Thomas J. Spink (Tom) serves as the team leader for NARA’s conversion/co- products team. Currently, he is president of Thomas Spink Inc. (TSI), a consulting firm specializing in biomass chemical engineering.

From 1971 to 2002, Tom created a successful a career with the Georgia Pacific Corporation in Bellingham Washington. There he began as a process engineer followed by numerous management roles. From 1995-2002, Thomas was the business manager for the pulp and chemicals operations. His responsibilities included management of sales, marketing, production, logistics, and research for chlorine, caustic, ethanol and lignin. In addition he was also responsible for sulfite pulp sales. Sales revenue for these operations exceeded $120,000,000 per year with in excess of 120 employees and 500 customers in the Pacific and Americas.

Tom is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Washington and is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He is past President of the Pacific Section of TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry) and the Lignin Institute in Atlanta Georgia.

Tom holds a master’s degree in science and chemical engineering from Oregon State University and a bachelor’s degree in science and chemical engineering from the University of Washington.

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