Donald Paul

Donald Paul is executive director of the Energy Institute, professor of engineering, and William M. Keck Chair of Energy Resources at the University of South California (USC) in Los Angeles. The USC Energy Institute supports university-wide research, education, and workforce development initiatives with industry and governments in the area of “intelligent energy,” involving the intersection of digital technologies, systems engineering, and energy infrastructures. Major programs include digital oilfields, smart power grids, and cyber-physical security for critical energy infrastructures. Dr. Paul had a distinguished 33-year career with the Chevron Corporation, retiring in June 2008 as vice president and chief technology officer. During his career, he advanced through positions of increasing responsibility in research and technology, exploration and production operations, and executive management, including appointment as the president of Chevron’s Canadian subsidiary. Dr. Paul was appointed by the U.S. secretary of energy to serve as an academic representative to the National Petroleum Council. He participates in advisory roles at several universities—including USC, the University of Texas, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard, Rice, and Stanford Universities—as well as governments, national laboratories, oil and gas companies, power utilities, and technology companies. He is frequently recruited to speak at national and international forums on the future of energy, the security of energy systems, intelligent energy infrastructures, and energy careers. He holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from MIT and an honorary doctorate from the Colorado School of Mines.