Edward K. Mills II was born in New York City in 1934. He graduated Princeton University in 1955 with honors in The Special Program in the Humanities and English. He served in the United States Air Force from 1956 through 1958. He was trained as a single-engine jet fighter pilot. He then worked for nineteen years for Exxon Corporation, serving in various capacities including Manager of Public Affairs for the United States. He later served as Chief Executive Officer of North Atlantic Refining Ltd. in Newfoundland, Canada. In addition, he owned and operated contracting companies providing technical and logistical services to the oil industry in the United States and overseas. Mr. Mills is married, has three grown children and lives in Florida.