EXXON TAPS FEMALE CFO AS FIRST OUTSIDER TO JOIN INNER CIRCLE

Exxon Mobil Corp. recruited a company outsider for the first time to join the chief executives inner circle of managers, a move that comes just weeks after the oil giant suffered a stunning setback at the hands of a tiny activist investor. Kathryn Mikells will join Exxon Aug. 9 as chief financial officer from Diageo Plc, where she held the same role and was also a director. Mikells, 55, will be the first woman among the ranks of senior vice presidents that share day-to-day management duties with CEO Darren Woods, and the first executive to hold such a high position without a background in oil, natural gas or chemicals.