K. Terry Koonce

K. Terry Koonce is an American chemical engineer and retired senior energy executive whose career with Exxon and ExxonMobil spanned more than four decades. He served as president of Exxon Ventures (CIS), overseeing the company’s exploration and production activities across the former Soviet Union, and later as president of ExxonMobil Production Company, with responsibility for the corporation’s worldwide oil and gas production operations.

Dr. Koonce earned both his bachelor’s degree and doctorate in chemical engineering from Rice University. During his career, he held senior leadership positions across Exxon’s research, engineering, production, and international operations, including as president and chief executive officer of Exxon Research and Engineering Company and Esso Resources Canada. He also served on the boards of Rice University, the Greater Houston Partnership, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and several civic and charitable organizations.

Dr. Koonce played an important role in expanding American commercial engagement with Azerbaijan during the early years of its independence. As president of Exxon Ventures, he helped lead the company’s entry into Azerbaijan’s energy sector and signed the 1997 production-sharing agreement with SOCAR for the Nakhchivan offshore prospect at the White House. As a founding member of USACC’s Board of Directors and the Chamber’s co-chairman in 1999–2000, he supported high-level business dialogue, investment promotion, and stronger commercial ties between the United States and Azerbaijan. USACC honored him with its Outstanding Leadership Award in 2000.