Rex Tillerson

Rex Tillerson, born on March 23, 1952, is an accomplished American energy executive and former diplomat who held the position of the sixty-ninth United States Secretary of State from 2017 to 2018 under President Donald Trump. His career in the energy sector began in 1975 when he joined Exxon as a civil engineer after earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Over the years, Tillerson climbed the ranks at ExxonMobil, becoming general manager of the Exxon USA central production division by 1989. His leadership roles expanded as he served as president of Exxon Yemen Inc. and Esso Exploration and Production Khorat Inc. in 1995, and later as vice president of Exxon Ventures (CIS) and president of Exxon Neftgas Limited in 1998. In 2004, he was appointed president of Exxon Mobil Corporation, and in 2006, he ascended to the role of chairman and chief executive officer of ExxonMobil, which was recognized as the world's sixth-largest company by revenue.

In addition to his corporate achievements, Tillerson is a dedicated volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and served as the national president from 2010 to 2012. Despite being a long-time contributor to Republican campaigns, he notably did not support Donald Trump's presidential campaign. His business dealings with Russia, particularly as director of the joint United States-Russia oil company Exxon Neftegas, positioned him uniquely in the political landscape, especially when he opposed sanctions against Russia in 2014.

Tillerson's tenure as Secretary of State began on February 1, 2017, and was marked by a notable lack of visibility compared to his predecessors. His time in office saw a significant decline in new applications for the Foreign Service and the departure of several high-ranking career diplomats. Ultimately, his relationship with President Trump soured, leading to his dismissal in March 2018, after which CIA director Mike Pompeo was appointed as his successor.