Texas A&M is the No. 1 public university in the country for number of Fortune 500 CEOs

A remarkable number of Texas A&M University graduates are executives in America's largest companies. That's according to new findings that show Aggie CEOs' prominent position in the Fortune 500.

The Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled by Assets Magazine of the 500 largest companies in the United States based on their total sales in the previous fiscal year. The list includes both public and private companies.

This year, investment analysts at Strategas Research Partners examined where CEOs of Fortune 500 companies earned their bachelor's degrees. They found that Texas A&M is the No. 1 public university in the country, No. 5 overall and the only Texas university in the top 10, with seven CEOs on the list.

Texas A&M is tied with Purdue University and the University of Michigan in the rankings for the top public spot. Private universities in the top 10 include Cornell, Princeton and Harvard.

Aggie CEOs of the Fortune 500

• Bruce D. Broussard '84, Mays Business School, Humana
• David M. Cordani '88, Mays Business School, The Cigna Group
• Kimberly A. Dang '92, Mays Business School, Kinder Morgan
• Robert E. Jordan '85, '86, College of Engineering, Mays Business School, Southwest Airlines,
• Travis D. Stice '84, College of Engineering, Diamondback Energy
• Noel R. Wallace '87, Mays Business School, Colgate-Palmolive
• Darren W. Woods '87, College of Engineering, Exxon Mobil

Word from the C-Suite

One of the Aggie executives on the list is David Cordani, chairman and CEO of global healthcare company The Cigna Group. Cordani, who credits his time in Aggieland as foundational to his leadership style, earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Mays Business School in 1988.

“A big part of college and university life is figuring out who you are, making new friends and working hard toward a goal,” Cordani said. “It’s also about practical lessons and how these – combined with academic learning and experience – create leadership. I was pleased, but not at all surprised, to learn that Texas A&M has served as a formative launching pad for so many of today's business leaders. I am sure that many past and present CEOs and executives share my deep gratitude for being an Aggie. The University’s core values ​​of respect, leadership and selfless service are embedded in its culture and continue to form the foundation of my work philosophy and the way I lead others.”

Halliburton CEO Jeff Miller, who received his MBA from Mays University in 1988, says Texas A&M's focus on leadership development has contributed significantly to his professional success. Halliburton is a global energy company headquartered in Houston; Earlier this year, the company hosted Aggie entrepreneurs from across the country.

“Texas A&M taught me perseverance and hope, and I learned not to give up five minutes before the miracle,” Miller said. “My time there provided the opportunity to do completely new things and learn completely new things. It was fundamental to my entire career. The Aggie Core Values ​​apply to everything and make great leaders.

“The Aggies are about something bigger than themselves,” he said.

Other notable rankings for Texas A&M this year include being named the No. 1 university in Texas by the Wall Street Journal and one of “America’s Greatest Workplaces” by Newsweek.

Learn more about Mays Business School and student leadership opportunities through the Division of Student Affairs. At Texas A&M, there are numerous leadership opportunities for students of all majors.