Archie W. Dunham
Archie W. Dunham | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 20, 1938 Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1966–2019 |
| Known for | CEO of Conoco Inc., Chairman of ConocoPhillips, Chairman of Chesapeake Energy |
Archie Wallace Dunham (born December 20, 1938) held the positions of president and CEO at Conoco Inc. from January 1996 until August 2002. Following the merger between Conoco Inc. and Phillips Petroleum Company, he became chairman of ConocoPhillips, a role he maintained until his retirement on September 30, 2004. Between 2012 and 2015, Dunham served as chairman of Chesapeake Energy (currently known as Expand Energy) and continued as chairman emeritus until 2019.
Early life and education
Raised in Oklahoma, Dunham completed a bachelor's degree in geological engineering at the University of Oklahoma in 1960. After serving four years as an officer in the Marine Corps, he returned to the University of Oklahoma to earn an MBA in 1966.
Career
Dunham began his career with Conoco Inc. in 1966, undertaking a variety of commercial and leadership roles within both Conoco and its previous parent company, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company ("DuPont"). Between 1995 and 1998, he was senior vice president of polymers and executive vice president at DuPont. At Conoco, his responsibilities included executive vice president positions overseeing exploration and production, refining, marketing, supply, and transportation. From August 1999 through August 2002, he was chairman, president, and CEO of Conoco Inc., subsequently leading ConocoPhillips as chairman until his retirement in 2004.
His board memberships extended to DuPont, Phelps Dodge, Pride International, Union Pacific, and Louisiana-Pacific. Dunham also chaired several organizations such as the United States Energy Association, the National Petroleum Council, and the National Association of Manufacturers. Additionally, he contributed to boards affiliated with the University of Oklahoma, American Petroleum Institute, U.S.–Russia Business Council, Greater Houston Partnership, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Symphony, George Bush Presidential Library, Smithsonian Institution, Houston Grand Opera, The Business Council, The Business Roundtable, and was formerly part of the advisory board for Deutsche Bank.
In 2012, Dunham was appointed Independent Non-executive Chairman of Chesapeake Energy (now Expand Energy) and remained chairman emeritus until his retirement in 2019.
Marriage and children
Archie Dunham married Linda in 1960; together they have three children named Steven, Laura, and Cary.
Awards
- 1996: Inducted into Distinguished Graduates Society at University of Oklahoma College of Engineering
- 1998: Named Community Partners Houston Father of the Year; inducted into Oklahoma Hall of Fame
- 1999: Received Honorary Doctorate in humane letters from University of Oklahoma
- 2000: Awarded New York Mercantile Exchange CEO of the Year for Global Vision in Energy; honored with B'nai B'rith International Achievement Award
- 2001: Inducted into Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans; received Ellis Island Medal of Honor
- 2003: Granted Honorary Doctorate in humane letters by Houston Baptist University
- 2004: Recognized as Greater Houston Partnership International Executive of the Year
- 2005: Recipient of John Rogers Award
- 2006: Inducted into Offshore Energy Center Hall of Fame
- 2010: Honored with Houston Baptist University Spirit of Excellence Award
- 2011: Awarded U.S. Marine Corps Globe and Anchor Award
- 2014: Received Houston Baptist University President's Award
- 2017: Presented with University of Oklahoma Trailblazer Award
- 2018: Honored with Houston Baptist University Founders Medal