By Sarah Mitchell
Kristi Hoyl, originally from Greenville, Texas, is a graduate of Texas A&M. Her journey took her to Dallas, where she dedicated several years to serving the city in various capacities, including as Chief of Staff for two mayors. Her passion for education led her to co-found the Education is Freedom Foundation alongside Jim Keys, a venture she was involved in for a couple of years before transitioning to a role at Baylor Scott & White where she has been for the past two decades.
Ron Hoyl’s roots are in Canyon, Texas. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and later pursued law at Texas Tech School of Law. His career path brought him to Dallas in 1988, where he initially joined a law firm before moving in-house to a private equity group. After nearly a decade there, he joined Rockpoint Group, a private equity real estate firm headquartered in Boston, but with the convenience of working from Dallas. For the past 17 years, he has served as General Counsel for Rockpoint.
The couple’s paths crossed when Ron, a single father of two boys, was reconnected with an old friend who happened to be Kristi’s sorority sister. This friend played matchmaker at a 20th high school reunion, leading to Ron and Kristi meeting and eventually marrying in 2003. Six months into their marriage, Ron’s boys moved in with them full-time. They also welcomed a daughter, Sydney, who is now 19.
Since 2003, the Hoyls have resided in the Park Cities, off Potomac Ave. Kristi said, “It’s a wonderful neighborhood. It’s a family-centric neighborhood and the schools are great. For us, at that point in time, it was centrally located for our work. It checked all of the boxes for us.” The Hoyl children have flourished in their respective educational paths, with the boys starting in the Highland Park system. Alex, the eldest, graduated from Highland Park, while Luke transferred to Parrish Episcopal School his freshman year to pursue his passion for baseball. Sydney attended Hockaday from Pre-K through high school.
The Hoyl family cherishes their time together, particularly when traveling. Their favorite destinations include Italy, London, Cabo, and spending a few weeks each summer in Nantucket. Italy holds a special place in their hearts, having honeymooned on the Amalfi Coast. Closer to home, they enjoy their family lake house on Club Lake near Greenville, Texas, which Kristi describes as everyone’s happy place. “I think if you ask any of the kids, they would say that’s their favorite spot in the world,” said Kristi. “It’s a wonderful family time – laid back and casual. With a small ski boat and a large pontoon, it’s a perfect spot for family time.”
Alex, the eldest son, has been married for five years. The family’s love for animals is evident, with Alex owning six dogs as well as horses, Luke having two dogs, and Ron and Kristi having a dog named Jack.
Their daughter Sydney has embarked on a promising singing career. Her journey began with musical theater, progressing to vocal lessons and songwriting. A key moment came when they met Kim Sandusky, a vocal coach in Nashville who saw immense potential in Sydney. “She has been Beyonce’s vocal coach since she was 14,” explained Ron. “She fell in love with Sydney, and as we were leaving on the second day, she said, ‘I haven’t been more excited about a kid since Beyonce walked in the door at 14.’ That gave us the confirmation that we needed to support Syndney on her journey.” With Kim’s guidance, Sydney has honed her craft. Performing under the stage name Sydney Sherrill, she released her first album in 2023 and just released her second album last month. She has opened for Sheryl Crow and performed at significant events like the 50th anniversary of Cattle Barons Ball (headlined by Shania Twain) and sports events for the Texas Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Dallas Sidekicks.
The Hoyls are deeply involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League (DSOL). Sydney’s passion for music and her desire to ensure access to musical tools for all has driven her involvement. Kristi and Ron have been active supporters, underwriting chairs and co-chairing the DSO Gala. Additionally, Kristi has been a member of the Crystal Charity Ball since 2011 and has chaired the Cattle Barons Ball since 2010. Their commitment extends to Shatterproof, a national organization combating addiction, with Sydney also raising funds for the cause.
Reflecting on their journey, the Hoyls express gratitude for the opportunities they’ve had and the ability to support their children in pursuing their passions.