Lawrence G. Rawl

Lawrence G. Rawl (May 4, 1928 - February 14, 2005) 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, [cite web|accessdate=2007-01-08
url=http://www.coe.ou.edu/alumni/famousalumni/lrawl.htm
title= Lawrence G. Rawl (profile)
work=Famous Alumni
publisher=College of Engineering, 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 went aground in 1989. He faced criticism for his response to the resultant oil spill — his slow public response and demeanor in interviews were noted and the focus of criticism of the company.

Rawls retired from Exxon in 1993 at the mandatory retirement age of 65 after 41 years with the company. [cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE2D71F3FF931A35751C0A965958260
accessdate=2007-01-08
title=Exxon's Chief to Retire
work=New York Times
date=February 2, 1993] He died at age 76 on February 13, 2005 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Notes

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References

*cite news|url=http://www.alaskajournal.com/PalmPilot/stories/022005/oil_20050220036.html
accessdate=2007-01-08
title=Former Exxon head Lawrence G. Rawl dies at 76
work=Alaska Journal
author=Associated Press
date=February 20, 2005

*cite press release
url=http://ccbn.compuserve.com/releasetext.asp?ticker=xom&coid=115024&client=aol&release=674621
accessdate=2007-01-08
title=OBIT/Lawrence G. Rawl, Former Exxon Chairman and Philanthropist, Dies at 76
publisher=Exxon Mobil Corporation
date=February 14, 2005