EPISODE 79
The CEO Who Crossed the Border Every Day: Francisco Leon
Francisco Leon’s story begins with a daily border crossing. Born in Mexico City and raised in
Tijuana, Francisco spent more than a decade crossing between Mexico and the United States
every day to attend school in San Diego. What began as a sacrifice by his parents to create
greater opportunities for their children became the foundation for a unique perspective on
leadership, problem-solving, and opportunity. In this conversation, Francisco reflects on
growing up between two countries, learning to navigate two cultures, and how those
experiences shaped his path from border kid to CEO of a publicly traded energy company.
As President and CEO of California Resources Corporation, Francisco now leads one of
California’s most important energy companies at a time when energy security, affordability,
climate policy, and geopolitics are colliding in real time. He discusses the realities of producing
energy in California, the importance of local energy production, and why communities are at
the center of every major decision the company makes. The conversation explores how
leadership changes when you’re responsible for critical infrastructure, thousands of employees,
and the energy needs of millions of people.
Francisco also shares his vision for the future of Latino leadership. While many Latinos continue
to celebrate being the “first” in a particular role, he believes the next chapter must be about
becoming the many. From business and technology to politics and culture, Francisco argues
that the barriers have been broken and that the challenge now is building the pipeline for
future generations. This episode is a story about ambition, responsibility, and the opportunities
that emerge when immigrant families take a leap of faith.
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ABOUT OUR GUEST
Francisco J. Leon is President and Chief Executive Officer of California Resources Corporation (CRC), an independent energy and carbon management company committed to energy transition.
Mr. Leon previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CRC, a position he held since August 2020. He originally joined CRC in 2014 during the spin-off from Occidental Petroleum as Vice President of Portfolio Management and Strategic Planning. In 2018, Mr. Leon was named Vice President of Corporate Development, where he oversaw all acquisition and divestiture activities for the company.
Prior to joining CRC, Mr. Leon worked at Occidental Petroleum Corporation, where he held various roles in Finance, Planning and U.S. and International Business Development. Mr. Leon started his career with Petrie Parkman & Co., Inc., an energy-focused boutique investment banking firm.
Mr. Leon is a member of the National Petroleum Council and is Vice Chair of the Western States Petroleum Association Board of Directors. He also serves on the American Exploration and Production Council Board of Directors and the Hispanics in Energy Board. Mr. Leon is a member of the California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the California Foundation for Commerce & Education CalCEO Council. He is also a member of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region Board, the BBA Advisory Board of the University of Texas McCombs School of Business and the Latino Corporate Directors Association. From 2019 to 2022, he served on the Board of the Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles which is one of the largest privately run homeless shelters in the U.S.
Mr. Leon holds an M.B.A. from the University of Texas, Austin, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from San Diego State University and CETYS Universidad in Mexico.
