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Rex Tillerson
Former CEO of ExxonMobil / Former Secretary of State
Corporate Executive / Cabinet Secretary
Overview
CEO of ExxonMobil (2006-2017) who led the world's largest publicly traded oil company during the critical period when internal scientists confirmed climate change while the company funded disinformation campaigns to deny it. Under Tillerson's leadership, ExxonMobil used a separate set of climate projections internally for business planning while publicly casting doubt on climate science. Later served as Secretary of State (2017-2018) under Trump, where he gutted the State Department, eliminating critical positions and undermining American diplomacy. Received the Order of Friendship from Vladimir Putin while CEO.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Led ExxonMobil while company funded climate denial despite internal scientists confirming climate change since the 1970s
ExxonMobil under his leadership used separate climate projections internally while publicly denying climate science
Company spent millions funding climate denial organizations including the Heartland Institute and American Petroleum Institute
Received Russia's Order of Friendship from Vladimir Putin in 2013 for Exxon-Rosneft Arctic drilling partnership
Negotiated $500 billion Exxon-Rosneft deal disrupted by Russia sanctions; advocated against Russian sanctions
As Secretary of State, gutted State Department leaving 60% of senior positions vacant and forcing out career diplomats
Proposed 30% cut to State Department budget; eliminated Special Envoy for Climate Change position
Fired by Trump via tweet in March 2018; reportedly called Trump a moron in private
New York AG sued ExxonMobil (later dropped some charges) for using two sets of climate cost books
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
2 documented violations
Martin Act (NY) / Securities FraudNew York AG alleged ExxonMobil misled investors about climate change costs using dual accounting; case partially resolved(financial)
Public Trust Doctrine - Climate DeceptionLed company that knowingly funded climate disinformation while internal models accurately predicted warming contributing to global crisis(ethics)
Known Associates & Connections
Lee Raymond
Predecessor as ExxonMobil CEO who established the climate denial playbook Tillerson continued
Vladimir Putin
Russian president who awarded Tillerson Order of Friendship for Exxon-Rosneft partnership
Donald Trump
President who appointed and later fired Tillerson as Secretary of State
Sources & Documentation
3 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
InsideClimate News: Exxon - The Road Not Taken(2015)
Senate Foreign Relations Committee: Tillerson Confirmation Hearing(2017)
New York AG: People v. ExxonMobil Corp.(2018)
Personal Information
- Born
- 1952-03-23
- Birthplace
- Wichita Falls, Texas
- Also Known As
- T-Rex (State Department nickname)
Education
- •B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (1975)
Key Timeline
1975
Joins Exxon as production engineer; spends entire 42-year career at the company
2006-01-01
Becomes Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, the world's largest publicly traded oil company
2006-2016
Leads ExxonMobil through period of massive profits while funding climate denial infrastructure
2012
Negotiates $500 billion Exxon-Rosneft Arctic drilling partnership with Russia
2013
Receives Russia's Order of Friendship from Vladimir Putin
2015
InsideClimate News and LA Times expose ExxonKnew: company's own scientists confirmed climate change decades ago
2017-02-01
Confirmed as Secretary of State; immediately begins restructuring that guts the department
2018-03-13
Fired as Secretary of State via Trump tweet; reportedly called Trump a moron
2018-2023
Multiple state AGs launch investigations and lawsuits against ExxonMobil for climate deception during Tillerson era