, in 1980.

Witt’s daughter Elizabeth S. Campbell joins the family firm in 1981

He joined Trammell Crow Company in Dallas in 1983.

In April 1985, the bankruptcy of Bevill, Bresler & Schulman wipes out Worthen’s capital.

Jack's son Warren (pictured) grew up in the business and was made CEO of Stephens, Inc. in 1986.

1987 Stephens Insurance is established.

1989 With Stephens’ guidance, Tyson Foods acquires Holly Farms for $1.5 billion in a hostile takeover.

Witt Stephens, Sr. passes away in 1991

1992 Stephens invests in Viking Range, providing the growth capital needed to expand into a leading international brand.

1993 Stephens purchases Donrey Media, renaming it Stephens Media Group.

1998 The Private Client Group is established to serve the wealth management needs of high net worth families, and the first Stephens branch office is opened in Conway, AR.

2001 Stephens invests in Hotchkis & Wiley, a leading Los Angeles- based investment management firm.

Joe became President of Allied in the late 70’s, with his son Scott becoming CEO in 2002.

2005). Though the cousins mostly invest separately now, they do still share ownership of family jewel Stephens Production as well as a sizable stake in money manager Hotchkis & Wiley.

He bought out the share of cousins Witt, Jr. and Elizabeth in 2006 after the death of Witt (d.

2009 Stephens launches a new brand captured in a new tagline: Capitalize on Independence.

In February 2015 Warren Stephens sold 8 newspapers he owned, including The Las Vegas Review-Journal, to an outfit called New Media Investment Group for $102 million in cash.