Oral history interview with H. Eugene McBrayer
- 1992-May-11
Eugene McBrayer begins the interview with a discussion of his family background and early education in Birmingham, Alabama. His father was a small gasoline distributor for Amoco, and McBrayer helped with the business. His parents encouraged him to treat his education seriously, so he spent much of his time studying. This work paid off when he was offered an academic scholarship to Vanderbilt University. Though he had intended to study metallurgy, McBrayer soon became a chemical engineering major, earning his B.S. in 1954. The summer between his junior and senior years was spent working for Exxon's Baton Rouge, Louisiana refinery, and McBrayer decided that he wanted to work for Exxon after graduation. Because of his high grades and previous good work, he received an offer from Exxon, which he accepted. He moved quickly through the management ranks and, in 1964, was sent to New York City to work for Exxon Enterprises. In 1979, he moved again, to Exxon Chemical Corporation, becoming Vice President. Six years later, he became President and began to restructure the company. During his years at Exxon Chemical, McBrayer was heavily involved in environmental issues; he helped to set up Clean Sites, Inc. and has been active in the Chemical Manufacturers Association Responsible Care program. In 1992, the same year that he was awarded the Chemical Industry Medal, McBrayer retired from Exxon Chemical. McBrayer concludes the interview with his hopes for the future of the chemical industry.
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About the Interviewer
James J. Bohning was professor emeritus of chemistry at Wilkes University, where he had been a faculty member from 1959 to 1990. He served there as chemistry department chair from 1970 to 1986 and environmental science department chair from 1987 to 1990. Bohning was chair of the American Chemical Society’s Division of the History of Chemistry in 1986; he received the division’s Outstanding Paper Award in 1989 and presented more than forty papers at national meetings of the society. Bohning was on the advisory committee of the society’s National Historic Chemical Landmarks Program from its inception in 1992 through 2001 and is currently a consultant to the committee. He developed the oral history program of the Chemical Heritage Foundation, and he was CHF’s director of oral history from 1990 to 1995. From 1995 to 1998, Bohning was a science writer for the News Service group of the American Chemical Society. In May 2005, he received the Joseph Priestley Service Award from the Susquehanna Valley Section of the American Chemical Society. Bohning passed away in September 2011.
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| Oral history number | 0144 |
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Interviewee biographical information
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Education
| Year | Institution | Degree | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Vanderbilt University | BS | Chemical Engineering |
Professional Experience
Esso Standard Oil Company
- 1953 Junior Chemical Engineer, Baton Rouge Refinery
- 1954 to 1955 Chemical Engineer, Process Engineering Department, Baton Rouge Refinery
- 1955 to 1957 Supervisor, Chemical Technical Service, Baton Rouge Refinery
- 1957 to 1959 Division Foreman, Baton Rouge Refinery
- 1959 to 1962 Assistant Division Head, Technical Division, Baton Rouge Refinery
- 1962 Head, Technical Division, Baton Rouge Refinery
- 1963 Head, Operating Division, Baton Rouge, Refinery
Humble Oil and Refining Company (Incorporated in Tex.)
- 1963 to 1964 Head, Refinery Coordination Department
Exxon Research and Engineering Company
- 1964 to 1965 Assistant Manager, New Investments Department
- 1965 to 1977 President, Exxon Enterprises
- 1977 to 1979 Chief Executive Officer, Exxon Nuclear Company
- 1979 to 1986 Executive Vice President, Exxon Chemical Company
- 1986 to 1992 President, Exxon Chemical Company
- 1992 Retired, Exxon Chemical Company
Honors
| Year(s) | Award |
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| 1992 | Chemical Industry Medal, Society of Chemical Industry (American Section) |
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