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Congratulations Mr. Tillerson: Safety First
Dear Mr. Tillerson,
As an ExxonMobil employee of 33 years (now retired) I am proud to see you selected and approved as the Secretary of State of the United States.
You may not remember me, but I remember you. Around the year 2000, when you were Executive VP of ExxonMobil Development Company, I was part of a team that presented a well to you that we were preparing to drill in Angola. I showed up early to the meeting and to my surprise, you were in the room. As I walked in the room, you stood up, introduced yourself to me, and shook my hand. We exchanged pleasantries and you proceeded to put me at ease with a delightful personal discussion.
When I heard that you were nominated for the position of SoS, I was not only proud that a fellow XOM employee was recognized for so great a mission, but I knew that President Trump had picked the right man. You confirmed that for me today, when you addressed your State Department team, and told them that the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning is the safety of your employees. That was music to my ears.
It was always that way during my career at ExxonMobil. As you well know, safety is a culture that is developed, not a slogan that is easily bandied about. Whether it was continual abandon ship drills or fire drills on deepwater offshore rigs, or being met with an armor-plated van in Lagos, Nigeria, or a wellsite that was guarded by anti-aircraft guns in Mozambique, or evacuating us safely from a coup in Chad, or ensuring we had the latest anti-malarial meds, or continually hammering us to take these principles home and share them with our family, Exxon always had our back.
I hope your new team understands that when you talk about their safety; and having their back, that you mean what you say.
Good luck sir.
Published in Politics
Great post Scott.
It gives me more confidence in Rex Tillerson. I think he’ll make a great Secretary of State.
The crucial start to changing the climate at State.
Good Luck, Secretary Tillerson!
I have a friend that has branded him Rexon.
^Like
Thank’s Scott. I felt he was a good choice, but now I know he was the best choice.
I’m eager to see what Sec. Tillerson does as well as Trump. The complexity of mineral resource exploration and extraction worldwide is the kind of experience most people at the State Dept. have no clue about. This could be a real breath of fresh air.
In reconsidering my assumptions and biases this past contentious year, it may be just what is needed on the world stage: not a ideological, America hating appeaser like Obama/Kerry, nor a fight. fight. fight, invade & arm outlook of too many of the foreign policy establishment on ‘The Right’.
An American businessman that knows how to open markets, and power this world with an essential resource – this could be really successful.
A great post, Scott, and a fine story. There are so many times when we peer behind the curtain of how someone presents himself or herself–John Kerry’s imperious “Don’t you know who I am?”–and it’s always a pleasure to find out that such-and-such a big shot is actually a human being in real life, not a cardboard cut-out in a nice suit. It must be admitted that sometimes on our side of the aisle we forget that diplomats can be more than cardboard cut-outs in striped pants. Good luck to the new Secretary.
Thanks to all who have kindly commented. At the church I attend in my hometown, I have an XOM colleague/friend who was an early (if not the first) aide-de-camp to Mr. Tillerson when he became CEO. I enjoy teasing my friend that he needs to keep his head down or he will be drawn into the swamp when Mr. Tillerson fills his staff.
It’s nice to see first hand accounting about this admirable man.
Thanks for this added dimension of the man, Scott. I always appreciate first-hand experience. I think he’ll be great in the job.
The only other things I heard about him were how close he was to Putin.
Thanks for sharing another side.
Time will tell.
Yes, in the industry the word “Safety” gets used a lot and frequently it is a policy on a paper, but not a real practice when it’s not convenient. Or in cases people can get black balled or “run off” as they say in the oil biz for bringing up a serious issue that is problematic. I never worked for Exxon, but I have worked in the industry and dealt with numerous operators (the term used for an Oil&Gas company in the industry). Exxon has the reputation as the best project execution company and professionally run company. Exxon is known has harder working than Shell it closest rival. When the Deep Water Horizon burned in the Gulf Rex Tillerson was impressive in the Senate hearings. From my viewing Tillerson from afar I always thought him to be straight forward, sober, and competent. He didn’t dance around the issues. I think he was the best Oil CEO of the recent lot. I was pleased to hear his confirmation as SoS and think he’ll be good. I don’t think people should buy into this hysteria around him.
Nice post. As a Texan I’m required by law to approve of Mr. Tillerson. There was a great article about him just recently in Texas Monthly written by someone who had Jury Duty with him. Touching story and made me feel much better about his appointment.
Feels like the adults are back in charge.
Thanks for sharing Scott.
No one else is going to comment on armor plated vans and wells guarded by anti-aircraft weapons?
Exxon corporate structure seems to really care about their people and their safety – think out of the box and have their lawyers and insurance brokers under control–they do what it takes to both get the product and minimize the substantial risks their employees take to make it all work. Glad to know there are still large American corporations with that attitude.
BP went to a supposed Green strategy, with a flower logo and new governance structure. They had Deepwater Horizon and the perpetually exploding BP Texas City refinery. Here’s a video about their refinery safety culture:
ExxonMobil has kept out of the CSB’s sights – pretty remarkable given how dangerous oil refining is. Glad to hear that kind of care is in the State Department.
Couldn’t find an article like that on Texasmonthly.
https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Atexasmonthly.com+%22jury+duty%22+%22tillerson%22
Perhaps were you thinking of this one?
http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2016/12/23/learned-exxon-ceo-rex-tillerson-spending-week-jury-duty
(found link in a comment on 2016-12-23 on texasmonthly article)
Well, major oil companies have operations in some very dangerous areas. In certain places workers must live in walled armed compounds. BP and Statoil pulled out operations personnel in Algeria due to armed attacks for instance. Foreign oil workers can be targets for kidnapping and there are health issues when traveling to certain areas that require vaccines and emergency medical treatment plans.
Here’s Sec’y Tillerson speaking yesterday at State:
https://youtu.be/vTDP1mbr89o?t=11m5s
“The first thing I ask myself when I wake in the morning is, Are all of our people safe?”
From Tillerson’s speech at State. Well called, Scott.
What a great feeling to have a serious, competent adult as SOS. James Taylor, your services will no longer be needed.
Thanks for sharing that video CB. The State Department again has a leader.
No more of this:
Hallelujah!!
He seems like a sharp guy who knows how to lead. I think he’ll do great.
The grown-ups are indeed in charge again.