Rex Tillerson

Rex Tillerson is an American businessman and former government official who served as the 69th United States Secretary of State under President Donald Trump. He previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of ExxonMobil, one of the world's largest publicly traded oil and gas companies. His tenure at the United States Department of State was marked by significant diplomatic challenges and a strained relationship with the White House, culminating in his dismissal via Twitter in March 2018.

Early life and education

Rex Wayne Tillerson was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and grew up in Huntsville, Texas and Stillwater, Oklahoma. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, eventually achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1975. During his university years, he was a member of the Texas Cowboys service organization and the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Career at ExxonMobil

Tillerson began his career with Exxon in 1975 as a production engineer. He held various engineering and managerial positions, with postings in the company's central United States, including the Yates Oil Field in Texas, and internationally. He played a key role in Exxon's operations in Russia, negotiating a landmark deal with Rosneft for access to resources in the Arctic Ocean and Siberia. After the Exxon–Mobil merger in 1999, he assumed greater responsibilities, becoming president of ExxonMobil in 2004. He was elected chairman and chief executive officer in 2006, a position he held until his retirement in 2016. His leadership was defined by major projects like the Kearl Oil Sands in Alberta and the Sakhalin-I project in Russia, though he also faced criticism over the company's stance on climate change.

U.S. Secretary of State

Nominated by President Donald Trump in December 2016, his confirmation hearings before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations focused on his business ties to Russia and Vladimir Putin, to whom he was awarded the Order of Friendship in 2013. He was confirmed by the United States Senate in a 56–43 vote. As Secretary of State, he advocated for a foreign policy of "principled realism" and oversaw a major reorganization proposal for the United States Department of State. Key events during his tenure included the administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, escalating tensions with North Korea over its nuclear program, and a deepening rift with Qatar during the Qatar diplomatic crisis. His relationship with President Trump was notoriously difficult, with public disagreements over issues like the Charlottesville rally and policy toward Iran. He was dismissed on March 13, 2018, and replaced by then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

Post-government career and personal life

Since leaving government, Tillerson has returned to private life, occasionally delivering lectures on governance and leadership at institutions like the United States Military Academy at West Point. He has been critical of the political environment in Washington, D.C., warning about threats to American democracy. He married Renda St. Clair in 1986, and they have four children. He maintains residences in Bartonville, Texas, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He remains a trustee for the Center for Strategic and International Studies and is involved with philanthropic efforts, including the Boy Scouts of America.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, Tillerson has received numerous accolades. In 2013, he was awarded the Order of Friendship by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has also been honored with the Order of the Brilliant Star from the Republic of China and the Order of the Condor of the Andes from Bolivia. His service to the Boy Scouts of America was recognized with the Silver Buffalo Award. In 2016, he was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering for his leadership in the global energy industry.

Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:United States Secretaries of State Category:ExxonMobil people