This symposium serves as the crossroads for process safety where industry, academia, government agencies and other stakeholders come together to discuss critical issues of research in process safety. Experts from around the world will gather as part of this two and a half-day symposium, to share the latest information on the hottest topics aimed at making the process industry a safer place. The 2017 International Symposium of the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center will be held at the College Station Hilton Conference Center on October 24-26, 2017.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Ms. Lynne Lachenmyer

Senior Vice President
ExxonMobil

Lynne Lachenmyer is Vice President, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Dallas, Texas.  In this position, she manages Safety, Security, Health and Environment for the corporation.Ms. Lachenmyer joined Mobil Oil Corporation in 1980. She worked for eleven years in refining positions that provided experience in the technical, manufacturing operations, planning and environmental arenas.

n 1991, she transferred to Mobil’s corporate headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, with responsibilities covering competitive analysis, planning, supply, logistics and marketing.Ms. Lachenmyer became Vice President of the Global Aromatics business for Mobil Chemical Company in 1998.  Following the merger with Exxon, she became Vice President of the Aromatics Global Business unit for ExxonMobil Chemical Company.She assumed the position of Asia Pacific Manufacturing Director located in Singapore in 2004, where she was responsible for regional operations and joint venture relations.

In 2007, she became Vice President of Operations, ExxonMobil Lubricants and Specialties Company, and in 2010 became Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil Chemical’s global Basic Chemicals, Intermediates and Synthetics businesses.  She was appointed to her current position in September 2014.

Lynne has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from California Polytechnic University. She served on the Petro Stopping Center Board in 1997 and 1998, the Singapore Economic Development Board in 2006 and 2007, and serves on the Dean of Engineering’s Leadership Board for California Polytechnic University.  Lynne was named “Distinguished Alumnus in Engineering” in 2011 and a Hall of Fame inductee in 2014 for California Polytechnic University.  She currently serves on the National Safety Council, ExxonMobil Foundation and Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and Dallas Boards. Lynne is married to Todd and has two grown sons.  She enjoys gardening, travel and golf.

Mr. Jim Blackburn

Attorney
Blackburn & Carter

Jim Blackburn has been a practicing environmental lawyer and planner since 1973.  He is a Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Rice University where he teaches environmental law and sustainable design courses.  Blackburn is co-director of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disaster (SSPEED) Center at Rice University where he is also a Rice Faculty Scholar at the Baker Institute and Director of the Undergraduate Minor in Energy and Water Sustainability.  He is owner of a planning firm called Sustainable Planning and Design and teaches courses in sustainable design and environmental law in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice.

Blackburn has authored numerous legal papers and has received several local, state and national awards for environmental advocacy.  He was the recipient of The Barbara C. Jordan Community Advocate Award presented by Texas Southern University in 2007, the National Conservation Achievement Award in 2001 from the National Wildlife Federation and the Bob Eckhardt Lifetime Achievement Award for coastal preservation efforts from the General Land Office of the State of Texas in 1998. In 2004, Blackburn authored The Book of Texas Bays published in 2004 by Texas A&M Press, which focuses upon the environmental health of Texas bays and discusses various facts and issues. In 2009, Blackburn co-authored a compilation of art and poems titled Birds: A Collection of Verse and Vision. He is currently writing a new book on the Texas coast scheduled for publication by Texas A&M Press in 2016.

Blackburn received both a B.A. in History and a J.D. at the University of Texas at Austin and an M.S. in Environmental Science at Rice University.

Mr. Hector L. Rivero

President and CEO
Texas Chemical Council

Hector L. Rivero is President and CEO of the Texas Chemical Council (TCC).  The Texas Chemical Council is the statewide trade association for the chemical industry in Texas.  Founded in 1953, TCC is the largest U.S. state trade association representing chemical manufacturers.  The Council represents 67 public and private companies who operate more than 200 chemical manufacturing plants across Texas.  TCC is the chemical industry’s voice at the Texas State Capitol and before state regulatory agencies.  TCC members represent more than $50 Billion in physical assets in Texas and are responsible for more than 400,000 Texas jobs.  The chemical industry is a major economic engine for the state.  As the state’s #2 export, the chemical industry accounts for over $35 Billion in annual exports and pays more than $1 Billion in state and local taxes annually.

Rivero is a respected business leader and effective legislative strategist.  He has served on the Board of Directors of several business organizations including the Texas Association of Business, Texas Civil Justice League, Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, Mississippi Manufacturers Association, and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. A government affairs professional for nearly 20 years, Rivero has been instrumental in the passage of major tax reforms, civil justice reforms, environmental laws, and constitutional amendments.

Rivero is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and has previously served as State Government Affairs Manager for E. I. DuPont de Nemours with responsibilities for 15 manufacturing plants in the U.S. Gulf Coast Region and several research facilities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  Rivero has extensive experience working with legislative leaders, regulatory agencies, industry trade associations, and business and manufacturing organizations in numerous states.

This symposium serves as the crossroads for process safety where industry, academia, government agencies and other stakeholders come together to discuss critical issues of research in process safety. Experts from around the world will gather as part of this two and a half-day symposium, to share the latest information on the hottest topics aimed at making the process industry a safer place. The 2017 International Symposium of the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center will be held at the College Station Hilton Conference Center on October 24-26, 2017.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Ms. Lynne Lachenmyer

Senior Vice President
ExxonMobil

Lynne Lachenmyer is Vice President, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Dallas, Texas.  In this position, she manages Safety, Security, Health and Environment for the corporation.Ms. Lachenmyer joined Mobil Oil Corporation in 1980. She worked for eleven years in refining positions that provided experience in the technical, manufacturing operations, planning and environmental arenas.

n 1991, she transferred to Mobil’s corporate headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, with responsibilities covering competitive analysis, planning, supply, logistics and marketing.Ms. Lachenmyer became Vice President of the Global Aromatics business for Mobil Chemical Company in 1998.  Following the merger with Exxon, she became Vice President of the Aromatics Global Business unit for ExxonMobil Chemical Company.She assumed the position of Asia Pacific Manufacturing Director located in Singapore in 2004, where she was responsible for regional operations and joint venture relations.

In 2007, she became Vice President of Operations, ExxonMobil Lubricants and Specialties Company, and in 2010 became Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil Chemical’s global Basic Chemicals, Intermediates and Synthetics businesses.  She was appointed to her current position in September 2014.

Lynne has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from California Polytechnic University. She served on the Petro Stopping Center Board in 1997 and 1998, the Singapore Economic Development Board in 2006 and 2007, and serves on the Dean of Engineering’s Leadership Board for California Polytechnic University.  Lynne was named “Distinguished Alumnus in Engineering” in 2011 and a Hall of Fame inductee in 2014 for California Polytechnic University.  She currently serves on the National Safety Council, ExxonMobil Foundation and Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and Dallas Boards. Lynne is married to Todd and has two grown sons.  She enjoys gardening, travel and golf.

Mr. Jim Blackburn

Attorney
Blackburn & Carter

Jim Blackburn has been a practicing environmental lawyer and planner since 1973.  He is a Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Rice University where he teaches environmental law and sustainable design courses.  Blackburn is co-director of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disaster (SSPEED) Center at Rice University where he is also a Rice Faculty Scholar at the Baker Institute and Director of the Undergraduate Minor in Energy and Water Sustainability.  He is owner of a planning firm called Sustainable Planning and Design and teaches courses in sustainable design and environmental law in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice.

Blackburn has authored numerous legal papers and has received several local, state and national awards for environmental advocacy.  He was the recipient of The Barbara C. Jordan Community Advocate Award presented by Texas Southern University in 2007, the National Conservation Achievement Award in 2001 from the National Wildlife Federation and the Bob Eckhardt Lifetime Achievement Award for coastal preservation efforts from the General Land Office of the State of Texas in 1998. In 2004, Blackburn authored The Book of Texas Bays published in 2004 by Texas A&M Press, which focuses upon the environmental health of Texas bays and discusses various facts and issues. In 2009, Blackburn co-authored a compilation of art and poems titled Birds: A Collection of Verse and Vision. He is currently writing a new book on the Texas coast scheduled for publication by Texas A&M Press in 2016.

Blackburn received both a B.A. in History and a J.D. at the University of Texas at Austin and an M.S. in Environmental Science at Rice University.

Mr. Hector L. Rivero

President and CEO
Texas Chemical Council

Hector L. Rivero is President and CEO of the Texas Chemical Council (TCC).  The Texas Chemical Council is the statewide trade association for the chemical industry in Texas.  Founded in 1953, TCC is the largest U.S. state trade association representing chemical manufacturers.  The Council represents 67 public and private companies who operate more than 200 chemical manufacturing plants across Texas.  TCC is the chemical industry’s voice at the Texas State Capitol and before state regulatory agencies.  TCC members represent more than $50 Billion in physical assets in Texas and are responsible for more than 400,000 Texas jobs.  The chemical industry is a major economic engine for the state.  As the state’s #2 export, the chemical industry accounts for over $35 Billion in annual exports and pays more than $1 Billion in state and local taxes annually.

Rivero is a respected business leader and effective legislative strategist.  He has served on the Board of Directors of several business organizations including the Texas Association of Business, Texas Civil Justice League, Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, Mississippi Manufacturers Association, and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. A government affairs professional for nearly 20 years, Rivero has been instrumental in the passage of major tax reforms, civil justice reforms, environmental laws, and constitutional amendments.

Rivero is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and has previously served as State Government Affairs Manager for E. I. DuPont de Nemours with responsibilities for 15 manufacturing plants in the U.S. Gulf Coast Region and several research facilities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  Rivero has extensive experience working with legislative leaders, regulatory agencies, industry trade associations, and business and manufacturing organizations in numerous states.

This symposium serves as the crossroads for process safety where industry, academia, government agencies and other stakeholders come together to discuss critical issues of research in process safety. Experts from around the world will gather as part of this two and a half-day symposium, to share the latest information on the hottest topics aimed at making the process industry a safer place. The 2017 International Symposium of the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center will be held at the College Station Hilton Conference Center on October 24-26, 2017.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Ms. Lynne Lachenmyer

Senior Vice President
ExxonMobil

Lynne Lachenmyer is Vice President, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Dallas, Texas.  In this position, she manages Safety, Security, Health and Environment for the corporation.Ms. Lachenmyer joined Mobil Oil Corporation in 1980. She worked for eleven years in refining positions that provided experience in the technical, manufacturing operations, planning and environmental arenas.

n 1991, she transferred to Mobil’s corporate headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, with responsibilities covering competitive analysis, planning, supply, logistics and marketing.Ms. Lachenmyer became Vice President of the Global Aromatics business for Mobil Chemical Company in 1998.  Following the merger with Exxon, she became Vice President of the Aromatics Global Business unit for ExxonMobil Chemical Company.She assumed the position of Asia Pacific Manufacturing Director located in Singapore in 2004, where she was responsible for regional operations and joint venture relations.

In 2007, she became Vice President of Operations, ExxonMobil Lubricants and Specialties Company, and in 2010 became Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil Chemical’s global Basic Chemicals, Intermediates and Synthetics businesses.  She was appointed to her current position in September 2014.

Lynne has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from California Polytechnic University. She served on the Petro Stopping Center Board in 1997 and 1998, the Singapore Economic Development Board in 2006 and 2007, and serves on the Dean of Engineering’s Leadership Board for California Polytechnic University.  Lynne was named “Distinguished Alumnus in Engineering” in 2011 and a Hall of Fame inductee in 2014 for California Polytechnic University.  She currently serves on the National Safety Council, ExxonMobil Foundation and Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and Dallas Boards. Lynne is married to Todd and has two grown sons.  She enjoys gardening, travel and golf.

Mr. Jim Blackburn

Attorney
Blackburn & Carter

Jim Blackburn has been a practicing environmental lawyer and planner since 1973.  He is a Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Rice University where he teaches environmental law and sustainable design courses.  Blackburn is co-director of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disaster (SSPEED) Center at Rice University where he is also a Rice Faculty Scholar at the Baker Institute and Director of the Undergraduate Minor in Energy and Water Sustainability.  He is owner of a planning firm called Sustainable Planning and Design and teaches courses in sustainable design and environmental law in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice.

Blackburn has authored numerous legal papers and has received several local, state and national awards for environmental advocacy.  He was the recipient of The Barbara C. Jordan Community Advocate Award presented by Texas Southern University in 2007, the National Conservation Achievement Award in 2001 from the National Wildlife Federation and the Bob Eckhardt Lifetime Achievement Award for coastal preservation efforts from the General Land Office of the State of Texas in 1998. In 2004, Blackburn authored The Book of Texas Bays published in 2004 by Texas A&M Press, which focuses upon the environmental health of Texas bays and discusses various facts and issues. In 2009, Blackburn co-authored a compilation of art and poems titled Birds: A Collection of Verse and Vision. He is currently writing a new book on the Texas coast scheduled for publication by Texas A&M Press in 2016.

Blackburn received both a B.A. in History and a J.D. at the University of Texas at Austin and an M.S. in Environmental Science at Rice University.

Mr. Hector L. Rivero

President and CEO
Texas Chemical Council

Hector L. Rivero is President and CEO of the Texas Chemical Council (TCC).  The Texas Chemical Council is the statewide trade association for the chemical industry in Texas.  Founded in 1953, TCC is the largest U.S. state trade association representing chemical manufacturers.  The Council represents 67 public and private companies who operate more than 200 chemical manufacturing plants across Texas.  TCC is the chemical industry’s voice at the Texas State Capitol and before state regulatory agencies.  TCC members represent more than $50 Billion in physical assets in Texas and are responsible for more than 400,000 Texas jobs.  The chemical industry is a major economic engine for the state.  As the state’s #2 export, the chemical industry accounts for over $35 Billion in annual exports and pays more than $1 Billion in state and local taxes annually.

Rivero is a respected business leader and effective legislative strategist.  He has served on the Board of Directors of several business organizations including the Texas Association of Business, Texas Civil Justice League, Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, Mississippi Manufacturers Association, and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. A government affairs professional for nearly 20 years, Rivero has been instrumental in the passage of major tax reforms, civil justice reforms, environmental laws, and constitutional amendments.

Rivero is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and has previously served as State Government Affairs Manager for E. I. DuPont de Nemours with responsibilities for 15 manufacturing plants in the U.S. Gulf Coast Region and several research facilities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  Rivero has extensive experience working with legislative leaders, regulatory agencies, industry trade associations, and business and manufacturing organizations in numerous states.

This symposium serves as the crossroads for process safety where industry, academia, government agencies and other stakeholders come together to discuss critical issues of research in process safety. Experts from around the world will gather as part of this two and a half-day symposium, to share the latest information on the hottest topics aimed at making the process industry a safer place. The 2017 International Symposium of the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center will be held at the College Station Hilton Conference Center on October 24-26, 2017.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Ms. Lynne Lachenmyer

Senior Vice President
ExxonMobil

Lynne Lachenmyer is Vice President, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Dallas, Texas.  In this position, she manages Safety, Security, Health and Environment for the corporation.Ms. Lachenmyer joined Mobil Oil Corporation in 1980. She worked for eleven years in refining positions that provided experience in the technical, manufacturing operations, planning and environmental arenas.

n 1991, she transferred to Mobil’s corporate headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, with responsibilities covering competitive analysis, planning, supply, logistics and marketing.Ms. Lachenmyer became Vice President of the Global Aromatics business for Mobil Chemical Company in 1998.  Following the merger with Exxon, she became Vice President of the Aromatics Global Business unit for ExxonMobil Chemical Company.She assumed the position of Asia Pacific Manufacturing Director located in Singapore in 2004, where she was responsible for regional operations and joint venture relations.

In 2007, she became Vice President of Operations, ExxonMobil Lubricants and Specialties Company, and in 2010 became Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil Chemical’s global Basic Chemicals, Intermediates and Synthetics businesses.  She was appointed to her current position in September 2014.

Lynne has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from California Polytechnic University. She served on the Petro Stopping Center Board in 1997 and 1998, the Singapore Economic Development Board in 2006 and 2007, and serves on the Dean of Engineering’s Leadership Board for California Polytechnic University.  Lynne was named “Distinguished Alumnus in Engineering” in 2011 and a Hall of Fame inductee in 2014 for California Polytechnic University.  She currently serves on the National Safety Council, ExxonMobil Foundation and Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and Dallas Boards. Lynne is married to Todd and has two grown sons.  She enjoys gardening, travel and golf.

Mr. Jim Blackburn

Attorney
Blackburn & Carter

Jim Blackburn has been a practicing environmental lawyer and planner since 1973.  He is a Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Rice University where he teaches environmental law and sustainable design courses.  Blackburn is co-director of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disaster (SSPEED) Center at Rice University where he is also a Rice Faculty Scholar at the Baker Institute and Director of the Undergraduate Minor in Energy and Water Sustainability.  He is owner of a planning firm called Sustainable Planning and Design and teaches courses in sustainable design and environmental law in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice.

Blackburn has authored numerous legal papers and has received several local, state and national awards for environmental advocacy.  He was the recipient of The Barbara C. Jordan Community Advocate Award presented by Texas Southern University in 2007, the National Conservation Achievement Award in 2001 from the National Wildlife Federation and the Bob Eckhardt Lifetime Achievement Award for coastal preservation efforts from the General Land Office of the State of Texas in 1998. In 2004, Blackburn authored The Book of Texas Bays published in 2004 by Texas A&M Press, which focuses upon the environmental health of Texas bays and discusses various facts and issues. In 2009, Blackburn co-authored a compilation of art and poems titled Birds: A Collection of Verse and Vision. He is currently writing a new book on the Texas coast scheduled for publication by Texas A&M Press in 2016.

Blackburn received both a B.A. in History and a J.D. at the University of Texas at Austin and an M.S. in Environmental Science at Rice University.

Mr. Hector L. Rivero

President and CEO
Texas Chemical Council

Hector L. Rivero is President and CEO of the Texas Chemical Council (TCC).  The Texas Chemical Council is the statewide trade association for the chemical industry in Texas.  Founded in 1953, TCC is the largest U.S. state trade association representing chemical manufacturers.  The Council represents 67 public and private companies who operate more than 200 chemical manufacturing plants across Texas.  TCC is the chemical industry’s voice at the Texas State Capitol and before state regulatory agencies.  TCC members represent more than $50 Billion in physical assets in Texas and are responsible for more than 400,000 Texas jobs.  The chemical industry is a major economic engine for the state.  As the state’s #2 export, the chemical industry accounts for over $35 Billion in annual exports and pays more than $1 Billion in state and local taxes annually.

Rivero is a respected business leader and effective legislative strategist.  He has served on the Board of Directors of several business organizations including the Texas Association of Business, Texas Civil Justice League, Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, Mississippi Manufacturers Association, and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. A government affairs professional for nearly 20 years, Rivero has been instrumental in the passage of major tax reforms, civil justice reforms, environmental laws, and constitutional amendments.

Rivero is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and has previously served as State Government Affairs Manager for E. I. DuPont de Nemours with responsibilities for 15 manufacturing plants in the U.S. Gulf Coast Region and several research facilities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  Rivero has extensive experience working with legislative leaders, regulatory agencies, industry trade associations, and business and manufacturing organizations in numerous states.