Who is Kip Oliphant from Heat and Light: A Novel?

Clifford “Kip” Oliphant is a successful businessman from Houston, Texas. Although he intended to go to West Point like his father, he ultimately declines the admissions offer and works for his stepfather, who owns Dar Energy, instead. Eventually, Kip’s dogged tactics turn profits and he creates and runs a subsidiary of Dar Energy, Dark Elephant. Throughout the novel, this tactic also leads to significant profits, until the drilling in Bakerton causes Dark Elephant stock to drop and the shareholders to turn on him.