Marathon Man Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr.

Not all who make it to the top of large corporations come armed with an MBA or undergraduate business degree. Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr. was more of a scientist. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1951, he graduated from the Louisiana State University with a degree in BS Geology in 1972. He then worked for the oil company Texaco as a geophysicist.

Cazalot rose through the ranks at Texaco. In 1981 he became a regional manager of exploration. In 1987 he was appointed general manager of Texaco’s frontier exploration department.  Cazalot was promoted as a corporate vice president in 1992.

He kept rising through the ranks assuming more responsibilities and was named president of production operations after a reorganization in 1999. Due to his reputation USX Corporation took him in as president of Marathon Oil Company one of the four independent operating units of the steel company.  He also became vice chairman of USX and joined the board of directors.

Marathon Oil Company split from USX becoming an independent company in 2002. Cazalot became the president and CEO of Marathon Oil Corporation.  He is credited of bringing the oil company to new heights.  Cazalot was able to increase production and lower costs. In his first year he increasee net income by around 400 percent. Cazalot was also willing to cut jobs to lower costs.

In 2011 he was given the additional post of chairman of the Board.  Cazalot is a board member of a number of noted organizations.  For his career achievement his alma mater, Louisiana State University awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters in 2007.