John Barnett Hess (born April 5, 1954) is an American businessman and the chairman and chief executive officer of Hess Corporation. He is the son of Leon Hess, founder of Hess Oil and Chemical Corporation (later Amerada Hess and eventually Hess Corporation), and Norma Hess, born into a Jewish family. Hess joined the family business in 1976 as a graduate trainee after completing his education at Harvard College (bachelor's degree) and Harvard Business School (MBA). He progressed through executive roles, becoming senior vice president by 1986, senior executive vice president from 1986 to 1995, and was appointed chairman and CEO in 1995, a position he has held since. Under his leadership, Hess Corporation has navigated significant challenges, including an activist investor campaign by Elliott Management led by Paul Singer, which sought to influence corporate strategy and governance. Beyond his corporate role, Hess has contributed to public policy, serving on the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board Quadrennial Review Task Force. His tenure of over 28 years underscores his deep expertise in energy markets and strategic decision-making, positioning him as a key figure in the global oil and gas industry.