Exxon Mobil CEO Tillerson to be U.S. Secretary of State

• Trump Picks Exxon Mobil CEO Tillerson to Be Secretary of State

The US president-elect Donald Trump has picked Exxon Mobil Corp. chief Rex Tillerson as the next U.S. secretary of state, according to a statement credited to his team.

Tillerson has accepted the offer, according to a source familiar with the transition. If confirmed, would be the first oil executive to lead the State Department.

However, three Republicans and several Democrats have expressed apprehension about Tillerson’s close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This move by the president-elect is sure to set-off a fight in the U.S. senate during confirmation proceeding.

Tillerson will reach Exxon’s mandatory retirement age of 65 in March.