4 minutes with… Thomas J. Murphy, CEO, SR Energy

Tell us about your company and it’s role in the Advanced Bioeconomy.

We are a mid stage, advanced biofuels technology development company. Our vision is to be a cellulosic sugar supplier to the advanced bio-economy industry. We are developing an integrated bioeconomy technology process plan that is capable of producing a wide array of high value co-products from a broad basket of feed stocks.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

I have helped our Board define SRE’s vision and the path forward to accomplish it. We have assembled a world class team of financial, technical and process experts who are our strategic partners. Collectively, we are moving our integrated technology platform from bench scale to commercial scale process capability. No single technology holds the key to efficient cellulosic conversion. Rather, a collaboration of numerous innovations must be bolted together to produce profitable outcomes. My time is divided between my board, our investors, our technology, feedstock and off take partners and the policy realm. Over the next 12 months we will complete a commercial scale simulation (ComSim) of the IP to demonstrate commercial process capability. Upon completion of ComSim we will close a $35 – $40 MM blended capital facility; engage process and design engineering and we’ll site, permit and commence construction on the first commercial scale biorefinery at our partner’s site in Canada.

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?  

The single most important milestone in our industry is to produce consistently profitable results. If a lack of capital is our largest impediment to growth. Then profitability will solve the capital crisis.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the Advanced Bioeconomy, what would you change? 

I’d change the North American mindset to mirror that of our European cousins. The EU has a clearly stated goal of GHG reduction. In support of the goal, the EU has enacted policies that have created a business environment that is much more conducive to growth than what we have in North America. The EU mindset reflects the direct will of its people

Of all the reasons that influenced you to join the Advanced Bioeconomy industry, what single reason stands out for you as still being compelling and important to you?  

I joined the ABI in 2006 because the old energy model was seriously flawed and our economic and environmental futures were in grave jeopardy. Those motivating factors are as compelling today as they were a decade ago. The difference today is that the pioneers at Poet, DuPont, Abengoa, Beta and the dozens like them have proven change is possible.

Where are you from? 

I was born in Syracuse, NY. I spent my childhood in the 1000 Islands on the St Lawrence river. It was there that my love of nature and respect for its delicate balance was born. Islanders are fiercely independent, self reliant folks who value their community and the river that sustains it. See “Save The River” for a glimpse of what people can do.

What was your undergraduate major in college, and where did you attend? Why did you choose that school and that pathway?

I studied business and economics at the State University of New York at Oswego. I chose business at the urging of a trusted mentor who suggested a business degree would prepare me for a career in a wide variety of fields. This advice proved invaluable and thus began a life long love and fascination with learning how business works.

Who do you consider your mentors – could be personal, business, or just people you have read about and admire. What have you learned from them?

My mother and father taught me that hard work and compassion for others are essential ingredients to personal and professional success.

My uncle Robert Russell taught me that dignity is not granted by others rather its is earned through quiet perseverance.

My life long friend and mentor Peter O’Neill who was a managing partner at Ernst and Young taught me that nice guys don’t have to finish last.

Nikola Tesla, Alexander Graham Belle, The Wright brothers, Bill Gates, Elon Musk…all these guys persevered in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. They never lost faith in them selves or their visions and they changed the world.

Lastly my three sons inspire me every day. They are following their passions and they remind me that to follow your dreams is the only sure path to lasting happiness.

What’s the biggest lesson you ever learned during a period of adversity?  

Adversity is the crucible of creativity. All of my best ideas have come from being pounded on the anvil of life whether in business or my personal life. The lesson for me has been to get up off the floor and redouble my efforts to solve the problem every single time I get knocked down. I know the answer is there just waiting to be found, sometimes you have to change your perspective to see it.

The other lesson I’ve learned over 25 years of business is to ask for help. I can’t do what needs doing alone. I need the help, support, enthusiasm, intellect and passion of a whole bunch of people to accomplish what we have set out to do. Failing to ask for help is not an acceptable explanation for failure.

What hobbies do you pursue, away from your work in the industry?

I play guitar and blues harmonica.

I love to cook and read business books and historical biographies.

I enjoy boating in the 1000 islands

In winter I skate, ski, ice sail and snow shoe

What are 3 books you’d want to have with you, if you were stranded on a desert island

The Bible, A Gradual Awakening and A Guide to Survival on a Desert Island

What books or articles are on your reading list right now, or you just completed and really enjoyed?  

A Gradual Awakening

How The Irish Saved Civilization

The Song Lines

Katherine the Great

What’s your favorite city or place to visit, for a holiday?

Melbourne and Tasmania, AU are incredible places. I recently visited the fabled North Shore on Oahu it was amazing, swimming with the turtles in Akumal, Mexico, Murray Island, 1000 Islands, All of Europe