Trump picks Tillerson for secretary of state
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – President-elect Donald Trump is nominating Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, Rex Tillerson, to serve as Secretary of the United States Department of State, according to a release from the Presidential Transition Team Communications Office.
Trump announced Tuesday morning he will nominate Tillerson. He tweeted and said the announcement will be made Tuesday morning.
“Rex Tillerson’s career is the embodiment of the American dream. Through hard work, dedication and smart deal making, Rex rose through the ranks to become CEO of ExxonMobil, one of the world’s largest and most respected companies,” said President-elect Donald J. Trump. “His tenacity, broad experience and deep understanding of geopolitics make him an excellent choice for Secretary of State. He will promote regional stability and focus on the core national security interests of the United States. Rex knows how to manage a global enterprise, which is crucial to running a successful State Department, and his relationships with leaders all over the world are second to none. I can think of no one more prepared, and no one more dedicated, to serve as Secretary of State at this critical time in our history.”
Tillerson who is from Texas, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He began his career at Exxon Company in 1995 as a production engineer. After years of working for the company, he was promoted as general manager. He was responsible for oil and gas production operations throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. He moved his way up within the company taking on numerous roles. In 2006, he was named as chairman and CEO of the board.
Tillerson said he was honored to serve as Secretary of the United States Department of State.
“I am honored by President-elect Trump’s nomination and share his vision for restoring the credibility of the United States’ foreign relations and advancing our country’s national security,” said Mr. Tillerson. “We must focus on strengthening our alliances, pursuing shared national interests and enhancing the strength, security and sovereignty of the United States.”