New Beginning, New Adventure, and New Challenges

“There comes a day when you realize turning the page is the best feeling in the world. There is so much more to the book than the page you are currently on.” This quote from British Singer Zayn Malik is a perfect reflection of my feeling today. It is with much excitement and a bit of trepidation that I have decided to move onto next phase of my life by retiring from ExxonMobil effective March 1. While I am excited with anticipation to see what unfolds in the coming years, I am also filled with gratitude for what has been an incredible journey, both professionally and personally.?

I have been very fortunate to be able to live my life between China and United States, arguably two of the most dynamic places on the planet in the last few decades. While my professional life was mostly developed during the past three decades in the United States including opportunities traveling around the world, it was those formative years in China that largely shaped who I am as a person.?Likewise, while attending two of the world best institutions at MIT and Wharton challenged my intellectual capacity and curiosity to the fullest, it was my college education at Taiyuan University of Technology that fundamentally changed my life trajectory and allowed me the opportunity to pursue my dream along this journey.?

I have had the honor to work for ExxonMobil in the last sixteen years and W R Grace for the prior twelve years, two companies with long traditions, recognizing tradition can be a double edge sword in this increasingly dynamic world. More importantly, I have had the unparalleled opportunities to learn, the joy to work with amazing colleagues, customers, business partners from all over the world on some of the most challenging and rewarding work, and be part of teams which made meaningful contributions to the businesses and to the society. I will be forever proud of all that we accomplished together. I am especially proud to be a part of the team that lead the development of ExxonMobil’s largest ever investment in China and kept our employees safe and healthy during the pandemic outbreak in China. During the last few years of my career, it has also been particularly satisfying to support the younger generation in their endeavors and pursuits through various forms of mentoring and coaching activities.

Our journeys are not self-made, they are mostly shaped and influenced by others. Throughout this winding journey, I have wondered and stumbled, strived and persevered, but I never stopped learning. This profound experience helped me become the leader I am today, who always strived to do the very best I knew how, the very best I could. The long and winding journey has taken me to all over the world and allowed me to see the world in very different perspectives. The experience also provided me with a better appreciation of how fortunate and blessed for someone who grew up in a remote village in China with no electricity or running water and never dreamed a chance for college, came to the United States at the age of 27 with less than $200 in the pocket, to have the opportunity to do what I did. I am very thankful for the amazing opportunities we have in the country. Meanwhile, many of you have inspired me along the way and had a positive impact on my career one way or another, I want to thank everyone who has joined me on this wonderful ride and take this opportunity to say how grateful I am for your giving me the opportunity to work with you. Your support made me a better professional but more importantly a better person. Many of you have taught me not only about how to work with energy and passion, but also to live a life with dedication and devotion. I will remember and cherish those memories. At the same time, I hope the memory for our interaction, however tiny that moment was before being long forgotten, was a positive one for you as well.

Most of all, I want to thank my dear wife, Luhong.?I could not have gone through the ups and downs of the journey without her love, patience, and unweaving support; and thanks to the understanding and support from our two wonderful boys, Daniel and David, who have made our journey all worthwhile. Watching them grow into two beautiful men is the best reward of our life. I also want to pause for a moment to thank my Mom, and my Dad who never had the opportunity for formal education and no longer with us, taught their children how to live their life the fullest with dedication and pursuits.

Some of you have been asking if I am up to something new, I do not have a definite plan yet but plan to stay active. One retires from a job but never retires from making contributions. Like many, the events last two years have given us an opportunity to assess priorities in our life. I will take some time to relax and unwind, but will find meaningful ways to leverage my global business experiences to make a difference anywhere globally where opportunities present itself, however small that difference might be. I look forward to the time I will have to reflect, to learn, to explore, and to pursue other interests in my life with my family. I will try to fill up the vessel with things that inspire me, more importantly, ways to give back and ways to contribute to the society by building bridges between people around the world. Three decades in the United States helped me to rediscover China in a new and different perspective while traveling around the world taught me a lot about America. I have lived a wonderful American dream and it would be most rewarding if I could help others to pursue their dreams in any ways. I will welcome whatever comes next with humility, curiosity, drive, and passion.

Photography has been one of my hobbies and I will continue following my passion and curiosity to learn through travel, through observations, or any other means to get a deeper understanding of our world.?Thanks to the support and encouragement from the quarter million plus subscribers around the world who have been following my weekly writings, I have posted over 200 articles on various topics ranging from leadership, decision making, innovation, culture, China economic development, personal development, marathon running, and photography. I plan to keep writing, as long as you are reading, though focus might shift somewhat depending on where future interests take me. I have done thirteen marathons so far, including the one I did alone during covid in 2020 and plan to add onto the tally for as long as I can. Journey is the reward.

I like watching the world changing around us and enjoying the distinct activities and weather each season brings. Each season, though different, has its own charm. Life has its own seasons, we can find the things about each season of our journey that are unique and fully embrace them. I look forward to the next season of my life and hope to have the opportunity to see you on my next journey.

Thank you and keep in touch.

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