Rene Gonzalez was named the General Counsel for ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co., Ltd in Shanghai, China in October, 2012.  As General Counsel of ExxonMobil China, he oversees its team of attorneys responsible for the company’s legal affairs in the Greater China Region.

Previously, Rene was General Counsel and Company Secretary of Esso (Thailand) Public Co., Ltd. from 2009 to 2012.   In that role, he oversaw a team of attorneys responsible for the company’s legal affairs in Thailand and was also responsible for Esso Thailand’s compliance with the laws and regulations of the Stock Exchange of Thailand governing publicly listed companies.  During his tenure with Esso Thailand, Rene also served as the Treasurer for Thailand United States Educational Foundation (Fulbright).  In this capacity, he assisted the Foundation in planning the annual budget and accounting for the receipt and expenditure of funds throughout the year.

Rene started his career with Exxon Co., USA in 1993 as an attorney in the Litigation Group where he represented the company in lawsuits involving tort, contract and employment law.  In 1996, he moved into Exxon’s Environmental Law Group and assumed the same position in ExxonMobil Corporation after the merger.   In this role, he was responsible for advising the company on matters of compliance with the U.S. Clean Air Act.  In 2001, Rene assumed responsibility for the company’s legal matters related to site remediation at the local, state and federal level.  In this position, he directed several law firms across the U.S. to efficiently and strategically work as a network to address the variety of issues and claims presented by individuals, corporate entities and public agencies.

Subsequently in 2003, Rene was assigned as the Refinery Attorney at ExxonMobil’s Baytown, Texas petrochemical complex where he was responsible for managing the legal affairs, including commercial, environmental and labor issues, of one of the company’s largest petrochemical complexes in the world.  He later was named the Assistant Chief Attorney of ExxonMobil’s Lubricants & Specialties Company in 2006 where he oversaw a team of attorneys responsible for the company’s legal affairs in the lubricants and specialties business worldwide.

Rene received his B.A. with Honors and his J.D. from The University of Texas in 1990 and 1993, respectively.   He presently serves as a charter member of the Advisory Council of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center for Energy, Law, and Business at the University of Texas.