From French Horn to Oil Fields: Vicki Hollub’s Unstoppable Rise to CEO

 

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"What if your biggest career breakthrough started with a failed dream?"

In this compelling episode of Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas, Kent sits down with Vicki Hollub, the trailblazing CEO of Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) and the first woman to lead a major U.S. oil company. From her humble beginnings in Bessemer, Alabama, to commanding global energy operations, Vicki shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey of grit, perseverance, and vision.

Listeners will be captivated by stories of:

• Her father’s relentless pursuit of carpentry perfection and how it shaped her work ethic.
• Her mother’s magnetic personality and GED triumph, teaching Vicki the power of human connection.
• A surprising pivot from music to mineral engineering, sparked by a French horn and a brutally honest professor.
• Her eye-opening assignments in Russia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, revealing the universal values shared across cultures.
• The bold moves that led to Oxy’s dominance in the Permian Basin, and the visionary leadership of Steve Chazen and Armand Hammer.
• Facing gender bias head-on in the field, and the importance of having advocates—not just mentors—in your corner.

With memorable quotes like, “Sometimes we don’t tell people how impactful they are to us until they pass away,” and “Trust is such a powerful thing,” this episode is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and staying true to your values.

Whether you're a student, a professional, or just someone who loves a good story, this episode will leave you inspired and energized.

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