Mechanical Engineering 2006 Distinguished Alumnus
By: LaRoux Gillespie
Harry Gibson is a retired Exxon Corporation executive now living in
Lawrence, Kansas. Prior to his retirement from Exxon, he was responsible
for managing engineering, computing, and planning support for Exxon’s U.S.
Refining business, which, at the time, was the second largest in the United
States. In this position, he also provided oversight for Refining’s capital budget
($200-$500 million/year) and was responsible for personnel development for
Exxon’s Refining technical and management personnel (500+). Other
positions held during his 34-year career with Exxon include: Environmental
Manager for Exxon Company, USA, Strategic Planning Coordinator for Exxon
Company USA’s Supply, Refining, and Marketing business segments, and
numerous other management, technical and operations assignments with
Exxon’s domestic refining operations. During his career, he was an active
member of the American Petroleum Institute, serving as a member and chair of
various committees involved with industry safety, health and environmental legislative and regulatory
issues.
A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Mr. Gibson graduated from The University of Kansas with a BS
degree in Mechanical Engineering with Distinction and an MBA. He received academic and athletic
scholarships to attend KU, where he was a three-year varsity basketball letterman, serving as Co-captain
in 1963/64. He played from 1962-1964, wearing jersey #42, which was also worn by Jeff Graves in 2003.
He is a member of Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, Sigma Tau, Omicron Delta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma
honor societies. Currently, Harry is a member of the Board of Advisors of The University of Kansas
School of Engineering and a member of the Advisory Board for KU’s Center for Environmental Education
and Research.
Harry began working for Exxon as a summer employee while working on his Master’s degree at
Kansas. His professional career with Exxon began at the Baton Rouge Refinery in Louisiana in 1966
after graduation. While in Baton Rouge, he worked in various technical, operating and supervisory
assignments.
Mr. Gibson was transferred to Exxon’s refinery headquarters in Houston, Texas where he developed
business plans and strategies for Fuel Products in the Supply Department.
Moving west, Harry spent a part of his career at the Benicia Refinery in California heading the
technical and administrative support departments for the refinery, while managing operations procedures.
Harry returned to Houston’s headquarters to work in the downstream area of strategic planning of company
policies. During his stretch in Houston, Harry worked in the environmental department analyzing and
planning company procedures.
Harry worked as the technical manager of all Exxon Refineries in the United States; designing
and completing capital projects and investments, working with all operating and technical managers and
guiding engineers in the development of their careers. Over 21 years he had various technical, planning,
and operations staff and management assignments at the Baton Rouge Refinery, Houston Headquarters,
and the Benicia, California Refinery.
During 1988-1992, he worked in the environmental area for Exxon in Houston. In 1992, he was
assigned as Environmental Coordinator for the Exxon Company, USA. Responsibilities included
coordination of Exxon’s company-wide environmental programs, development of company positions on
emerging environmental legislative and regulatory issues, and interfacing with trade groups, Congress,
Congressional staff, and government agencies to communicate Exxon’s position.
Throughout Mr. Gibson’s career, he has been a leader in his communities: from little league,
President of the Kiwanis, and Junior Achievement to numerous community committees. Harry’s wife,
Becky Goodbar Gibson, graduated from Kansas University in Elementary Education (1964). Harry and
Becky have two children, Lisa and Mike, and two grandchildren. They are also proud citizens of Lawrence.
As can be seen, Harry is an exemplary role model for our students, demonstrating the tremendous
breadth of activities and accomplishments which lie ahead for KU Mechanical Engineering graduates.