Energy Technology Leader and Former Chevron Executive Donald L. Paul Named Executive Director of USC Energy Institute
Former CTO of Chevron Has Extensive Industry and Public Service Record on Energy Issues
Los Angeles — Donald L. Paul, Ph.D., has been named executive director of the University of Southern California Energy Institute and holder of the William M. Keck Chair in Energy Resources, it was announced today by USC Executive Vice President and Provost C. L. Max Nikias.
USC’s Energy Institute was launched in 2008 to create a USC-based framework to support and expand opportunities in energy-related research, education and public policy development.
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Donald L. Paul,” said Nikias. “His leadership and breadth of experience will surely prove invaluable in expanding USC’s role in shaping the world of energy and technology.”
Before accepting this position, Paul served as senior adviser to the provost, helping to shape the university’s larger efforts in the areas of energy and technology. He advised faculty, deans and the provost’s office on strategies to expand energy research and education at USC and to effectively engage the emerging opportunities in the public and private sector.
About the USC Energy Institute
Launched in 2008, the USC Energy Institute aims to build a community of energy and environmental researchers, expand research and education programs, engage outside companies and agencies, and help form good policy. The multidisciplinary institute brings together researchers and practitioners in science, business, technology and government to look at the most pressing issues in energy facing society today.
As executive director, Dr. Paul will engage his new duties through offices on the USC University Park Campus and at USC’s Washington, D.C., location.
About Donald L. Paul, Ph.D.
Before coming to USC, Paul had a distinguished career at Chevron, retiring as the corporation’s vice president and chief technology officer. During his 33-year tenure, he held a variety of positions in research and technology, exploration and production operations, and executive management, including service as president of Chevron’s Canadian subsidiary. As Chevron’s chief technology officer, Dr. Paul was responsible for the corporation’s three major technology subsidiaries: Energy Technology, Information Technology, and Technology Ventures. He also served as the global compliance officer for information protection, security and data privacy. Dr. Paul received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He was extensively involved in forming external research and technology partnerships with major universities, governments and businesses. He directed Chevron’s efforts to build cooperative partnerships with U.S. government agencies and national laboratories in energy research and development, alternative fuel infrastructure, high-performance computing, and cyber-security for oil and gas.
Provost Nikias, then Dean of the Viterbi School of Engineering, worked closely with Paul to establish CiSoft (Center for Interactive Smart Oil Field Technologies), a highly successful partnership between USC and Chevron, focused on applying advanced information and media technology to oil and gas field automation.
Dr. Paul’s public service record is extensive. He was part of the 1997 Presidential Panel on Federal Energy Research and Development, the National Research Council, and the 2007 landmark study by the National Petroleum Council for the Secretary of Energy. He continues to serve on a number of university, public and private sector advisory boards on energy and technology, including as Senior Adviser for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C.
Contact: James Grant, (213) 740-6156 or james.grant@usc.edu.
