Howard C. Kauffmann graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1943 and served in the South Pacific as a naval officer during World War II. In 1946, he joined Carter Oil Company, an Exxon affiliate, and held engineering and field supervisory positions in Kansas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. After 11 years with the company, he became producing coordinator for International Petroleum Company Limited. He was elected a director and senior vice president of Exxon Corporation in 1974 and was named its president in 1975. He has served as corporate fund vice-chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and as a member of the emergency committee for American Trade and the United States International Council.