Rex Tillerson: Difference between revisions
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| alma_mater = [[University of Texas at Austin]] | | alma_mater = [[University of Texas at Austin]] | ||
| occupation = Business executive, diplomat | | occupation = Business executive, diplomat | ||
| years_active = | | years_active = 1975-2018 | ||
| title = 69th [[United States Secretary of State]] ( | | title = 69th [[United States Secretary of State]] (2017-2018)<br>Chairman and CEO, [[ExxonMobil]] (2006-2016) | ||
| spouse = Jamie Lee Henry (divorced)<br>Renda St. Clair (m. 1986) | | spouse = Jamie Lee Henry (divorced)<br>Renda St. Clair (m. 1986) | ||
| children = 4 (including twins from first marriage) | | children = 4 (including twins from first marriage) | ||
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Rex Wayne Tillerson was born on March 23, 1952, in Wichita Falls, Texas. His name was inspired by two Hollywood Western stars: [[Rex Allen]] and [[John Wayne]].<ref name="bio">Biography.com, "Rex Tillerson Biography"</ref> His father, Bobby Joe Tillerson, worked as a bread delivery truck driver before becoming an executive with the [[Boy Scouts of America]]. His mother, Patty Sue (née Patton), was a homemaker.<ref name="cnn">CNN, "Rex Tillerson Fast Facts"</ref> | Rex Wayne Tillerson was born on March 23, 1952, in Wichita Falls, Texas. His name was inspired by two Hollywood Western stars: [[Rex Allen]] and [[John Wayne]].<ref name="bio">Biography.com, "Rex Tillerson Biography"</ref> His father, Bobby Joe Tillerson, worked as a bread delivery truck driver before becoming an executive with the [[Boy Scouts of America]]. His mother, Patty Sue (née Patton), was a homemaker.<ref name="cnn">CNN, "Rex Tillerson Fast Facts"</ref> | ||
The family moved frequently during Tillerson's childhood, living in various locations across Texas and | The family moved frequently during Tillerson's childhood, living in various locations across Texas and Oklahoma - two of the country's leading petroleum-producing states. This exposure to the oil industry would later shape his career path. He began taking odd jobs at age fourteen to help support his family.<ref name="famouspeople">TheFamousPeople.com, "Rex Tillerson Biography"</ref> | ||
Tillerson became an Eagle Scout in 1965, a distinction that would remain central to his identity throughout his life. He has credited scouting with teaching him leadership principles that guided his career.<ref name="state">Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State</ref> | Tillerson became an Eagle Scout in 1965, a distinction that would remain central to his identity throughout his life. He has credited scouting with teaching him leadership principles that guided his career.<ref name="state">Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State</ref> | ||
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== ExxonMobil career == | == ExxonMobil career == | ||
=== Early career ( | === Early career (1975-1995) === | ||
Tillerson joined Exxon Company, U.S.A., as a production engineer immediately after graduating from college in 1975. He worked in various production and engineering roles throughout the company's domestic and international operations over the following two decades. | Tillerson joined Exxon Company, U.S.A., as a production engineer immediately after graduating from college in 1975. He worked in various production and engineering roles throughout the company's domestic and international operations over the following two decades. | ||
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By 1989, he had risen to the position of general manager of the Exxon USA Central Production Division, overseeing oil and gas production operations across several states.<ref name="state"/> | By 1989, he had risen to the position of general manager of the Exxon USA Central Production Division, overseeing oil and gas production operations across several states.<ref name="state"/> | ||
=== International expansion ( | === International expansion (1995-2004) === | ||
In 1995, Tillerson was appointed president of Exxon Yemen Inc. | In 1995, Tillerson was appointed president of Exxon Yemen Inc. And Esso Exploration and Production Khorat Inc., marking his transition into international leadership roles. These positions gave him experience managing complex operations in challenging geopolitical environments. | ||
In 1998, he took on one of the most consequential roles of his career: vice president of Exxon Ventures (CIS) and president of Exxon Neftgas Limited. In this capacity, he managed the company's holdings in Russia and the Caspian Sea region, including the massive Sakhalin-1 project off Russia's Pacific coast. This assignment required extensive negotiations with Russian government officials and state-owned companies, and Tillerson developed a working relationship with [[Vladimir Putin]] that would later prove both beneficial to ExxonMobil and controversial for Tillerson personally.<ref name="cnn_russia">CNN Money, "Behind the deep ties between Exxon's Rex Tillerson and Russia"</ref> | In 1998, he took on one of the most consequential roles of his career: vice president of Exxon Ventures (CIS) and president of Exxon Neftgas Limited. In this capacity, he managed the company's holdings in Russia and the Caspian Sea region, including the massive Sakhalin-1 project off Russia's Pacific coast. This assignment required extensive negotiations with Russian government officials and state-owned companies, and Tillerson developed a working relationship with [[Vladimir Putin]] that would later prove both beneficial to ExxonMobil and controversial for Tillerson personally.<ref name="cnn_russia">CNN Money, "Behind the deep ties between Exxon's Rex Tillerson and Russia"</ref> | ||
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The Sakhalin-1 project became one of the largest foreign investments in Russia, involving a consortium led by ExxonMobil with a 30 percent stake. The project required navigating Russia's complex regulatory environment and building relationships at the highest levels of government. | The Sakhalin-1 project became one of the largest foreign investments in Russia, involving a consortium led by ExxonMobil with a 30 percent stake. The project required navigating Russia's complex regulatory environment and building relationships at the highest levels of government. | ||
=== President and CEO ( | === President and CEO (2004-2016) === | ||
In 2004, Tillerson was appointed president of Exxon Mobil Corporation, putting him in line to succeed CEO [[Lee Raymond]]. On January 1, 2006, he assumed the roles of chairman and chief executive officer, becoming the leader of the world's largest publicly traded oil company.<ref name="britannica">Britannica Money, "Rex W. Tillerson"</ref> | In 2004, Tillerson was appointed president of Exxon Mobil Corporation, putting him in line to succeed CEO [[Lee Raymond]]. On January 1, 2006, he assumed the roles of chairman and chief executive officer, becoming the leader of the world's largest publicly traded oil company.<ref name="britannica">Britannica Money, "Rex W. Tillerson"</ref> | ||
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Tillerson's compensation as CEO was substantial, peaking at $40.5 million in 2012. When he left ExxonMobil to join the Trump administration, he received a retirement package valued at approximately $180 million.<ref name="mabumbe">Mabumbe, "Rex Tillerson: Age, Net Worth, Family, and Career Highlights"</ref> | Tillerson's compensation as CEO was substantial, peaking at $40.5 million in 2012. When he left ExxonMobil to join the Trump administration, he received a retirement package valued at approximately $180 million.<ref name="mabumbe">Mabumbe, "Rex Tillerson: Age, Net Worth, Family, and Career Highlights"</ref> | ||
== Secretary of State ( | == Secretary of State (2017-2018) == | ||
=== Nomination and confirmation === | === Nomination and confirmation === | ||
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Democrats suggested Tillerson was fired for being too tough on Russia. House Minority Leader [[Nancy Pelosi]] stated that "Secretary Tillerson's firing sets a profoundly disturbing precedent in which standing up for our allies against Russian aggression is grounds for a humiliating dismissal."<ref name="wapo"/> | Democrats suggested Tillerson was fired for being too tough on Russia. House Minority Leader [[Nancy Pelosi]] stated that "Secretary Tillerson's firing sets a profoundly disturbing precedent in which standing up for our allies against Russian aggression is grounds for a humiliating dismissal."<ref name="wapo"/> | ||
Tillerson learned of his dismissal while on a trip to Africa, reportedly receiving a phone call from White House Chief of Staff [[John Kelly]] shortly before the Twitter announcement. The circumstances of his | Tillerson learned of his dismissal while on a trip to Africa, reportedly receiving a phone call from White House Chief of Staff [[John Kelly]] shortly before the Twitter announcement. The circumstances of his firing - via social media while traveling abroad - were widely criticized as undignified. | ||
=== Post-government disputes === | === Post-government disputes === | ||
Latest revision as of 07:54, 22 December 2025
Rex Wayne Tillerson (born March 23, 1952) is an American business executive and diplomat who served as the 69th United States Secretary of State from February 2017 to March 2018 under President Donald Trump. Prior to his government service, Tillerson spent his entire 41-year career at ExxonMobil, serving as the company's chairman and chief executive officer from 2006 to 2016. He was the first Secretary of State with no prior experience in government or the military.
Tillerson's tenure at the State Department was marked by significant clashes with President Trump over foreign policy, particularly regarding North Korea and Russia. He was abruptly dismissed via Twitter in March 2018 after publicly contradicting the president on several occasions and reportedly calling Trump a "moron." His nomination had been controversial from the start due to his close business ties with Russia, including a personal relationship with President Vladimir Putin that earned him Russia's Order of Friendship in 2013.
Early life and education
Rex Wayne Tillerson was born on March 23, 1952, in Wichita Falls, Texas. His name was inspired by two Hollywood Western stars: Rex Allen and John Wayne.[1] His father, Bobby Joe Tillerson, worked as a bread delivery truck driver before becoming an executive with the Boy Scouts of America. His mother, Patty Sue (née Patton), was a homemaker.[2]
The family moved frequently during Tillerson's childhood, living in various locations across Texas and Oklahoma - two of the country's leading petroleum-producing states. This exposure to the oil industry would later shape his career path. He began taking odd jobs at age fourteen to help support his family.[3]
Tillerson became an Eagle Scout in 1965, a distinction that would remain central to his identity throughout his life. He has credited scouting with teaching him leadership principles that guided his career.[4]
After graduating from high school, Tillerson enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied civil engineering. He reportedly decided to pursue engineering while working as a janitor at an engineering building at the University of Oklahoma.[3] He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1975.
ExxonMobil career
Early career (1975-1995)
Tillerson joined Exxon Company, U.S.A., as a production engineer immediately after graduating from college in 1975. He worked in various production and engineering roles throughout the company's domestic and international operations over the following two decades.
By 1989, he had risen to the position of general manager of the Exxon USA Central Production Division, overseeing oil and gas production operations across several states.[4]
International expansion (1995-2004)
In 1995, Tillerson was appointed president of Exxon Yemen Inc. And Esso Exploration and Production Khorat Inc., marking his transition into international leadership roles. These positions gave him experience managing complex operations in challenging geopolitical environments.
In 1998, he took on one of the most consequential roles of his career: vice president of Exxon Ventures (CIS) and president of Exxon Neftgas Limited. In this capacity, he managed the company's holdings in Russia and the Caspian Sea region, including the massive Sakhalin-1 project off Russia's Pacific coast. This assignment required extensive negotiations with Russian government officials and state-owned companies, and Tillerson developed a working relationship with Vladimir Putin that would later prove both beneficial to ExxonMobil and controversial for Tillerson personally.[5]
The Sakhalin-1 project became one of the largest foreign investments in Russia, involving a consortium led by ExxonMobil with a 30 percent stake. The project required navigating Russia's complex regulatory environment and building relationships at the highest levels of government.
President and CEO (2004-2016)
In 2004, Tillerson was appointed president of Exxon Mobil Corporation, putting him in line to succeed CEO Lee Raymond. On January 1, 2006, he assumed the roles of chairman and chief executive officer, becoming the leader of the world's largest publicly traded oil company.[6]
Under Tillerson's leadership, ExxonMobil expanded its global operations and maintained its position as one of the world's most profitable companies. The company reported record profits of $45.2 billion in 2008, driven by high oil prices. Tillerson oversaw significant investments in liquefied natural gas projects and unconventional oil and gas development, including shale operations.
A major focus of Tillerson's tenure was expanding ExxonMobil's presence in Russia. In 2011, ExxonMobil and the Russian state oil company Rosneft signed a strategic cooperation agreement worth an estimated $500 billion to develop oil fields in the Russian Arctic, the Black Sea, and Siberia. The deal represented the largest foreign direct investment in Russian history.[5]
Putin personally presided over the signing ceremony, and in 2013 he awarded Tillerson the Order of Friendship, one of Russia's highest honors for foreign citizens, for his contributions to developing cooperation in the energy sector.[7]
The ExxonMobil-Rosneft partnership was suspended in 2014 following Western sanctions imposed on Russia after its annexation of Crimea. The sanctions directly impacted projects Tillerson had championed, and ExxonMobil was forced to withdraw from joint ventures with Rosneft in 2018, taking a $200 million write-off.
Tillerson's compensation as CEO was substantial, peaking at $40.5 million in 2012. When he left ExxonMobil to join the Trump administration, he received a retirement package valued at approximately $180 million.[8]
Secretary of State (2017-2018)
Nomination and confirmation
President-elect Donald Trump announced Tillerson's nomination as Secretary of State on December 13, 2016. The selection surprised many observers, as Tillerson had no prior government or military experience. He was recommended for the position by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, both of whom had consulting relationships with ExxonMobil.[4]
The nomination faced significant opposition due to Tillerson's close ties to Russia. Senator Lindsey Graham stated, "If you received an award from the Kremlin, Order of Friendship, then we're gonna have some talkin'."[9] Senator Marco Rubio initially opposed the nomination but ultimately voted for confirmation.
The Senate confirmed Tillerson on February 1, 2017, by a vote of 56-43, making him the first Secretary of State to have led a major publicly traded corporation.
Tenure
Tillerson's time at the State Department was characterized by dysfunction, understaffing, and frequent clashes with the White House. He presided over a significant reduction in the State Department's professional workforce, with numerous senior diplomats resigning or being pushed out. Critics accused him of hollowing out the diplomatic corps and damaging American foreign policy capacity.
On policy issues, Tillerson often found himself at odds with President Trump. Most notably, he advocated for diplomatic engagement with North Korea while Trump threatened "fire and fury" and dismissed Tillerson's diplomatic efforts as "wasting his time." Tillerson also took a harder line against Russia than Trump, particularly regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.[10]
In October 2017, NBC News reported that Tillerson had called Trump a "moron" following a meeting at the Pentagon. Tillerson declined to directly deny the report, instead offering what observers called a non-denial denial. The incident further strained his relationship with the president.[11]
Dismissal
On March 13, 2018, Trump announced via Twitter that he was replacing Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. The announcement came just hours after Tillerson had issued his strongest condemnation of Russia to date, stating that a nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain "clearly came from Russia" and calling Russia "an irresponsible force of instability in the world."[10]
Democrats suggested Tillerson was fired for being too tough on Russia. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi stated that "Secretary Tillerson's firing sets a profoundly disturbing precedent in which standing up for our allies against Russian aggression is grounds for a humiliating dismissal."[10]
Tillerson learned of his dismissal while on a trip to Africa, reportedly receiving a phone call from White House Chief of Staff John Kelly shortly before the Twitter announcement. The circumstances of his firing - via social media while traveling abroad - were widely criticized as undignified.
Post-government disputes
Relations between Tillerson and Trump deteriorated further after Tillerson left office. In December 2018, Tillerson told lawmakers that Putin had "out-prepared" Trump in their 2017 meeting in Hamburg, Germany. Trump responded by calling Tillerson "dumb as a rock" and "lazy as hell."[12]
Putin himself commented on Tillerson's changed stance toward Russia, stating at an economic forum: "We have given Rex Tillerson an Order of Friendship some time ago. But it seems he has fallen in with the wrong crowd and is now steering in a different direction."[7]
Controversies
Russia ties
Tillerson's close relationship with Russia was controversial throughout his public career. Critics argued that his personal and business ties to Putin and Russian oil interests created potential conflicts of interest. During his confirmation hearings, he declined to characterize Putin as a war criminal despite Putin's military actions in Syria and Ukraine.[5]
The Order of Friendship award from Putin became a symbol of concerns about Tillerson's independence on Russia policy. Supporters argued that his experience negotiating with Russian officials made him uniquely qualified to manage the U.S.-Russia relationship, while critics saw it as evidence of compromising relationships.
Climate change and ExxonMobil
Under Tillerson's leadership, ExxonMobil faced investigations by multiple state attorneys general regarding the company's public statements about climate change. Investigations by InsideClimate News and others revealed that ExxonMobil scientists had documented the risks of climate change as early as the 1970s, but the company had subsequently funded climate change denial efforts.[13]
In 2018, New York Attorney General Letitia James sued ExxonMobil, alleging the company had defrauded shareholders by maintaining two sets of books that underestimated climate change-related regulatory costs. Tillerson testified at trial in October 2019, denying that the company had misled investors. He stated, "We knew it was a serious issue and we knew it was one that's going to be with us now forever more."[14] The judge ultimately ruled in ExxonMobil's favor, finding insufficient evidence of fraud.
Investigators also discovered that Tillerson had used an email alias, "Wayne Tracker" (his middle name), to discuss climate-related issues from at least 2008 through 2015. New York investigators claimed ExxonMobil had concealed these emails despite a subpoena, and that up to seven years of messages may have been deleted.[15]
In 2013, responding to a shareholder resolution calling for emissions reductions, Tillerson asked, "What good is it to save the planet if humanity suffers?"[16]
Boy Scouts of America
Tillerson maintained a lifelong involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1965 and later received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He served on the BSA's Executive Committee and was elected National President of the Boy Scouts from 2010 to 2012.[4]
As a member of the BSA executive board, Tillerson advocated for the inclusion of gay youth in scouting, a position that was controversial within the organization. The BSA voted to allow gay youth members in 2013.[17]
Personal life
Tillerson has been married twice. His first wife was Jamie Lee Henry, a high school bandmate. They married after Tillerson graduated from college and had twin sons before divorcing.[17]
In 1986, Tillerson married Renda St. Clair in Harris County, Texas. Renda had a son from a previous marriage whom Tillerson adopted. The couple had another son together in 1988, Tyler Tillerson, who later became a Senior District Executive in the Boy Scouts of America.[17]
The Tillersons own Bar RR Ranches LLC, an 83-acre property in Bartonville, Texas, valued at approximately $5 million. The ranch includes horse stables and training facilities, where they breed and train cutting horses. They also raise Black Angus cattle. Renda Tillerson was recognized with the 2012 Fern Sawyer Award by the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.[18]
The family attends St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Denton, Texas. Since leaving government, Tillerson has maintained a low public profile, focusing on his ranching operations and occasionally speaking at events about leadership and diplomacy.[19]
Tillerson's net worth is estimated at approximately $300 million, primarily derived from his ExxonMobil compensation and retirement package.[8]
References
- ↑ Biography.com, "Rex Tillerson Biography"
- ↑ CNN, "Rex Tillerson Fast Facts"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 TheFamousPeople.com, "Rex Tillerson Biography"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 CNN Money, "Behind the deep ties between Exxon's Rex Tillerson and Russia"
- ↑ Britannica Money, "Rex W. Tillerson"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Radio Free Europe, "Putin Says Tillerson Has 'Fallen In With Wrong Crowd'"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Mabumbe, "Rex Tillerson: Age, Net Worth, Family, and Career Highlights"
- ↑ Newsweek, "Putin Regrets Awarding Tillerson 'Order of Friendship'"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 The Washington Post, "Did Trump fire Tillerson because he was too anti-Russia?"
- ↑ TIME, "Why Donald Trump Fired Rex Tillerson"
- ↑ ABC News, "Trump again calls Tillerson 'dumb as a rock'"
- ↑ Inside Climate News, "Rex Tillerson Testifies, Denying Exxon Misled Investors About Climate Risk"
- ↑ CNBC, "Former Exxon chief says company had no incentive to downplay costs"
- ↑ Inside Climate News, "Exxon Concealed Tillerson's 'Alias' Emails From NY Climate Fraud Probe"
- ↑ DeSmog, "Rex Tillerson"
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Heavy, "Rex Tillerson's Wife, Renda St. Clair, & Family"
- ↑ WAGCENTER, "Renda St. Clair 5 Facts about Rex Tillerson's Wife"
- ↑ World Affairs Council, "CEO to Statesman: Leadership Journey in Business and Diplomacy"