DECATUR, ILL. — Todd Werpy has been named vice-president of research and development at Archer Daniels Midland Co. He will have responsibility for all corporate research and development functions, and will oversee ADM’s efforts to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its research partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions and corporations.
Mr. Werpy joined ADM in 2007 following a 15-year tenure at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where he was responsible for research and business development for new chemicals and chemical intermediates from renewable feedstocks. He was part of the team that developed the catalytic technology ADM uses to convert glycerin and sorbitol to propylene glycol and holds more than 20 patents in the area of catalysis and chemical conversion of biomass to chemicals. He most recently was ADM’s vice-president of chemicals and advanced biofuels.
He received a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry from Southwest State University and a doctorate in chemistry from Michigan State University.