Michael Ramage
Purdue University
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Dr. Michael Ramage, B.S. 1966, M.S. 1969, Ph.D. 1971 & HDR 1996, is retired Executive Vice President of the ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company. In a distinguished career, all with the Mobil and ExxonMobil, he has been an Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, as well as a Research Associate, Manager of Process Research and Development, General Manager of Exploration and Producing Research, Vice President of Engineering, and President of Mobil Technology Company. His expertise spans the petroleum and chemical industries. From the beginning of his professional career — earning three degrees in chemical engineering from Purdue University — he has maintained strong ties with the academic community, not only with his alma mater but several university visiting committees. A member of the National Academy of Engineering, he serves the AIChE as well as other professional organizations. And in retirement he is again at the forefront of energy innovation, chairing in 2004 the National Research Council's committee on the hydrogen economy, and in 2006 appointed by the Secretary of Energy as a member of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee to “give recommendations to the Secretary regarding DOE’s programs, plans, and activities, as well as safety, economic, and environmental issues related to hydrogen.”
Profile
Childhood, growing up, and parental recollections?
I was born in Evansville, Indiana on July, 29 1943 to Helen and Homer Ramage and grew up in Washington, Indiana. My parents where anchored in their religious faith and gave me a very good childhood. I played varsity sports in high school and particularly loved basketball. My father was a very positive influence and role model. He was a self-made man with a lot of common sense and a self assured approach to life.
The most important event of my life was meeting my wife, Ann, when I was a junior in high school - 46 years ago. It has been Ann’s love and confidence that has shaped me as a person, father and professional.
Early education, high school, undergraduate and graduate school?
It was my interest in math and chemistry, and the encouragement of a high school chemistry teacher that led me to Purdue: I grew up at Purdue. Even though my parents had to mortgage their home to pay expenses, my father made the decision that I should go to Purdue instead of a junior college. And Ann and I were married our junior year in college.
Early career experiences and influence and mentors or influences?
I enjoyed chemical engineering and wanted to extend my knowledge. My experience at Purdue motivated me to go to grad school. Ann and I decided to stay at Purdue for grad school and those years were some of the best of our lives. In grad school my chemical engineering foundation was strengthened and I loved research. My major professor, Roger Eckert, had a significant influence on me. My mind became more inquisitive, and I learned how to take and manage risks. Also, I presented several papers while still in graduate school and this increased my communications skills and confidence. Professor Eckert demonstrated his confidence in me by allowing me to define my own research area in reaction engineering, even though he, himself, had never worked in reaction engineering.
My interest in research and reaction engineering led me to Mobil and Dwight Prater, Jack Wise, and Vern Weekman – leaders of the world-class research and reaction engineering team at Mobil. From these men I learned how to lead. While my interest was mainly in research, they progressively gave me more leadership responsibilities – while showing confidence and support.
I spent my entire career with Mobil and ExxonMobil. Early on, my drive was to work in research and so I gave no thought to management. I always tried to do one job at a time, and not get caught up in over-analyzing my career. As my management responsibilities increased, I worked to stay technically involved so my management decisions would have a viable technical basis.
The core group mentioned above, starting with Ann, really shaped my life by always believing in me. They “let me be me.” In fact, I was blessed by a career where my management always demonstrated confidence in my abilities and decisions.
Significant career projects or activities?
Among my most significant and enjoyable experiences at Mobil was the development of the Mobil Kinetic Reforming Model - KINPTR. This team accomplishment was the petroleum industry’s first reforming model based on fundamental kinetics rather than empirical correlations. It represented a seminal contribution to chemical reaction engineering and brought tremendous amount of financial value to the Mobil. This work was also the basis for my election to the National Academy of Engineering.
Most enjoyable phase of career?
While I enjoyed my entire career and have many wonderful memories, the five years, 1989-94, I spent in Dallas stand out the most. I went to Dallas in 1989 to manage Mobil’s Exploration and Production Research Laboratory – an organization of 500 geologists, geophysics, and petroleum engineers. The challenge was to increase the communications and technology transfer between the research organization and Mobil’s worldwide Exploration and Producing (E&P) Division. There was literally a communication stalemate with significant hurdles to the effective transfer of technology from research to operations. Mobil was losing a great deal of financial value. Another challenge at the time was that I knew little about the science and technology of the exploration and production business – since I had spent my entire career in process engineering. For the first several months I visited with our people, learning about them and their research — and in the process developing a tremendous amount of respect for our people and the business. During those five years in Dallas, we made massive changes in the way E&P technology was created, developed, and implemented in Mobil. And what was most rewarding – the changes were designed and implemented by our own people from both the research and operating organizations. The result was the creation of a new division in Mobil, with over 1,000 people, named Mobil Exploration and Producing Technical Center. From this experience, I learned important personal and professional lessons, and the importance of business support, relationships, and credibility. It was an important time of growth for me.
Most significant contributions to profession and society?
I believe some of my most significant contributions to the profession and society have been my work in reaction engineering and involvement with the International Symposium for Chemical Reaction Engineering (ISCRE). I co-chaired ISCRE 11 in 1990 and served as vice president. I have been actively involved in AIChE and the National Academy of Engineering.
How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as a loving and supportive husband and father, a trusted friend, and a people-oriented, credible, visionary leader.
What do you consider your most significant award/recognition?
My most significant awards and honors include 1) my Honorary Doctorate from Purdue, 2) NAE membership, and 3) Executive Vice President and Director of Mobil Oil Corporation and a member of Mobil’s Executive Committee.
Who do you consider the most memorable person you have known?
Without question, the most memorable person I have known is my father. He was a survivor, one who was always optimistic, who knew himself, treated all people the same, had confidence me, and could give sound advice on most issues. He taught me a most valuable lesson: “Your performance at work and in life is your responsibility.”
What is your single major prediction about the future of chemical engineering?
I believe that Chemical Engineering’s influence and impact on our way of life will continue to increase. The real strength of chemical engineering is it’s “systems, science based approach to engineering.” Thus allowing ChE’s to impact more potential areas than any other engineering discipline.
What is your greatest hope and concern about the future of the profession?
Chemical Engineering can work and integrate across most scientific and engineering disciplines, and this will be the basis for the success I mention above. However, I am concerned that this “stretching” of the profession will ultimately lead to a loss in the identity of Chemical Engineering as a profession. I believe this is a real challenge for academia.
Advice for new graduates?
If you can, take a position you will enjoy, and where you can learn, grow and have an impact. And remember, your “performance and credibility is your responsibility.”
Advice to high school students?
Chemical Engineering is a tremendous profession, giving the graduate an opportunity for a great career, with potential to impact both the business world and society as a whole.
Editor:
Frank S. Oreovicz (oreovicz@purdue.edu)
Communication Specialist
School of Chemical EngineeringPurdue University