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{{Infobox executive
{{Infobox executive
| name = Vicki Hollub
| name = Vicki Hollub
| image = Vicki_Hollub.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Hollub at Occidental Petroleum, 2023
| birth_name = Vicki A. Hollub
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|1|1}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|1|1}}
| birth_place = {{flagicon|USA}} Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
| birth_place = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]], [[Alabama]], [[United States]]
| nationality = {{flagicon|USA}} American
| nationality = {{flagicon|USA}} American
| education = BS Mineral Engineering
| citizenship = {{flagicon|USA}} United States
| alma_mater = University of Alabama (1981)
| languages = {{flagicon|USA}} English
| occupation = Occidental Petroleum CEO
| residence = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Houston]], [[Texas]], United States
| spouse = Glenn Vige (m. 2001)
| education = [[University of Alabama]] (BS, Mineral Engineering, 1981)
| net_worth = $20-48 million
| alma_mater = University of Alabama
| salary = $18.5 million (2024)
| occupation = Business Executive, Petroleum Engineer
| years_active = 1981–present
| employer = [[Occidental Petroleum|Occidental Petroleum Corporation]]
| organization = Occidental Petroleum Corporation
| title = President and Chief Executive Officer
| term = April 2016 – present
| predecessor = Stephen Chazen
| board_member_of = Occidental Petroleum Corporation<br>[[Lockheed Martin]] Corporation<br>American Petroleum Institute
| spouse = Information private
| children = Information private
| parents = Information private
| net_worth = {{increase}} US$50 million (estimate, December 2024)<ref name="networth">[https://www.forbes.com/profile/vicki-hollub/ Vicki Hollub Forbes Profile], Forbes, 2024</ref>
| salary = US$18.2 million (2023)<ref name="compensation">[https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar Occidental 2024 Proxy Statement], SEC EDGAR</ref>
| awards = • National Academy of Engineering (2024)<br>• WPC Dewhurst Award (2025)<br>• Fortune Most Powerful Women<br>• University of Alabama Distinguished Engineering Fellow
| website = {{URL|oxy.com/about-oxy/leadership}}
| signature =
| company_logo = Occidental Petroleum
}}
}}


'''Vicki Hollub''' (born 1960) is an American petroleum engineer serving as President and CEO of [[Occidental Petroleum Corporation]] since April 2016, making her the first woman to lead a major American oil company. Fortune named her #32 Most Powerful Women in Business (2016). Born in Birmingham, Alabama, she earned a BS in Mineral Engineering from University of Alabama (1981) and started on Mississippi oil rigs with Cities Service (acquired by Occidental 1982), rising through 35+ years to CEO.
'''Vicki A. Hollub''' (born 1960) is an American businesswoman and mineral engineer who serves as president and chief executive officer of [[Occidental Petroleum|Occidental Petroleum Corporation]], one of the largest oil and gas producers in the United States.<ref name="oxy-bio">[https://www.oxy.com/about-oxy/leadership Vicki Hollub - Leadership], Occidental Petroleum, 2024</ref> When she was named CEO in 2016, she became the first woman to lead a major American oil company, a distinction she continues to hold.<ref name="first-woman">[https://fortune.com/most-powerful-women/2016/vicki-hollub/ Vicki Hollub - Fortune Most Powerful Women], Fortune, 2016</ref>


Hollub gained fame and controversy for the $38 billion Anadarko Petroleum acquisition in 2019, personally securing Warren Buffett's financing. Activist investor Carl Icahn called it "one of the worst deals I've ever seen" as Occidental assumed $55 billion total debt. The 2020 oil crash (COVID-19 pandemic + Saudi-Russia price war) sent oil to $20/barrel, Occidental stock fell 75%, and Moody's downgraded bonds to junk. However, Hollub vindicated critics by paying off acquisition in 5 years, achieving $58.8B market cap. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway now owns 28.8% of Occidental (Buffett: "she's running the company the right way"), and bought OxyChem for $9.7B in October 2025. Married Glenn Vige (independent oilman) in 2001, second marriage. Compensation $18.5M (2024).
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Hollub started her career working on oil rigs in Mississippi after graduating from the University of Alabama with a mineral engineering degree in 1981. She has spent her entire career at Occidental and its predecessor company Cities Service, rising through technical and management positions across the United States, Russia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. In 2019, she orchestrated Occidental's $57 billion acquisition of Anadarko Petroleum, personally securing financing from [[Warren Buffett]] to complete the deal.<ref name="anadarko">[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-anadarko-m-a-occidental-idUSKCN1S51DY Occidental to Buy Anadarko for $57 Billion], Reuters, 2019</ref>


==Early Life and Career==
== Early life and education ==
Born 1960, Birmingham, Alabama. University of Alabama BS Mineral Engineering (1981). Started 1981 with Cities Service on Mississippi oil rigs. Cities Service acquired by Occidental 1982. Rose through ranks 35+ years to CEO April 2016.


==CEO Leadership==
=== Background ===
First woman CEO of major US oil company (2016). Led controversial $38B Anadarko acquisition 2019. Committed Occidental to carbon neutrality (first major oil company with ambitious pledge covering all oil/gas sold).


==Personal Life==
Vicki A. Hollub was born in 1960 in [[Birmingham, Alabama]]. She grew up in Alabama and graduated from McAdory High School in 1977.<ref name="biography">[https://moneyinc.com/occidental-petroleum-ceo-vicki-hollub/ 10 Things About Vicki Hollub], Money Inc., 2024</ref>
Married Glenn Vige (independent oilman) 2001, second marriage. Alabama Crimson Tide football fan.


==Net Worth & Compensation==
=== Education ===
Net worth $20-48M (owns 490,672 Occidental shares). Compensation $18.5M (2024), up from $17.7M (2023). 8.4% salary, 91.6% bonuses/stock/options.


==Berkshire Hathaway Investment==
'''University of Alabama (1977–1981):'''
Warren Buffett's Berkshire owns 28.8% stake (valued $11.9B Oct 2025), plus $8B+ preferred shares paying 8% dividend. Buffett said Hollub "running company the right way" after reading earnings transcript. October 2025: Berkshire bought OxyChem for $9.7B cash (largest Berkshire deal since 2022).
Hollub attended the [[University of Alabama]], earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mineral Engineering with a concentration in fuels and mineral resources in 1981.<ref name="education">[https://business.rice.edu/person/vicki-hollub Vicki Hollub - Rice Business], Rice University</ref>


==Controversies==
In 2016, she was honored as a Distinguished Engineering Fellow by the University of Alabama College of Engineering.
**Anadarko Acquisition (2019)**: Paid $38B, assumed $46B debt total, snatched from Chevron. No shareholder vote. Carl Icahn called it "one of worst deals ever," said board bought it to save their jobs, borrowed $40B+ at "massive" 65% premium. T. Rowe Price (6th-largest shareholder) criticized.


**2020 Crisis**: $55B debt amid COVID oil crash sent prices to $20/barrel. Stock fell 75%. Moody's downgraded to junk March 2020.
== Career ==


**Vindication**: Paid off acquisition in 5 years, $58.8B market cap, quieted doubters.
=== Cities Service / Early Occidental (1981–2012) ===
 
'''Starting on oil rigs (1981):'''
Hollub began her career in 1981 working on oil rigs in Mississippi for Cities Service, at the time a fully integrated oil and gas company. This hands-on experience gave her practical understanding of drilling operations from the ground level.
 
'''Cities Service acquisition (1982):'''
In 1982, Occidental Petroleum acquired Cities Service, and Hollub continued her career with the combined company.
 
'''International assignments:'''
Over the following decades, Hollub held technical and management positions across Occidental's global operations:
* '''United States:''' Various domestic operations
* '''Russia:''' Operations in the former Soviet Union
* '''Venezuela:''' Latin American operations
* '''Ecuador:''' South American operations
 
=== Executive roles (2012–2016) ===
 
'''Executive Vice President, California Operations (2012–2013):'''
From 2012 to 2013, Hollub was Executive Vice President of Occidental's California operations.
 
'''VP and EVP, U.S. Operations (2013–2014):'''
In October 2013, she was named both Vice President of Occidental Petroleum and Executive Vice President of U.S. Operations for Oxy Oil and Gas.
 
'''President, Occidental Oil & Gas Americas (2014–2015):'''
From 2014 to May 2015, she served as Executive Vice President of Occidental Petroleum and President of Occidental Oil & Gas Corp in the Americas, with oversight of Latin American operations and worldwide exploration.
 
=== CEO (April 2016–present) ===
 
In May 2015, Occidental's board of directors selected Hollub to succeed retiring CEO Stephen Chazen. She assumed the role of President and CEO in April 2016, becoming the first woman to lead a major American oil company.<ref name="ceo-appointment">[https://www.dallasfed.org/fed/councils/energy/hollub Vicki Hollub - Dallas Fed], Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas</ref>
 
'''Industry downturn response:'''
Hollub became CEO during a severe downturn in the oil industry. Her approach included:
* Cutting production costs
* Avoiding layoffs despite industry pressures
* Focusing on core operations in the Middle East, United States, and Colombia
* Selling low-yield fields in Iraq, Libya, Yemen, North Dakota, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma
 
'''Anadarko acquisition (2019):'''
In 2019, Hollub orchestrated Occidental's $57 billion acquisition of [[Anadarko Petroleum]], assuming its debt. She personally enlisted financing from [[Warren Buffett]]'s [[Berkshire Hathaway]] to outbid [[Chevron Corporation|Chevron]] and complete the transformational deal.<ref name="anadarko"/>
 
'''Carbon management leadership:'''
Hollub has positioned Occidental as a leader in carbon capture and management, investing in direct air capture technology and positioning the company for the energy transition.
 
== Board memberships and industry leadership ==
 
'''Corporate boards:'''
* Occidental Petroleum Corporation – Board of Directors
* [[Lockheed Martin]] Corporation – Board of Directors<ref name="lockheed">[https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/leadership-governance/board-of-directors/vicki-hollub.html Vicki Hollub - Lockheed Martin], Lockheed Martin</ref>
 
'''Industry organizations:'''
* American Petroleum Institute – Board of Directors
* U.S. Secretary of Energy Advisory Board – Chair
* U.S.-Colombia Business Council – U.S. Chair
* World Economic Forum Oil and Gas Community – Chair
* Oil and Gas Climate Initiative – Member
* Khalifa University for Science and Technology (Abu Dhabi) – Board Member
 
== Recognition and honors ==
 
* '''National Academy of Engineering''' – Elected 2024, for leadership in energy company management and advocating for carbon management solutions<ref name="nae">[https://engrhof.org/aehofmembers/vicki-a-hollub/ Vicki Hollub - Engineering HOF], Engineering Hall of Fame, 2024</ref>
* '''WPC Dewhurst Award''' (2025) – For leadership and contributions to the energy industry
* '''Fortune Most Powerful Women''' – Annual recognition
* '''University of Alabama Distinguished Engineering Fellow''' (2016)
 
== See also ==
 
* [[Occidental Petroleum]]
* [[Anadarko Petroleum]]
* [[Oil industry]]
* [[Carbon capture and storage]]
 
== References ==
 
{{reflist}}
 
== External links ==
 
* [https://www.oxy.com/about-oxy/leadership Official Occidental Biography]
* [https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/5261617 Bloomberg Profile]


[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American women CEOs]]
[[Category:American chief executives]]
[[Category:Occidental Petroleum]]
[[Category:Chief executive officers]]
[[Category:American women chief executives]]
[[Category:Occidental Petroleum people]]
[[Category:University of Alabama alumni]]
[[Category:University of Alabama alumni]]
 
[[Category:People from Birmingham, Alabama]]
[[Category:Chief_executive_officers]]
[[Category:American petroleum industry businesspeople]]
[[Category:Members of the United States National Academy of Engineering]]

Revision as of 08:21, 15 December 2025

Vicki Hollub
Hollub at Occidental Petroleum, 2023
Personal details
Born Vicki A. Hollub
1960/1/1 (age 66)
🇺🇸 Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Nationality 🇺🇸 American
Citizenship 🇺🇸 United States
Residence 🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, United States
Languages 🇺🇸 English
Education University of Alabama (BS, Mineral Engineering, 1981)
Spouse Information private
Children Information private
Parents Information private
Career details
Occupation Business Executive, Petroleum Engineer
Years active 1981–present
Employer Occidental Petroleum Corporation
Title President and Chief Executive Officer
Term April 2016 – present
Predecessor Stephen Chazen
Compensation US$18.2 million (2023)[1]
Net worth Template:Increase US$50 million (estimate, December 2024)[2]
Board member of Occidental Petroleum Corporation
Lockheed Martin Corporation
American Petroleum Institute
Awards • National Academy of Engineering (2024)
• WPC Dewhurst Award (2025)
• Fortune Most Powerful Women
• University of Alabama Distinguished Engineering Fellow
Website oxy.com/about-oxy/leadership

Vicki A. Hollub (born 1960) is an American businesswoman and mineral engineer who serves as president and chief executive officer of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, one of the largest oil and gas producers in the United States.[3] When she was named CEO in 2016, she became the first woman to lead a major American oil company, a distinction she continues to hold.[4]

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Hollub started her career working on oil rigs in Mississippi after graduating from the University of Alabama with a mineral engineering degree in 1981. She has spent her entire career at Occidental and its predecessor company Cities Service, rising through technical and management positions across the United States, Russia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. In 2019, she orchestrated Occidental's $57 billion acquisition of Anadarko Petroleum, personally securing financing from Warren Buffett to complete the deal.[5]

Early life and education

Background

Vicki A. Hollub was born in 1960 in Birmingham, Alabama. She grew up in Alabama and graduated from McAdory High School in 1977.[6]

Education

University of Alabama (1977–1981): Hollub attended the University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mineral Engineering with a concentration in fuels and mineral resources in 1981.[7]

In 2016, she was honored as a Distinguished Engineering Fellow by the University of Alabama College of Engineering.

Career

Cities Service / Early Occidental (1981–2012)

Starting on oil rigs (1981): Hollub began her career in 1981 working on oil rigs in Mississippi for Cities Service, at the time a fully integrated oil and gas company. This hands-on experience gave her practical understanding of drilling operations from the ground level.

Cities Service acquisition (1982): In 1982, Occidental Petroleum acquired Cities Service, and Hollub continued her career with the combined company.

International assignments: Over the following decades, Hollub held technical and management positions across Occidental's global operations:

  • United States: Various domestic operations
  • Russia: Operations in the former Soviet Union
  • Venezuela: Latin American operations
  • Ecuador: South American operations

Executive roles (2012–2016)

Executive Vice President, California Operations (2012–2013): From 2012 to 2013, Hollub was Executive Vice President of Occidental's California operations.

VP and EVP, U.S. Operations (2013–2014): In October 2013, she was named both Vice President of Occidental Petroleum and Executive Vice President of U.S. Operations for Oxy Oil and Gas.

President, Occidental Oil & Gas Americas (2014–2015): From 2014 to May 2015, she served as Executive Vice President of Occidental Petroleum and President of Occidental Oil & Gas Corp in the Americas, with oversight of Latin American operations and worldwide exploration.

CEO (April 2016–present)

In May 2015, Occidental's board of directors selected Hollub to succeed retiring CEO Stephen Chazen. She assumed the role of President and CEO in April 2016, becoming the first woman to lead a major American oil company.[8]

Industry downturn response: Hollub became CEO during a severe downturn in the oil industry. Her approach included:

  • Cutting production costs
  • Avoiding layoffs despite industry pressures
  • Focusing on core operations in the Middle East, United States, and Colombia
  • Selling low-yield fields in Iraq, Libya, Yemen, North Dakota, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma

Anadarko acquisition (2019): In 2019, Hollub orchestrated Occidental's $57 billion acquisition of Anadarko Petroleum, assuming its debt. She personally enlisted financing from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway to outbid Chevron and complete the transformational deal.[5]

Carbon management leadership: Hollub has positioned Occidental as a leader in carbon capture and management, investing in direct air capture technology and positioning the company for the energy transition.

Board memberships and industry leadership

Corporate boards:

  • Occidental Petroleum Corporation – Board of Directors
  • Lockheed Martin Corporation – Board of Directors[9]

Industry organizations:

  • American Petroleum Institute – Board of Directors
  • U.S. Secretary of Energy Advisory Board – Chair
  • U.S.-Colombia Business Council – U.S. Chair
  • World Economic Forum Oil and Gas Community – Chair
  • Oil and Gas Climate Initiative – Member
  • Khalifa University for Science and Technology (Abu Dhabi) – Board Member

Recognition and honors

  • National Academy of Engineering – Elected 2024, for leadership in energy company management and advocating for carbon management solutions[10]
  • WPC Dewhurst Award (2025) – For leadership and contributions to the energy industry
  • Fortune Most Powerful Women – Annual recognition
  • University of Alabama Distinguished Engineering Fellow (2016)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Occidental 2024 Proxy Statement, SEC EDGAR
  2. ↑ Vicki Hollub Forbes Profile, Forbes, 2024
  3. ↑ Vicki Hollub - Leadership, Occidental Petroleum, 2024
  4. ↑ Vicki Hollub - Fortune Most Powerful Women, Fortune, 2016
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Occidental to Buy Anadarko for $57 Billion, Reuters, 2019
  6. ↑ 10 Things About Vicki Hollub, Money Inc., 2024
  7. ↑ Vicki Hollub - Rice Business, Rice University
  8. ↑ Vicki Hollub - Dallas Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
  9. ↑ Vicki Hollub - Lockheed Martin, Lockheed Martin
  10. ↑ Vicki Hollub - Engineering HOF, Engineering Hall of Fame, 2024
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