Darren W. Woods
Summary
Darren W. Woods has been Exxon Mobil Corporation’s Chairman of the Board and CEO since January 1, 2017, after joining the company in 1992. ([corporate.exxonmobil.com](https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/corporate-governance/board-of-directors/darren-woods?utm_source=openai))
Biography
Woods earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He joined Exxon Company International in 1992 as a planning analyst and later held domestic and international assignments across ExxonMobil’s chemical, refining, supply, and international businesses. ([corporate.exxonmobil.com](https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/news/news-releases/2016/1214_rex-tillerson-to-retire-darren-woods-elected-chairman-ceo-of-exxon-mobil-corporation?utm_source=openai)) Before becoming CEO, Woods served as president of ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Company, senior vice president, and then president of ExxonMobil. He became chairman and CEO effective January 1, 2017, succeeding Rex Tillerson. Under Woods, ExxonMobil has emphasized upstream growth, integrated operations, cost reductions, shareholder distributions, and the development of lower-carbon businesses such as carbon capture and hydrogen. ([corporate.exxonmobil.com](https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/corporate-governance/board-of-directors/darren-woods?utm_source=openai))
Notable achievements
- Led ExxonMobil’s approximately $60 billion acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources, completed in May 2024, expanding the company’s position in the Permian Basin. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/exxon-mobil-completes-60-billion-deal-for-pioneer-natural-3418504?utm_source=openai))
- Oversaw a company-wide restructuring and efficiency program that ExxonMobil says created a lower-cost, more integrated operating model. ([investor.exxonmobil.com](https://investor.exxonmobil.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0000034088-26-000033/0000034088-26-000033.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Expanded ExxonMobil’s Guyana operations, which became a major source of production growth for the company. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/commodities-news/exxon-to-expand-oil-and-gas-output-in-guyana-seeks-permit-for-longtail-project-3865020?utm_source=openai))
- Made carbon capture, hydrogen, lower-emissions fuels, and related technologies central parts of ExxonMobil’s lower-carbon business strategy. ([corporate.exxonmobil.com](https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/news/viewpoints/investing-15-billion-lower-carbon-future?utm_source=openai))
- Maintained a capital-allocation strategy focused on advantaged oil and gas projects, shareholder returns, and selected new businesses. ([corporate.exxonmobil.com](https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/news/news-releases/2024/1211_exxonmobil-announces-plans-to-2030-that-build-on-its-unique-advantages?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- Climate-focused investors have criticized Woods and ExxonMobil for prioritizing oil and gas expansion over faster reductions in fossil-fuel use and emissions. ([corporate.exxonmobil.com](https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/news/viewpoints/reframing-the-climate-challenge?utm_source=openai))
- In January 2024, ExxonMobil sued to block a climate-related shareholder proposal, drawing criticism from shareholder-rights advocates and some institutional investors. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/commodities-news/exxon-files-lawsuit-against-investors-climate-proposal-3279042?utm_source=openai))
- The Pioneer transaction required a Federal Trade Commission consent order that barred Pioneer’s former CEO from joining ExxonMobil’s board after regulators cited alleged anticompetitive conduct involving oil-production discussions. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/us-ftc-order-bans-exxon-mobil-pioneer-natural-resources-deal-3414501?utm_source=openai))
- ExxonMobil’s expanding Guyana operations have faced scrutiny over environmental monitoring, spill liability, contract economics, and disputes concerning recoverable expenses. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/0cf47e8adbc3c1e881d9fe8ec3d7e60b?utm_source=openai))