CEO Today Top 50 – Darren Woods

By CEO Today On Jul 12, 2024 Last Updated 21st July 2024

CEO Top 50

Name: Darren Woods

Net worth: Approx. $155 million Executive pay: $36.9 million

Bio: Darren Wayne Woods (born December 16, 1965) is an American businessman who is the chief executive officer (CEO) and chairman of ExxonMobil since January 1, 2017. Woods hails from Wichita, Kansas. He completed his undergraduate studies in electrical engineering at Texas A&M University, and later obtained an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Woods became a part of Exxon in 1992. He accumulated 24 years of experience working for Exxon before being appointed as CEO after Rex Tillerson was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the next United States Secretary of State. Unlike his predecessor who focused on deal making and exploration, Woods has extensive experience in the refining sector of the oil industry. Before taking on the role of CEO, Woods oversaw the refining and chemical divisions of the company, which contributed significantly to ExxonMobil’s $7.8 billion net income in 2016.

Quote: “In running this business, we must take a long-term view and then manage the business so it’s robust in the face of the severe commodity cycles we’ve historically experienced.” – Darren Woods

CEO Fact: Woods has said that the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing has “shattered the Peak Oil myth”. Woods has publicly endorsed the Paris climate accord. The accord commits nations to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.