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M. Katherine Banks

M. Katherine Banks

Former President, Texas A&M University

Dr. Banks has significant experience in engineering, technology, and academia, and she brings unique expertise in scientific lab management, safety, and nuclear safety. Before retiring in 2023, Dr. Banks served as President of Texas A&M University. She also served as Vice Chancellor of National Laboratories and National Security Strategic Initiatives for the Texas A&M University System, where she provided oversight of the Los Alamos National Laboratory contract and the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex at the RELLIS campus.

Skills and Qualifications

Strategic Planning: Dr. Banks has over 30 years of experience in academia and served as President of Texas A&M University, one of the largest U.S. universities with more than 72,000 students and 10,000 faculty and staff members. Prior to becoming President, she served as the Dean of the College of Engineering for nine years at Texas A&M and Head of the School of Civil Engineering at Purdue University. As governments and industries consider alternative forms of energy and as service companies consider additional products and services for emerging and alternative energy sources, Dr. Banks’ experience with engineering, technology, and nuclear security provide strategic insight into future opportunities.

Technology / Engineering, Energy Industry: Dr. Banks’ technical training includes a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering from the University of Florida, a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering from the University of North Carolina, and a doctoral degree in civil and environmental engineering from Duke University. She has held numerous leadership positions in engineering schools, including serving as Vice Chancellor of Engineering and Dean of Texas A&M’s College of Engineering. Dr. Banks is an Elected Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. In addition to her leadership positions and national recognition in the field of engineering, she received Oil and Gas Investor’s 25 Influential Women in Energy Pinnacle Award in 2021.

Human Resources / Compensation: Given Halliburton’s focus on developing talent, Dr. Banks’ knowledge of the American academic system is highly valuable to the board’s discussions of talent recruitment, retention, and development.

Health, Safety & Environment and Sustainability: At Texas A&M, Dr. Banks helped establish the EnMed program, an innovative engineering medical school option created by Texas A&M University and Houston Methodist Hospital, designed to educate a new kind of physician who will create transformational technology for health care. Dr. Banks’ previous oversight of Texas A&M’s Sustainability Master Plan provides unique perspectives and knowledge to the Board’s work to oversee environment, social, and governance strategy at Halliburton.

Public Policy: Dr. Banks’ leadership positions included serving as Vice Chancellor of National Laboratories and National Security Strategic Initiatives. In these capacities she has had significant engagement on matters of public policy.

 

Halliburton Committees

  • Health, Safety and Environment
  • Nominating and Corporate Governance

Current Public Company Directorships

  • Peabody Energy (since 2023)

Other Directorships and Memberships

  • Elected Fellow of the American Society of Engineers
  • National Academy of Engineering
  • Board member, Triad National Security

 

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