Randy J. Cleveland, a Union native, was honored by his college alma mater, Mississippi State University, as the 2019 alumnus of the year for the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. At the annual alumni conference March 1 in Starkville, he was among a slate of impressive graduates selected by the eight academic colleges as the College Alumni-of-the-Year group. These individuals are recognized for their many prestigious accomplishments, and the passionate and loyal Bulldog spirit they embody in their personal and professional lives.
Cleveland was raised near Union, where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Billy J. Cleveland still reside. Well, Cleveland said, the postal address was Union, but the farm where he grew up was in the Mt. Zion community.
“It’s about halfway between Union and Decatur,” he said.
Growing up, he enjoyed math, science and sports while attending Decatur High School.
“We had a great sports team,” he said. “My senior year, we went undefeated in football.”
After graduation, Cleveland, wanting to stay close to home, enrolled at East Central Junior College, where he followed his passion for math and science into engineering courses. Graduating with an associate degree, he then transferred to MSU, where he studied petroleum engineering, graduating in 1983.
Since then, Cleveland has spent more than 35 years in the oil and gas industry, and he credits his MSU degree for giving him the fundamentals for a great career. He said he was grateful to be honored as the university’s 2019 engineering alumnus of the year, which places him among the most loyal alumni recognized for their lifetime accomplishments and their dedication to service.
However, Cleveland said, he also owes much of his success to his parents. Growing up on a farm, he said, his parents instilled him with a strong work ethic and sense of commitment, which has helped him throughout his life. Even when it became clear his chosen career would take him far from his home state, Cleveland said his parents never waivered in their support, encouraging him to pursue his passions and be the best he could be.
“I owe a lot to them,” he said. “I’m very blessed.”
Earlier this month, Cleveland announced he would be retiring from Exxon Mobile and spending more time with his family at their vacation home in Estes Park, Colorado. After a long a successful career, he said there are a few key points that stand out, the first of which is follow your passions.
“Find something you enjoy doing,” he said. “Everybody is different but find that passion you really enjoy.”
Talk to people and build relationships. The relationships formed over the course of a career are very important, Cleveland said.
“I’m a big supporter of internships and co-ops, especially when you get to college,” he said. “Talking to people in the industry and seeing what they do is invaluable.”
Lastly, Cleveland said, challenges will present themselves. Throughout 35 years of work in the oil and gas industry, he said numerous obstacles came up, but all of them were overcome by persistence and hard work. No matter the career path or passion, he said the best advise he can give is, “don’t give up.”
