Driving Success: Sam Mahrouq Honored with Hall of Fame Award

What started as a UTA student business grew into a multimillion-dollar business empire. But for Sam Mahrouq, success has never just been about profit.

This fall, the UTA College of Business will honor Sam with a College of Business Hall of Fame award, recognizing not only his entrepreneurial accomplishments but his longstanding commitment to supporting UTA students.

“This is an incredible honor. When I came to UTA, I never imagined that one day I’d be recognized in this way. This induction isn’t just a personal milestone, it’s a reflection of the values UTA instilled in me: hard work, resilience and the importance of giving back,” Mahrouq said. “To be acknowledged by the College of Business, a place I hold in very high regard, it’s a reminder that success is most fulfilling when it comes full circle when you use it to uplift others.”

Sam Mahrouq. 

Sam majored in journalism with a minor in business, but it quickly became apparent that Sam’s true passion was for the business side of his degree path.  

“I started my business while still a student at UTA. It started with a very simple idea. I bought a car and resold it for a profit. That moment opened my eyes. I realized there was real opportunity if I paid attention to the fundamentals and stayed persistent. I’ve always believed that you don’t wait for the perfect moment you act on what’s in front of you, learn as you go and stay adaptable,” Mahrouq said. “My business grew quickly. While still a UTA student I began exporting 30 cars a month. Through my experiences, I also learned that you must be humble. Even though I founded several auto dealerships, I was still often washing cars in the make ready line when they needed help and we had to service our customers. Entrepreneurship was never just about money for me it was about building something that lasts, creating value and learning through experience.”

Today, Sam is chairman and president of Mahrouq Enterprises International Inc., a diversified company with ventures in auto sales, finance, insurance, technology, real estate and hospitality. He also owns iKON Technologies, one of Arlington’s largest homegrown tech firms. As his portfolio grew, Mahrouq expanded into real estate and hospitality, with recent efforts focused on redeveloping the Caravan Court Hotel to help connect Arlington’s downtown, University District and Entertainment District. Named to Fort Worth Inc.’s Top 400 list of influential people, he is also a committed philanthropist, supporting organizations such as the Arlington Museum of Art, the Levitt Pavilion and the Salvation Army.

Sam has become one of the College of Business’s most dedicated supporters. He established the Sam Mahrouq Financial Markets Lab to give students real-world experience, and he currently serves on UTA’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Innovation board .

“My passion for business grew from my own experiences, and I’ve always believed in paying it forward. I invested in the Financial Markets Lab because I wanted students to have hands-on exposure to the real world of finance, not just textbooks,” Mahrouq said. “Being part of the Entrepreneurship Board lets me share what I’ve learned, both successes and failures, with those who are just starting out. Supporting future entrepreneurs matters because I see myself in them. If I can help someone else, take that first step with confidence, I’ve done something meaningful.”

College of Business Dean Harry Dombroski, Sam Mahrouq, and Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams pose in front of the Sam Mahrouq Financial Markets Lab.

Staying connected to UTA has always mattered to Sam, who said his relationship with the College of Business “feels like coming home.” In 2019, he returned to campus as the College of Business commencement speaker. Two years later, he threw the first pitch during UTA Night at a Texas Rangers game.

“UTA is where my journey in the U.S. began it shaped me both personally and professionally. Speaking at commencement in 2019 was a full-circle moment. And throwing the first pitch at a Rangers game on UTA Day? That was just surreal and a lot of fun,” Mahrouq said. “But more than anything, it’s about connection. Staying close to UTA reminds me of where I came from and it keeps me grounded. It also gives me the chance to encourage the next generation face-to-face.”

After decades of building businesses and giving back to his alma mater, Sam Mahrouq has one message for students standing where he once stood: be bold, be ethical and never stop learning.

“Take risks. Trust your instincts. And don’t be afraid to fail, it’s where most of the learning happens. Stay curious, stay hungry and above all, be ethical. The business world is competitive, but there’s always room for people who lead with integrity. Use your time at UTA to explore, build relationships and get your hands dirty,” Mahrouq said. “Real learning comes from doing. And when you find success, remember to look back and help the person behind you. That’s how we all move forward. Most importantly, enjoy what you do, love your family and cherish your friends.”

Learn more about our awards and purchase tickets on our website.