OPS Magazine

Greg Garland and Marvin Ellison

Both Greg Garland and Marvin Ellison built long careers at the top of major American corporations, but their professional paths developed in different industries. Garland spent more than four decades in energy, chemicals and oil, eventually leading Phillips 66, while Ellison built his reputation through retail and home improvement, rising through Target, The Home Depot and J.C. Penney before becoming Lowe’s chairman and CEO. Their education, leadership experience, family backgrounds and estimated wealth offer an interesting side-by-side look at two prominent American business executives.

Greg Garland and Marvin Ellison Quick Bio

Profile DetailGreg GarlandMarvin Ellison
Full NameGreg C. GarlandMarvin R. Ellison
Date of Birth1960–1961, exact date not publicly confirmed1966, exact date not publicly confirmed
Age68 yearsAround 60–61 years
Net WorthEstimated around $100M–$150M — unverifiedEstimated around $58M–$100M — unverified
BirthplaceUnited States — exact birthplace not clearly documentedHaywood County, Tennessee, USA
NationalityAmericanAmerican
ProfessionBusiness Executive, Chemical Engineer, Corporate DirectorBusiness Executive, Corporate Director, Retail Leader
IndustryEnergy, Oil, Natural Gas and ChemicalsRetail, Home Improvement and Consumer Services
Famous ForFormer Chairman and CEO of Phillips 66Chairman, President and CEO of Lowe’s
Current PositionIndependent Director at ExxonMobil; Director at AmgenChairman, President and CEO of Lowe’s
Previous Major PositionExecutive Chairman of Phillips 66, 2022–2024Chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney, 2015–2018
Career Started1980 at Phillips Petroleum Company1987 at Target Corporation
Career Experience40+ years in energy and chemicals35+ years in retail leadership
EducationTexas A&M UniversityUniversity of Memphis; Emory University
Bachelor’s DegreeB.S. in Chemical EngineeringBBA in Marketing/Business Administration
MBANot publicly documentedMBA, Emory University
ParentsNot clearly documented publiclyIvory T. Ellison and mother; detailed public information is limited
SiblingsNot clearly documented6 siblings; he is one of seven children
Marital StatusMarriedMarried
SpousePrivate/not widely documentedSharyn Ellison
Children42
Family BackgroundPrivate; professional biographies focus mainly on his careerRaised in a large working-class family in Tennessee
HeightEstimated 6 ft–6 ft 2 in — unverifiedEstimated around 6 ft 2 in — unverified
WeightEstimated around 85–90 kg — unverifiedEstimated around 90 kg — unverified
Hair ColorGray/White — estimated from recent appearancesBlack/Gray — estimated from recent appearances
Eye ColorBrown — unverifiedBrown — unverified
NicknameNo widely documented nicknameNo widely documented nickname
HobbiesNot extensively documented; education, business and community service are prominent interestsGospel music, reading, business, education, family and community service
Major Company RolesPhillips Petroleum, Chevron Phillips Chemical, ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66Target, The Home Depot, J.C. Penney, Lowe’s
Phillips 66 RoleChairman and CEO, 2012–2022; Executive Chairman, 2022–2024Not applicable
Lowe’s RoleNot applicablePresident and CEO since 2018; Chairman since 2021
J.C. Penney RoleNot applicablePresident, CEO and Chairman, 2014–2018
Target RoleNot applicableOperational and leadership roles, 1987–2002
Home Depot RoleNot applicableSenior leadership roles, 2002–2014
ExxonMobilIndependent Director since 2025Not a director
AmgenDirector since 2013Not a director
FedExNot a directorBoard Member
Leadership SpecialtyEnergy operations, chemicals, global markets and corporate governanceRetail operations, logistics, customer experience and business strategy
Social MediaNo clearly verified personal Instagram accountProfessional public presence; no clearly verified personal Instagram account
Awards & RecognitionRecognized for corporate, energy and community leadershipNRF Visionary Award; McGowan Fund Ethical Leader of the Year; Corporate Executive of the Year
PhilanthropyBarbara Bush Literacy Foundation, MD Anderson and other community organizationsHigher education, faith-based and philanthropic organizations
Notable AchievementLed Phillips 66 as Chairman and CEO for a decade and later joined ExxonMobil’s boardRose from hourly retail work to lead two major Fortune 500 companies
Career FocusEnergy and industrial leadershipRetail and consumer business leadership
Public ProfilePrimarily known within energy and corporate circlesWidely recognized within the U.S. retail industry
Current StatusActive corporate director and business leaderActive CEO and corporate chairman

Greg Garland and Marvin Ellison Images

Greg Garland and Marvin Ellison Instagram

Leave a Comment