Lawrence G. Rawl
Encyclopedia
Lawrence G. Rawl was the Chairman and CEO
of Exxon
from 1985 to 1993.
Rawl was born in New Jersey in 1928. Toward the end of World War II
, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Marine Corps
.In 1952, graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in petroleum engineering
from the University of Oklahoma
, joining Humble Oil and Refining
as drilling engineer.
By 1980, he was named a senior vice president and director of Exxon Corporation. In 1985, he was named president of the corporation; and in 1987, he became chairman and CEO. During his tenure as head of Exxon, he moved the corporate headquarters from New York to Irving, Texas
, increased reserves, and expanded the chemical operations of the corporation.
He was at the helm of the company when the Exxon Valdez oil spill
went occurred in 1989. He faced criticism for his response to the oil spill — his slow public response and demeanor in interviews were noted and the focus of criticism of the company.
Rawl retired from Exxon in 1993 at the mandatory retirement age of 65 after 41 years with the company. He died at age 76 on February 13, 2005 in Fort Worth
, Texas
.
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
of Exxon
Exxon
Exxon is a chain of gas stations as well as a brand of motor fuel and related products by ExxonMobil. From 1972 to 1999, Exxon was the corporate name of the company previously known as Standard Oil Company of New Jersey or Jersey Standard....
from 1985 to 1993.
Rawl was born in New Jersey in 1928. Toward the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
.In 1952, graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in petroleum engineering
Petroleum engineering
Petroleum engineering is an engineering discipline concerned with the activities related to the production of hydrocarbons, which can be either crude oil or natural gas. Subsurface activities are deemed to fall within the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, which are the activities of...
from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, joining Humble Oil and Refining
Humble Oil
Humble Oil and Refining Co. was founded in 1911. The company would later consolidate with Standard Oil of New Jersey to become Exxon.-Early history:...
as drilling engineer.
By 1980, he was named a senior vice president and director of Exxon Corporation. In 1985, he was named president of the corporation; and in 1987, he became chairman and CEO. During his tenure as head of Exxon, he moved the corporate headquarters from New York to Irving, Texas
Irving, Texas
Irving is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas within Dallas County. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city population was 216,290. Irving is within the Dallas–Plano–Irving metropolitan division of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area, designated...
, increased reserves, and expanded the chemical operations of the corporation.
He was at the helm of the company when the Exxon Valdez oil spill
Exxon Valdez oil spill
The Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska, on March 24, 1989, when the Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker bound for Long Beach, California, struck Prince William Sound's Bligh Reef and spilled of crude oil. It is considered to be one of the most devastating human-caused...
went occurred in 1989. He faced criticism for his response to the oil spill — his slow public response and demeanor in interviews were noted and the focus of criticism of the company.
Rawl retired from Exxon in 1993 at the mandatory retirement age of 65 after 41 years with the company. He died at age 76 on February 13, 2005 in Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.