Tom Dries Email & Phone Number

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Consulting firm that provides strategic analysis and guidance to clients in the renewable chemicals and biofuels markets. Helps clients solve critical supply chain and business development issues.Refined and implemented market development strategy for a global partnership that developed renewable technology in the field of carboxylic acid and related derivatives such as acrylic acid.Managed the site selection process and the development of strategic supply chain partners for a startup firm that is commercializing renewable technology for the production of dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives.Conducted a strategic analysis of potential options for biopolymers and platform chemicals as an entry into the renewable chemicals field.Assessed the future refining needs and drivers for the adoption of new renewable fuel blend stocks.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Responsible for all aspects of the strategic analysis, site selection process, and site services agreements for renewable chemical plants in North America, Asia and the EU. Also responsible for supply chain management for feedstocks and other essential raw materials. Close collaboration with COO on FEL1 and FEL 2 for first commercial plant. Hired engineering staff. "Chief Reality Officer" for process economics.

Greater Denver Area

Responsible for the market development efforts for a portfolio of renewable fuels and chemicals based on biobutanol as well as the development of supply chain partners for sourcing biobutanol.Responsible for leading all facets of the market development efforts in the refining and petrochemical industries.Evaluated ethanol sites for strategic fit with business objectives. Establish partnerships with ethanol producers to supply biobutanol using proprietary production technology.Participated in fund raising efforts with equity investors and strategic partners. Provided market data and business support for grants offered by the DOE and other government agencies.Identified future refining needs and regulatory changes that drive the use of renewable blend stocks in the transportation fuels market. Determined strategic fit and incremental value created by using renewable blend stocks. Identified multiple product opportunities in the chemicals markets with a total market value in excess of $23 billion. Established relationships with targeted petrochemical customers.Developed a comprehensive data base and predictive models to assess strategic fit and cost to serve for over 50 ethanol sites. Established key contacts, introduced retro-fit concept for biobutanol production and entered into due-diligence with several potential partners. Participated in two successful multi-million dollar fund-raising rounds. Achieved positive increases in business valuation with each round despite a significant downturn in the economy.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Key role responsible for the development of four, 100 million gallon-per-year ethanol plants representing an investment in excess of $700 million. Responsible for all facets of site selection and development during a period of explosive industry growth. Evaluated greenfield sites and co-location opportunities with third party assets. Was the primary interface with state & local economic development organizations, elected officials, landowners and other local contacts. Managed the environmental permitting activities for multiple sites including all engineering and design activities as well as the application processes with the state environmental agencies. Negotiated land options, utility services and rail service agreements for five sites. Developed the site layouts and received all environmental permits necessary to develop each site. Enhanced company reputation with honest, timely and professional communication regarding the project. Secured commitments in excess of $ 20 million in state and local incentives. Project was discontinued in June 2007 - unable to raise sufficient equity investment due to the impending financial crisis and rising concerns of overcapacity in the ethanol industry.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Implemented a major re-alignment effort across 11 business units serving the food ingredients market to simplify and significantly improve the customer’s experience when doing business with Cargill. Worked with senior management of the businesses to identify and facilitate resolution of structural and process issues and to resolve disputes arising from changes in decision rights.Insured alignment of product line, category and functional plans and resolved conflicts from changes in business objectives. Managed a multi-year, multi-million dollar budget for the re-alignment process. Developed budget allocation methodology and communicated budget allocations to the business units.Successfully implemented initiatives that improved cooperation and communication across the customer facing functions of sales, marketing and technical services.Combined back office functions such as credit and invoicing with no negative impact to the customer.Reduced budgeted expenditures by over 10% in year 1 and reduced projected costs for year 2 by $1.7 million. Justified and delivered on an equitable allocation process.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

1.) Led a multi-national development effort in the feed ingredients business to commercialize “breakout” opportunities to substantially increase market share and profitability.Coordinated the efforts of Sales, Marketing and Research teams in the EU and North America to identify new applications that created substantial value. Worked closely with R&D to determine the incremental value. Provided guidance necessary to build a sound business case.Negotiate supply agreements for the targeted amino acids and license agreements for the protective technology for the amino acids. Successfully developed protected amino acid products that created substantial value for the customer and Cargill. Developed market and financial data necessary to justify the business case for commercial development. Negotiated supply agreement for key amino acid at 30% below initial cost projections. Established successful partnership with provider of protective coating technology.Project was placed into Animal Nutrition business and advanced to the field trial stage at targeted accounts within the European market.2.) Led a business development project to identify and commercialize global opportunities in the non- nutritive sweetener market. Network with business units in Asia, Europe and North America that serve the food and beverage industries to identify the competitive landscape. Assessed the market potential and identify new opportunities for entering the market.Worked with M&A group to assess acquisition opportunities. Work with R&D to evaluate technical opportunities and the business case for investing in new technologies. Analyzed two acquisition opportunities and several technology licensing opportunities. Developed the market and financial data to justify continued commercial interest in the market. Project culminated with the establishment of a new business unit to manage Cargill’s entry into the non-nutritive sweeteners market.

Greater Omaha Area

Midwest Lysine, LLC was a joint venture between Cargill and Degussa AG of Germany. The business built and operated an advanced, fermentation-based production facility to produce a value-added form of lysine, an essential amino acid for the animal feed industry. Responsible for assessing the business opportunity and was the principle Cargill representative throughout negotiations and formation of the joint venture. Negotiated the joint venture agreement as well as related multi-year service and supply agreements. Accountable for the overall financial performance of the business reporting directly to the Board. Developed and implemented annual business plans, operating budgets and capital expenditures. Developed 5 year plans for the future growth and profitability of the business. Worked closely with the Sales and Marketing partner to review and refine strategic sales and marketing plans. Insured alignment of R&D activities with business plans. Ensured compliance with all State and Federal regulations as well as all policies established by the Board. Successfully merged two corporate cultures into a focused, high performing business team. Led a $100 million capital investment project – completed it on time and under budget. Grew the business to annual gross revenues in excess of $200 million and a ROGI in excess of 22% within a four year period. Increased production by 40% over design and reduced total unit costs by over 20%.Designed and implemented a team-based operating philosophy, organizational structure and compensation system that drove high levels of employee engagement.Managed the successful transition of the business to sole ownership by Degussa AG without any disruption in operations or impact on profitability.

Eddyville, Ia

Evaluated the strategic fit and compatibility of fermentation-based business opportunities with Cargill business objectives. Built and maintained customer and partner relationships. Negotiated and managed partnership agreements with several international corporations as well as a portfolio of long term supply agreements for production facilities that were co-located adjacent to Cargill facilities.

Mba, Production Management

Bs, Biology