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Joseph A. Mahon ARAMCO History Project Collection

 Collection
Identifier: GTM-GAMMS185

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of 47 folders of material, primarily reports and typed commentaries/reviews authored or collected by ARAMCO executive Joseph A. Mahon, concerning ARAMCO administration and management, employee recruitment and training, community development, as well as oil production and the waterfront development of Ras Tanura. This collection, and particularly the interview transcript with Mr. Mahon (Folder 47), is part of the ARAMCO History Project, with Paul J. Nance as coordinator together with Peter C. Speers, Mary Norton, and Robert L. Norberg.

The Arabian American Oil Company known as ARAMCO was organized to carry out oil operations in Saudi Arabia under a concession agreement with that country's government. The company is owned by four major U.S. oil firms, Texaco, Inc.; Standard Oil of California; Standard Oil of New Jersey; and Socony Mobil.

Joseph A. Mahon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 16, 1926. Early education was completed at Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, Pennsylvania (1944); and at the U.S. Navy V-12 Program (1944-46). Mr. Mahon attended Villanova College, receiving a B.S. in Naval Science (1947) and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (1948). In 1965, he also attended the Carnegie Mellon Graduate School Program for Executives. Mr. Mahon began his career with ARAMCO in 1951, in the engineering department in New York City. The following year he was transferred to Saudi Arabia, where he was first assigned to the refinery operations in the the refining and shipping center at Ras Tanura. Later he was assigned to the oil production operations in the town of Abqaiq. In 1961, Mr. Mahon was appointed program coordinator, reporting directly to the president of ARAMCO, and charged with overseeing the company's budget and planning activities. In subsequent years, Mr. Mahon was designated director of planning and served as secretary of the company's management committee. In 1976, he was elected vice president of engineering and construction, and two years later was promoted to senior vice president of corporate services. Mr. Mahon retired in 1982. He currently resides with his wife Ruth in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Dates

  • 1957 - 1986
  • Majority of material found within 1970 - 1977

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of the materials being used, establishing who the copyright owner is, locating the copyright owner, and obtaining permission for intended use.

Biographical Note

Joseph A. Mahon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 16, 1926. Early education was completed at Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, Pennsylvania (1944); and at the U.S. Navy V-12 Program (1944-46). Mr. Mahon attended Villanova College, receiving a B.S. in Naval Science (1947) and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (1948). In 1965, he also attended the Carnegie Mellon Graduate School Program for Executives. Mr. Mahon began his career with ARAMCO in 1951, in the engineering department in New York City. The following year he was transferred to Saudi Arabia, where he was first assigned to the refinery operations in the the refining and shipping center at Ras Tanura. Later he was assigned to the oil production operations in the town of Abqaiq. In 1961, Mr. Mahon was appointed program coordinator, reporting directly to the president of ARAMCO, and charged with overseeing the company's budget and planning activities. In subsequent years, Mr. Mahon was designated director of planning and served as secretary of the company's management committee. In 1976, he was elected vice president of engineering and construction, and two years later was promoted to senior vice president of corporate services. Mr. Mahon retired in 1982. He currently resides with his wife Ruth in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Metadata Rights Declarations

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Joseph A. Mahon, 1995.

Title
Joseph A. Mahon ARAMCO History Project Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Georgetown University Library Booth Family Center for Special Collections
Date
02/28/1996
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Revision Statements

  • 2024-03: Edited for DACS compliance by John Zarrillo.

Repository Details

Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository

Contact:
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Washington DC 20057