Get to know BOV’s Clarence P. Cazalot Jr.

Clarence P. Cazalot Jr. of Houston is vice chair of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors. Clarence retired in 2013 as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Marathon Oil Corporation. He and his wife, Ann, have three children and five grandchildren.

What three words best describe you?

Integrity, competitive and curious.

How do you define a life well-lived?

Having a lasting positive impact on peoples’ lives, whether it’s my family, friends, associates or particularly those in our community not able to care for themselves or their families.

Do you enjoy any hobbies or special interests?

As a retiree, my real interest is in spending quality time with my wife and family, and I need to do a better job of that. Beyond that and one corporate board, I find real satisfaction in my board engagements with MD Anderson, Memorial Hermann Health System and the Louisiana State University Foundation, because in each case I feel I’m using my experience and resources to benefit others.

How and why did you become involved with the Board of Visitors?

When approached as to whether I would be interested in joining the board, saying yes was very easy given the history of cancer in my family and the opportunity to be associated with a world-class institution like MD Anderson. Not long after I became a member, my wife was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. Watching this institution save her life only affirmed and strengthened my commitment to MD Anderson.

What does Making Cancer History® mean to you?

While certainly a worthy and challenging aspiration, Making Cancer History is, I believe, a very achievable goal, and no one is in a better position to make that a reality than MD Anderson. Having watched my wife and others go through the anguish and pain of cancer, and suffering the loss of several close friends, I look forward to the day that no one will suffer the ravages of this disease. I want to do what I can to make that a reality.

What’s been most rewarding as a Board of Visitors member?

My entire Board of Visitors experience has been amazing, but I’d say my reward has been getting to know and work with passionate and caring leaders for the benefit of a phenomenal institution that is making and will continue to make a very real difference in people’s lives, not just in Texas but around the world. I’ve also enjoyed drawing upon my business and financial skills in advising on myriad health care challenges confronting MD Anderson and other health care providers today.

Hometown:
New Orleans

Education:
Louisiana State University, Bachelor of Science

Board of Visitors Service:
Vice Chair
Chair: Membership and Board Development Committee
Member: Officers, Executive, Government Relations and Public Affairs committees