Darren Woods

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ExxonMobil

Last Reviewed: October 1, 2026

Executive Summary

Darren Woods has led ExxonMobil as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since January 2017. An electrical engineer with an MBA, he joined Exxon in 1992 as a planning analyst and built his career in the chemical and refining businesses before running ExxonMobil Refining and Supply and then becoming the corporation’s president in 2016. In July 2026 ExxonMobil completed its redomiciliation to Texas, with ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation replacing Exxon Mobil Corporation as the listed parent and Woods continuing as chairman and chief executive. In the second quarter of 2026 ExxonMobil earned $14.5 billion. ExxonMobil ranked No. 9 on the 2026 Fortune 500.

Career Highlights

• Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ExxonMobil since 1 January 2017.
• President and director from 1 January 2016.
• Senior Vice President from 2014.
• President of ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Company from 2012.
• Joined Exxon Company International in 1992 as a planning analyst.

Professional Journey

Woods earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering at Texas A&M University and an MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He joined Exxon Company International in 1992 as a planning analyst in Florham Park, New Jersey, and progressed through roles in ExxonMobil’s chemical and refining businesses.

In 2005 he became vice president of ExxonMobil Chemical Company, managing its global specialty-chemical businesses. He was director of refining for Europe, Africa and the Middle East from 2008, based in Brussels, and vice president of supply and transportation from 2010. In 2012 he became president of ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Company and a vice president of the corporation, and in 2014 a senior vice president.

He became President and a director on 1 January 2016, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer on 1 January 2017. In 2026 ExxonMobil reorganised under a new Texas parent, ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation, where he holds the same roles. He serves on the boards of the American Petroleum Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies and is a member of the National Petroleum Council, the Business Roundtable and the Business Council.

Education

Texas A&M University

Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

MBA