We're loading the complete profile of this person of interest including their biography, achievements, and contributions.

Chairman & CEO, ExxonMobil
Public Views
Experience
Documented career positions
Darren Wayne Woods is an American business executive who has served as the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of ExxonMobil Corporation since January 1, 2017. A career veteran of the company, Woods is recognized for steering the global energy giant through a period of significant volatility in the energy markets, focusing on cost efficiency, strategic acquisitions, and a balanced approach to the global energy transition. Born on December 16, 1965, in Wichita, Kansas, Woods spent much of his childhood living in various locations as his father worked for a military supplier. His educational background formed the bedrock of his technical and managerial approach to the oil and gas industry. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University, where he was an active member of the Corps of Cadets. Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued advanced business training, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Woods’ career at ExxonMobil spans over three decades, beginning in 1992 when he joined Exxon Company International as a planning analyst. Over the next 24 years, he steadily climbed the corporate ladder, gaining extensive experience across the company’s diverse operations, including chemical manufacturing, refining, and supply chain management. His ascent was marked by his oversight of the company's refining and chemical divisions, where he developed a reputation for operational rigor and financial discipline. In 2005, he was appointed vice president of the ExxonMobil Chemical Company, and later served as director of refining for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. By 2012, he had been promoted to president of ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Company and a vice president of the parent corporation. He was elected as a senior vice president in 2014, and by January 1, 2016, he became president of ExxonMobil and a member of the board of directors. On January 1, 2017, Woods succeeded Rex Tillerson as chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil after Tillerson was nominated for the position of U.S. Secretary of State. Unlike his predecessor, whose background was heavily rooted in upstream exploration and deal-making, Woods brought a deep background in refining and downstream operations. Under his leadership, the company has prioritized high-return investments, particularly in the Permian Basin and Guyana, while navigating the complexities of fluctuating oil prices and geopolitical tensions. One of the defining moments of his tenure was the acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources in 2024, a move designed to significantly bolster the company's shale production capabilities. Woods has also been a central figure in defining ExxonMobil’s long-term strategy regarding climate change. He has publicly advocated for pragmatic approaches to the energy transition, including investments in carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen, and direct air capture technologies. While his leadership has faced scrutiny from environmental activists and certain shareholders regarding the pace of the company's decarbonization, Woods has consistently argued that the global energy system requires reliable, cost-effective solutions that include hydrocarbons alongside lower-emission technologies. He has also maintained a disciplined, business-first stance in his interactions with government officials, emphasizing that ExxonMobil’s operational decisions are guided by economic realities rather than political agendas. Beyond his corporate duties, Woods has served on the board of directors of the American Petroleum Institute and the board of trustees for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cementing his role as a prominent voice in the American energy sector.
CEO of ExxonMobil (2017–Present), leading the corporation to post the highest annual profits in the history of the Western oil industry in the mid-2020s
Executed the $60 billion acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources, establishing absolute dominance over US shale oil production in the Permian Basin
Aggressively expanded Exxon's massive offshore deepwater oil developments in Guyana, fundamentally altering the economic trajectory of the South American nation
Universally despised by global climate activists, who frequently protest Exxon's headquarters and accuse Woods of orchestrating massive, multi-decade corporate disinformation campaigns to obscure the catastrophic realities of climate change
Sued a group of activist shareholders (including Arjuna Capital) in 2024 to aggressively block them from introducing climate-related proposals at the annual shareholder meeting, a deeply controversial move that enraged corporate governance advocates
Frequently criticized for prioritizing massive stock buybacks and dividend payouts to Wall Street rather than making genuine, large-scale investments in renewable energy transitions
News articles featuring Darren Woods
Launched the 'Low Carbon Solutions' business unit, heavily investing in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology and direct lithium extraction
Joined Exxon Company International in 1992 as a planning analyst in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Appointed vice president of ExxonMobil Chemical Company in 2005, managing global specialty-chemical businesses.
Named director of refining for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East for ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Company in 2008.
Appointed vice president of supply and transportation for ExxonMobil in 2010.
Appointed president of ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Company and vice president of Exxon Mobil Corporation in 2012.
Elected senior vice president of Exxon Mobil Corporation in 2014.
Elected president and member of the board of directors of Exxon Mobil Corporation, effective January 1, 2016.
Appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ExxonMobil, effective January 1, 2017.
Named to Barron's list of the World's 100 Most Influential People in Finance in 2018.
Oversaw the establishment of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions in 2021 to advance carbon capture and storage technologies.
Honored with a STEM leadership award by Chemical Marketing & Economics in 2023 for advancing chemistry to benefit humanity.
Named Energy Intelligence's 'Energy Executive of the Year' for 2024 in recognition of his strategic guidance on oil and gas portfolio growth and energy transition businesses.
Received the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center's Award for Outstanding Excellence in the Energy Industry in 2025.
In October 2021, Woods testified before the U.S. House Oversight Committee during a landmark hearing investigating the fossil fuel industry's role in spreading climate disinformation. During the proceedings, he faced accusations from lawmakers and activists of misleading the public regarding the company's historical knowledge of climate change.
In 2021, activist hedge fund Engine No. 1 launched a successful proxy campaign against ExxonMobil, securing seats on the company's board. The campaign criticized Woods and the company's leadership for their perceived failure to adapt to climate risks and adequately address the energy transition.
In June 2021, Woods faced criticism after a Greenpeace-leaked video showed an ExxonMobil lobbyist admitting that the company's public support for a carbon tax was merely a 'talking point' rather than a genuine policy goal. Woods subsequently issued an apology and stated the comments did not reflect the company's positions.
In 2024, Woods drew backlash from climate advocates and experts for comments suggesting the public was to blame for the slow pace of the energy transition, specifically stating that consumers were unwilling to pay the necessary costs. Critics labeled these remarks as 'gaslighting' and an attempt to shift responsibility away from the company's role in fossil fuel production.
In January 2025, ExxonMobil filed a lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alleging defamation. This action came as a counter-move to a September 2024 lawsuit filed by the state of California, which accused the company of deceiving the public for decades regarding the viability and efficacy of plastic recycling technology.