Rex Tillerson
Engineer Rex Tillerson, born on March 23rd of 1952 in Wichita Falls, Texas, is known for being the chief executive officer and chairman of Exxon Mobil Corporation. Since January of 2006, he has been the leader of the multinational gas and oil business, which is a direct descendant of the Standard Oil company of John D. Rockefeller.
Tillerson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin, where he was a member of the Longhorn Band, Alpha Phi Omega, and the Tejas Club. Following his graduation, he was employed as an engineer at the Exxon Company, USA in 1975. Since then, he has been assigned to various positions both locally and internationally.
In 1995, Tillerson became the president of Esso Exploration and Production Khorat Inc and Exxon Yemen Inc. Two years later, he was appointed president of Exxon Neftegas Ltd, focusing on Exxon holdings in the Caspian Sea and in Russia, and vice president of Exxon ventures (CIS). In 1999, with the merger of Mobil and Exxon, he served as the ExxonMobil Development Company executive vice president. In 2001, Rex Tillerson was acting president for Exxon Mobil Corporation and in 2006, became chief executive after Lee Raymond’s retirement.
Tillerson, who is an Eagle Scout, is also a Center for Strategic and International Studies trustee and an American Petroleum Institute and Business Roundtable member.
Recently, he re-established his authority last May 28th 2008 in a shareholder meeting. A non-binding resolution sponsored by the Rockefeller family was held to separate the chief executive and chairman positions, both of which are held by Rex Tillerson, to keep a system of balances and checks. The Rockefellers also demanded Tillerson’s company to invest more on alternative energy. Despite these setbacks, the Rockefellers did not get the necessary majority and Rex Tillerson, to this day, still holds both job positions.