Curt S. Benefield
— Benefield Consulting Services, LLC
Areas of Expertise: Petrochemical & Refineries
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Accomplished professional with over 30 years experience in the supply and marketing functions of asphalt, business development, corporate development and planning, economics and project management. Skills have been demonstrated in asphalt business development, asphalt operations management, asphalt technical QA/QC analysis technical development, merger acquisition analysis, strategic planning, financial analysis and marketing. Incumbent has received degrees in business administration (MBA) and chemical engineering (BS).
JOB HISTORY
President
Benefield Consulting Services, LLC
Boerne, Texas
2/2010 to present
Benefield Consulting Services, LLC was established in February, 2010 upon the retirement of incumbent from Valero Energy Corporation. Consulting services have been performed for numerous clients and focused on the asphalt business. Some of these projects are listed below:
- Consulted for a West Coast asphalt producer to assess their asphalt business and provide recommendations to improve profitability. This involved the identification of alternative asphalt products and marketing strategies that would enhance the value of their blend stocks produced from this client's refinery.
- Evaluated the viability and market potential for further commercial development of a proprietary cross-linking additive to polymer modified asphalt (PMA).
- Conducted a strategic plan for a Gulf Coast asphalt blending and roofing producer. Helped develop strategies for remaining competitive and for a possible entry into the asphalt emulsion business. Assisted the client in the evaluation of a Texas refinery as a possible acquisition candidate.
- Worked closely with a Southeastern asphalt blender to develop supply alternatives for his asphalt paving and roofing terminal.
- Consulted with a client to help locate and define the viability of a major asphalt terminal to be located in the Mid-continent. Client successfully acquired the necessary permits, the land and negotiated a satisfactory agreement with the railroads, serving the area.
- Assisted a Southeastern refiner in the evaluation and acquisition of an large, integrated refinery, producing a significant quantity of asphalt products.
- Managed a client's efforts in marketing his railcar company for sale to outside investors. My efforts involved the creation of an offering brochure, the identification of possible acquiring companies, the management of the data room and the evaluation of bids for its purchase.
Since retiring from Valero, incumbent is not obligated under a “non-compete agreement” and is not restricted from working with other clients who may or may not be competitors to Valero.
Director, Asphalt Supply and Product Technical Development
Valero Marketing and Supply Company
San Antonio, Texas
6/2003 to 2/2010
Responsible for the sales and purchase of Valero's asphalt supplies throughout Valero's nationwide system. Also, responsible for the technical development of new asphalt specialty products including PMAs, ground tire rubber-modified products, warm mix additives and other products. Responsibilities also included the QA/QC plan development oversight and direction of system technical service. Incumbent also participated in the evaluation of asphalt assets as acquisition candidates as an adjunct to Valero's marketing system.
During this period, incumbent was assigned additional duties as the Director of Terminal Operations, overseeing three Gulf Coast asphalt terminals and one undeveloped site as a result of the successful acquisition of an asphalt blending and producing company. This included PL responsibilities, personnel management and administration (four terminal managers and 75 operations/maintenance personnel), capital program management, as well as safety and training responsibilities.
During my tenure I managed a staff of nine professionals including supply and technical service managers, product schedulers and commercial analysts.
Director, Marketing Business Development
Valero Marketing and Supply Company
San Antonio, Texas
1/2002 to 6/2003
Responsibilities included the initiation and development of business opportunities and projects within the Marketing Department and the acquisition and/or divestiture of marketing assets with the ultimate objective of enhancing Valero Energy's overall marketing efforts. During this period incumbent participated in a number of refinery evaluations and due diligence efforts including:
- The evaluation and subsequent acquisition of the Huntway asphalt refineries, located in California.
- The evaluation and subsequent acquisition of the Benicia refinery, located in Benicia, California.
- The evaluation and subsequent acquisition of the Coastal Corpus Christi refinery and related mid-stream assets.
- Participated as a key member on the transition team for incorporating the acquisition of the Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation and its assets into Valero.
Director, Corporate Strategic Planning
Valero Energy Corporation
San Antonio, Texas
4/2000 to 1/2002
Responsibilities were focused on the creation, coordination and subsequent follow-up of the Corporation's annual strategic plan. To be successful this position also required an ability to financially analyze, compose and present plans to senior management and to work under stressful deadlines.
General Manager, Corporate Development
Ultramar Diamond Shamrock
San Antonio, Texas
11/1997 to 4/2000
Responsibilities included the creation and subsequent consummation of business deals that enhance the corporation's return on capital employed. This position required an ability to structure, evaluate, participate in negotiations and ultimately, close a deal. Acquisitions, divestitures and business alliances were all investigated during the process. Interactions and presentations to senior management levels occurred frequently.
Manager, Special Project Development
Total Petroleum, Inc.
Denver, Colorado
2/1995 to 11/1997
Identified, evaluated and developed attractive petrochemical processing projects. Incumbent was assigned to acquisition teams in order to evaluate acquisition candidates. Developed the specialty/modified asphalt business in order to improve asphalt profitability at the Ardmore and Ark City refineries.
President
Yan-Tex, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado
11/1992 to 2/1995
Purchased and operated an independent travel agency/luggage store, located in Boulder, Colorado. Responsible for the management of the store's personnel and the total profit and loss of the business.
Manager, Planning and Risk Management
Valero Refining and Marketing Company
Houston, Texas
6/1988 to 9/1992
Responsibilities included the evaluation of major refinery acquisition projects and potential company asset acquisitions.
Vice President, Strategic Planning and Analysis
Valero Refining and Marketing Company
San Antonio, Texas
3/1987 to 6/1988
Responsible for the development and presentation of RM's five year plan and annual budget. Evaluated term feedstock arrangements. Conducted price and income forecasting. Managed a staff of five professionals. During this assignment a major lawsuit was brought against the MW Kellogg Company by Valero Energy. Incumbent worked closely with outside counsel during the discovery process and in giving over ten days of depositions.
Manager, Refinery Planning and Economics
Valero Refining Company
Corpus Christi, Texas
2/1980 to 3/1987
From 1980 through 1983, incumbent represented Valero as Project Manager in a joint venture effort with Saber Refining Company to design and construct a major, grass-roots refinery project in Corpus Christi, Texas. This required the review and evaluation of process designs and cost estimates.
From 1983 to 1987 incumbent managed and administered the newly constructed refinery's economic and planning group and MIS system's group. The position was responsible for analyzing unit performance and optimizing operations. Supervised a group of seven professionals in two groups. Incumbent was designated as a key participant in the refinery's management team and was asked to head such groups as cost control and various safety committees.
Manager, Project Development
Lo Vaca Gathering Company/Valero Hydrocarbons Company
San Antonio/Houston, Texas
9/1976 to 2/1980
Valero was spun-off from the Coastal Corporation in 1980 and was formerly known as Lo Vaca Gathering Company. Managed three professionals and was assigned the task of identifying, evaluating and negotiating processing deals to install natural gas liquids extraction plants on Valero's natural gas pipeline system.