Ray R. Irani

Ray R. Irani (born January 13, 1935) is the former chairman and chief executive officer of Occidental Petroleum. He has worked at Occidental Petroleum for over 20 years, serving as a director since 1984, chief operating officer (president) from 1984 to 1990, and chairman and chief executive officer from 1990. During his early years, he worked with notable Occidental CEO Armand Hammer, who at age 91, named Irani his successor in February 1990. According to Forbes.com, his five-year total compensation between 2001 and 2005 was $127,447,000. In 2006, after a rise in oil prices, Irani earned a total of $460 million.

Irani was born in Lebanon and is of Palestinian origin. He received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry at the American University of Beirut in 1953. He moved in the same year to Los Angeles, California, and at age 18, began graduate studies in physical chemistry at the University of Southern California. He received his PhD in 1957. He subsequently worked as a researcher for the Monsanto Company until 1967 and joined the Shamrock Corporation. Prior to working for Occidental, he was president and chief operating officer of Olin Corporation, a chemicals and metals company.

Irani is an honorary fellow of the American Institute of Chemists and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is currently a trustee of USC and co-chair of the board of Trustees of the American University of Beirut. USC named a primary life sciences building as Ray R. Irani Hall on February 9, 2007. In February 2012, Irani, was elected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He was recognized “for leadership in the petrochemical industry and processes for applications of particulate systems.” This is considered the highest honor in engineering in the United States.

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