Sara N. Ortwein became president of XTO Energy, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, in November 2016.

A native of Houston, Sara earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin before joining Exxon Company, U.S.A. in 1980 as a drilling engineer.

In 1997, she was named reservoir evaluation and planning manager for Exxon Ventures, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), focusing on new venture pursuit and capture in Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

In 2001, she became a corporate upstream advisor to senior management at ExxonMobil headquarters in Irving, Texas. Three years later, she was named production manager for ExxonMobil’s operated U.S. production operations.

Sara was named vice president of engineering for ExxonMobil Development Company in 2006. She served as a development company executive until becoming president of ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company in September 2010.

Sara has been a champion for math, science and engineering, with a particular focus on mentoring future leaders in these fields. In 2009, she was honored by The University of Texas as a Distinguished Engineering Graduate from the Cockrell School of Engineering. Sara has been recognized by the Women’s Energy Network of Houston as an individual who exemplifies commitment to excellence and a role model for women engineers. In 2012, she was honored by Bio Houston with the Women in Science Excellence award. In 2013, she was recognized by the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce as a breakthrough leader in the field of energy. In 2014, she was recognized as one of Houston’s Top Ten Women in Energy by the Houston Business Journal.  And in 2017, she was recognized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers with the Distinguished Membership award.

Sara serves on the American Exploration and Production Council Executive Committee and the National Cowgirl Museum Board of Directors. She is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and is an active alumnus of the University of Texas. She is the immediate past chair of the University of Texas Engineering Advisory Board.

Sara and her husband, Randy, have two children, Adam and Megan. Together, they enjoy golf, tennis and travel.