TURMOIL AT THE TOP: OXY’S PROCESSION OF PRESIDENTS

THOMAS F. WILLERS

President: July, 1968-February, 1970

Chairman: February, 1970-August, 1971

Former president of Hooker Chemical, which was acquired by Occidental in 1968, Willers resigned to “pursue personal interests” according to a statement issued by Occidental. In a 1973 interview Willers said he had left Occidental mainly because of disenchantment with the way the company was managed.

WILLIAM BELLANO

President: February, 1970-January, 1972

No reason was given for Bellano’s resignation. A press release stated that Bellano “has taken an early retirement as an officer and director of the company.” He was 59 at the time.

JOSEPH E. BAIRD

President: December, 1973-July, 1979

There was no reason given for Baird’s resignation, however one analyst speculated at the time that Occidental’s failed attempt to take over Mead Corp. in 1978 had been a factor.

ZOLTAN MERSZEI

President: July, 1979-August, 1980

Vice chairman: April, 1979-April, 1986

An official company announcement said Merszei resigned as president of Occidental “to devote the major portion of his time to his duties as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Hooker.” At the time, Hooker Chemical, an Occidental subsidiary, was involved with costly lawsuits stemming from toxic waste disposal in Michigan and Niagara Falls, New York (Love Canal). In 1986, Merszei resigned as vice chairman to “pursue private interests.”

A. ROBERT ABBOUD

President: August, 1980-September, 1984

In a statement released by Occidental announcing his resignation, Abboud said he had “honest differences” with Hammer over how the company should operate and the strategy it should follow in the future. Abboud continued, “Dr. Hammer wishes to assume total leadership in the formation and implementation of this program. We thus have mutually agreed to have an amicable, no-fault parting.”