Rockefellers ask Exxon to split leadership

DALLAS, April 29 (UPI) -- Members of the Rockefeller family are urging Exxon Mobil Corp. shareholders to vote to split company leadership into two different positions, U.S. sources said.

The Rockefellers, the founding family of Standard Oil, which later became Exxon Mobil, will have a news conference Wednesday to explain their position, The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday.

Their view, that the chairman and chief executive officer positions should be held by two people, is a concern "held by multiple generations of their family," a press release issued by family members said.

Currently, Rex Tillerson holds both jobs.

An Exxon Mobile board statement says board members should make that decision, which will be put to a shareholder vote

Director of Ram Trust Services Bob Monk sponsored the resolution to split the jobs to help the company broaden its interests.

"It's a company that, whenever it has tried to diversify outside of its traditional businesses, has made a complete flub of them," Monk said.