Steven D. Graybill, President
Steven Graybill’s combined technical, commercial and financial experience facilitates a well-rounded approach to his consulting engagements. With over 30 years in the industry, Steven’s experience includes conducting numerous downstream asset valuations and transactions, managing the economics and planning of international refining operations, overseeing the design, construction, and operation of a grassroots condensate refinery, conducting technical and economic analyses using customized models, and serving as an expert in the areas of processing, valuation, trading, and economics. Steven holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University, a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston, and a designation of Accredited Senior Appraiser Specializing in Business Valuation.
Work History
Education
MBA, Univesity of Houston - 1990 Graduate of Conoco Management Development Program - 1984 B.S. Chemical Engineering, Iowa State University - 1982
Professional Organizations
American Institute of Chemical Engineers American Society of Appraisers - Accredited Senior Appraiser Specializing in Business Valuation Professional Engineer - Texas (# 76642) American Chemical Society
Contact
sgraybill[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Alain De Plaen, Vice President
Alain De Plaen provides clients with outstanding expertise in extracting the most value from a refining asset. Alain’s experience includes retrospective and projected margin analysis; asset optimization studies; development, audit and upgrade of PIMS-based models; critical investment reviews; processing optimization studies; and training courses in refinery economics. Alain also has excellent expertise in biofuels implementation, both from a producer’s and from a legislator’s perspective. Alain holds a Masters of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Ecole polytechnique de Louvain and industry experience working in positions with ExxonMobil, Fina, and DSM.
Work History
Education
Exec Master Degree in Finance, ICHEC Brussels Management School, Belgium - 2021 Chemical Engineer (Masters Degree), Ecole polytechnique de Louvain (UCL), Belgium - 1994
Professional Organizations
Royal Federation of Belgian Engineers (FABI) Alumni UCL
Languages
English, French (Native), Dutch
Contact
adeplaen[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Richard J. Duszynski, Vice President
Richard (Rick) Duszynski has in excess of 30 years of professional experience in the energy marketplace, including business operations, mergers and acquisitions, and investment portfolio management. Prior to joining Downstream Advisors, Rick served the private equity investment community as an energy industry subject matter expert and investment advisor as well as the Managing Director of a private hedge fund focused on midstream sector investments. Prior to this, Rick spent 22 years as an operating executive in industry, including senior executive positions with Basis Petroleum Company, Duke Energy Power Services, Atlanta Gas Light Company, and Sequent Energy Management. Rick holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Work History
Education
MBA, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana - 1981 B.S. Chemical & Petroleum Refining Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado - 1979
Professional Organizations
Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas American Institute of Chemical Engineers American Chemical Society
Contact
rduszynski[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Hameed Alaba, Consultant
Hameed Alaba has over 14 years post-qualification experience spanning engineering, technical operations and finance in the Oil & Gas and Energy sector. He started out with a leading financial institution in Nigeria where he successfully managed strategic corporate accounts. Hameed also worked in project management and engineering roles in developing Power Plant projects. Hameed has been involved with natural gas sourcing and gas supply & purchase contracts negotiations. His international work experience stems from his role as a Technical Manager for Africa’s leading facilities’ management company with a portfolio covering 6 countries in the West African region. Hameed is holding a Bachelors’ degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Lagos and an MBA with specialization in Business Management. He is a member of the Project Management Institute.
Work History
Education
MBA, Business Management @University of Lagos, Akoka - 2010 B.Sc, Mechanical Engineering @University of Lagos, Akoka - 2005
Professional Organizations
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Contact
halaba[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Eduardo Araujo, Consultant
Eduardo has more than 35 years of experience in pipelines, terminals, logistics and operations management for oil and renewable fuels transportation. Highlights among his core competencies are Supply Chain Management, Operational Optimization, Logistics Scheduling, KPI management, Regulatory Issues, Logistics and Operational Solutions Development, Project Management, Business Development, Feasibility Studies, Technical and Regulatory Standards for Pipelines and Terminals Operations. Asset valuations, Logistics services providers evaluation, logistics infrastructure and business opportunities development are also highlighted skills. Eduardo has worked in new facilities design, developing models, and developing logistics infrastructures to improve operational efficiency and build logistics solutions. Process optimization and simplification are his continuous focus towards costs rationalization and operational efficiency opportunities.
Work History
Education
MBA, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - 2015 B.S Business Administration Universidade Federal Fluminense - 2001 Technician: Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca - 1983
Languages
English, Portuguese (Native), intermediate Spanish
Contact
earaujo[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Luiz Armando, Consultant
Luiz Armando has more than 30 years of skilled professional experience acting mainly in energy sectors such as Oil & Gas, Petrochemical and Biofuels. He has experience and proven results as Executive and Consultant in activities such as Business Management, Operations, Engineering and Project Management, Process, Technology and IT, Maintenance, Procurement, Logistics, Production Planning and Control, Quality and HSE compliance, in value chain of petroleum, petrochemicals and biofuels. Luiz’s strong interpersonal and communication skills lead to build and establish good relationships. He is experienced in dealing with the Brazilian government officials and regulatory agencies, at federal, state and municipal levels, such as ANP and other. Amongst outstanding leadership, Luiz shows direct involvement in carrying out tasks, activities and projects.
Work History
Education
PMP - Project Management Professional PMI - 2009 Executive MBA Oil & Gas, (UFRJ) - 1999 Executive MBA, COPPEAD Institute of Administration - 1996 Post-graduation in Economics Engineering and Industrial Management, (UFRJ) - 1989 Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) - 1988
Languages
Portuguese (Native), English / French / Spanish (Professional Proficiency)
Contact
larmando[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Edward Arnold, Consultant
Ed Arnold has more than 40 years of highly skilled management and consultancy experience in acquisition, due diligence, project feasibility studies, project valuation, independent engineer reviews, process technology comparison and selection, refining and biofuels process development & optimization, catalyst development, conceptual process design, oil and refined product valuation, quantitative market analysis, market forecasts and strategic planning support in the downstream petroleum, biofuels, biochemicals, recycled chemicals, and heavy oil partial upgrading industries. Consulting clients have been energy majors and minors, chemicals majors and minors, pipeline companies, venture capital firms, private equity firms, banks, sovereign wealth funds, retirement funds, private investors, the US DOE, the USDA, various NGOs and process development entrepreneurs.
Work History
Education
MBA, University of Chicago - 1981 MSc Microbiology, Institute of Technology Illinois - 1982 B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of California at Davis - 1976 B.S. Biochemistry, University of California at Davis - 1976
Contact
earnold[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Stephen Beeston, Consultant
Steve is a senior oil and gas professional with over 40 years of experience in management, operations, process technology, project execution, and business development in the refining, petrochemicals, and renewables space. He has developed, sold and executed numerous projects having successfully led technology licensing and EPC project sales for multiple companies. Steve is well recognized within the industry and is in great demand to present at industry conferences.
Work History
Education
BSc (Hons) Engineering, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, UK - 1978
Contact
sbeeston[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Tania Carlos, Consultant
Tania Carlos has over 35 years of proven engineering and management experience in the oil & gas, petrochemical and biofuels industries, with an emphasis on project management, process engineering, basic and detailed engineering and business development. Tania's experience includes a senior executive position in the downstream sector, with a focus on process troubleshooting, refinery planning / scheduling, process design and owner engineering. Experience in business development in the downstream and biofuels industries. Solid skills in process engineering and engineering management. Tania holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), a master’s in business administration and has a PMI professional certification (PMP) since 2007.
Work History
Education
Project Management Professional, PMI - 2007 Executive MBA, Instituto COPPEAD de Administração UFRJ - 2002 Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro UFRJ - 1977
Languages
Portuguese (Native), English (Fluent)
Contact
tcarlos[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Ward Davis, Consultant
Ward Davis has demonstrated expertise in the development and application of refinery information technology at Conoco, Inc. including refinery information systems, crude oil measurement and analysis, yield data management, advanced process control and process optimization. As President of HPI Consultants, Inc. and then as a Downstream Solutions team member, Ward was key to the development of the crude oil property prediction correlations, creation of the minicut assays, refinery simulator, and product blending tools now licensed by Downstream Solutions, Inc. Ward holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin.
Work History
Education
B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - 1964
Professional Organizations
HPI Consultants Crude Oil Quality Group Meeting Presentation “The Assay Simulator - Crude Assay Modeling based on Simple Whole Crude Properties” (January 2003 COQG Meeting)
Contact
wdavis[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Rodrigo Falco, Consultant
Rodrigo has 20 years of experience in Business Development, Strategic Planning, Technical Sales, Feasibility Studies, Project Management, and Operations. He has a seasoned and experienced track record in energy, logistics infrastructure, and basic industry, including port and railway facilities and projects dedicated to energy, oil & gas (offshore and onshore), and steel. He gained vast experience working on large projects developing and implementing in renowned companies such as Prumo (former LLX), Vale, ArcelorMittal, and GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit).
Work History
Education
MBA, Finance, FUCAPE Business School - 2009 Post-graduation in Process Automation, University of Uberaba - 2003 B.S. Electrical Engineering, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) - 2000
Languages
Portuguese (Native), English, intermediate Spanish
Contact
rfalco[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Helena Isabel Machado Gaudêncio, Consultant
Helena is a recent graduate of Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon, Portugal. Her areas of expertise are in Information Management, Digital Business, Knowledge Management, and Business Intelligence. Helena’s focus is with business process mapping with the objective of documenting the flows, process manual, and process diagrams (BPMN), and refinement of organizational knowledge, including the development and implementation of methodology for business model designs from idea to market.
Work History
Education
MSc, Information Management - Nova School of Info Mgmt. - 2020 MSc, Management - Nova School of Business and Economics - 2020 BSc, Economics - Nova School of Business and Economics - 2017
Languages
English (fluent), Portuguese (native), French (beginner)
Awards and Honors
Fundação Amélia de Mello Scholarship, Master Scholarship - 2017 - 2018 Fisipe Award, best student of the year in Financial Accounting - 2014 - 2015
Contact
hgaudencio[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Casey Hines, Consultant
Casey Hines has 17 years of project management experience. His expertise in project management assists our clients in keeping projects in control or bringing projects back into control. Specific skills include proficiency with MS project, Primavera SureTrak, and P6. Casey is an advanced user of estimating software including Timeberline and i-sq/ft. and has a strong command of SAP programs. Casey also has extensive training in LEAN and 5S.
Work History
Education
Course Study in Business Administration at L Graceland University, Lamoni, IA - 2001
Languages
Spanish, English (Native)
Contact
chines[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Ciro Izarra, Consultant
Ciro is a dynamic professional with a clear vision of the downstream oil industry based on more than 40 years of experience in strategic planning, HSE, operations, logistics, projects, process improvement, trading and risk management, refining/petrochemical economics, and engineering.
Work History
Education
U of P. Finance Program, University of Pennsylvania - 1999 PDVSA Business Leaders, Harvard University - 1998 Executive Program, University of Michigan - 1996 Master of Business Administration, University of New Haven - 1981 Chemical Engineer, Universidad Metropolitana - 1977
Languages
English, Spanish (Native)
Contact
cizarra[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Marcelo Matthiesen Ianase, Consultant
Marcelo Ianase has more than 30 years of skilled process engineering experience in evaluating and developing new technologies for the petrochemical industry including equipment evaluation, ESH, process simulation and commercial proposal elaboration and analysis. His start-up experience includes responsibility for the follow-up and running of the plants and their development and process. Marcelo’s management experience, proven ability to manage processes include problem solving in real time. He has proven ability to complete projects within budget. As a consultant Marcelo worked in many international settings including Singapore, China, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, Germany, France, Guatemala, and United States.
Work History
Education
Engineers Degree Escola Politecnica at The University of Sao Paula - 1989
Languages
English, French, Spanish and Portuguese (native languages)
Contact
mianase[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Norberto Macias, Consultant
Norberto Macias’s refining expertise is founded on 40 years of extensive experience in international refining and marketing operations, planning, strategic planning, logistics, and economics. Over his career, Norberto has worked for EXXON Argentina, Coastal Corp. in Texas, Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia and ALON USA in Louisiana. Norberto's expertise includes modeling refinery process units and entire fuels and petrochemicals refineries; forecasting and optimizing refinery production, product quality, crude arrival, and inventory; improving and enhancing refinery economics; training engineers on refining economics; advising and coaching PIMS users; managing domestic and international sales; supervising laboratory services and teaching courses. Norberto is an expert in the use of PIMS linear program modeling and other financial models. Norberto holds an MBA degree from Texas A&M university at Corpus Christi and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Nacionál de Tucumán in Argentina.
Work History
Education
MBA, Texas A&M, Corpus Christi, TX BS Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (Argentina)
Publications
“Will the Oil Prices Stabilize and Grow?” LinkedIn, May 2017
Languages
English, Spanish (Native), Basic Italian
Contact
nmacias[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Antonio Mawad, Consultant
Antonio Mawad has 37 years of experience in a wide range of downstream functions including Commercial, Supply, Refining, Oil Terminals, Green/Brownfield Projects, Retail Networks, and Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE). Antonio brings oil industry value built upon his experience as a manager and having technical, commercial, and operational successes throughout his career involving businesses and oil facilities across the world. His leadership in multiple sectors of the oil midstream and downstream field has spanned from Europe to Africa, America, Middle East, and Far East.
Work History
Education
Masters Petroleum Refining and Petrochemicals - French Petroleum Institute, France - 1990 Bachelor’s degree Chemical Engineering - Universidad Simón, Bolívar, Venezuela - 1983
Languages
English, Spanish (Native), French, German (Basic)
Contact
amawad[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Ashley McNeal, Project Manager
Ashley McNeal has over 20 years of construction and project management experience. Specific skills include success in planning and executing diverse projects on time, safely and within budget. In complex projects he is overseeing quality control, health & safely, compliance (both legal and regulatory) and auditing. Ashley is strong in instructing and supervising on-site personnel, collaborating and reporting on all hierarchical levels.
Work History
Education
Lamar Institute of Technology, Beaumont, TX - 2004
Contact
amcneal[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Eduardo Moreira, Consultant
Eduardo Moreira holds notable areas of expertise in project and business development, commercial negotiations, strategic planning, market analysis, oil transport logistics, and refinery management. Prior to joining Downstream Advisors, Eduardo led the project development of a fuel oil joint venture with BP in Açu Port, Brazil. Eduardo is a former refinery manager and holds tremendous trading and market understanding in Brazil and South America through prior consulting engagements.
Work History
Education
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Escola de Química - UFRJ, Brazil - 1986 MBA, Coppead - UFRJ, Brazil - 1995 Specialist - Petroleum Trading & Refining, Petroleum Economist / Imperial College - London - 1996
Languages
Fluent in Portuguese (native), Spanish and English, proficient in French.
Contact
emoreira[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Ed Palmer, Consultant
Ed Palmer has 40 plus years of experience as a Process Design and Technology Professional with a history of significant accomplishments. He has in depth experience with project development and leading teams in providing technical excellence for the preparation of process designs, technology evaluations, feasibility studies, front-end loading and detailed project execution. Ed has significant experience with Business Development support including preparation of proposal execution plans and presentations to prospective clients. He is highly experienced in business strategy development including identification of technology/regulatory trends that impact customer financial performance and capital spending plans. Ed is a skilled technical writer and he has authored and co-authored numerous technical papers and presentations for industry publications and meetings.
Work History
Education
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, University of Missouri at Rolla - 1968
Professional Organizations
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Registrations/Certifications/Licenses
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Professional Chemical Engineer Texas No. 65378 Professional Chemical Engineer Louisiana No. 41990
Contact
epalmer[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
William Peltier, Consultant
William Peltier is a results-driven strategic planning executive with expertise in building and leading effective strategic planning processes with specific experience advising energy industry corporations on sustainability solutions. He is an expert in synthesizing complex concepts and data to define clear strategic direction and establish strategic roadmaps. William is skilled in building and leading strong teams while collaborating with stakeholders across the organization. He demonstrated record of success establishing relationships and motivating teams with seasoned operations and strategic leadership. William is skilled in technical due diligence.
Work History
Education
B.S. Chemical Engineering - Iowa State University - 1994
B.S. Chemistry - Iowa State University
Contact
bpeltier[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
David Pullan, Consultant
David Pullan is a highly skilled leader with a proven ability to increase efficiency, cut costs and manage significant change for major oil refineries. He has more than 20 years of experience in both hands-on engineering and the effective leadership of diverse teams and complex projects. David is accomplished at directing all aspects of mergers and acquisitions. He has excellence in restructuring technical processes and organizations to improve operational performance. David is effective at influencing strategy and tactics at board level and across global industry networks.
Work History
Education
Bachelor of Science in Materials Technology, Coventry University UK, First Class Honors - 1988
Professional Organizations
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Chartered Engineer (CEng) European Engineer (Eurlng)
Languages
German, English (Native)
Contact
dpullan[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Eyra Salazar, Consultant
Eyra Salazar has over 25 years of extensive technical and economic experience in petroleum refining and hydrocarbons marketing, including market / industry analysis, strategic planning and international business, analysis and optimization of plant operations, and process engineering. During her career Eyra has worked for PDVSA and Maraven. Eyra has particular expertise in refinery economic analyses using PIMS linear programming (LP) and other process models, crude oil selection and worldwide supply and demand for crude oil, petroleum products and refinery capacities. Eyra has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Simon Bolivar and a Master of Science degree in Operations Research from Universidad Central de Venezuela.
Work History
Education
Chemical Engineering, Simon Bolivar University (Venezuela)
Professional Organizations
Colegio de Ingenieros - Caracas
Languages
English, Spanish (Native)
Contact
esalazar[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Mark Stanger, Consultant
Mark Stanger has more than 30 years of skilled professional experience in acquisitions, valuations, and economic analysis of upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. He has in depth experience in operations management - oil and gas drilling and production, midstream oil and gas operations, natural gas processing, treating, marketing, and storage. Upstream reservoir engineering and reserves evaluation belong to his background. Mark has excellence in project development & strategic planning.
Work History
Education
MBA, Finance - Southern Methodist University - 1990 B.S. Petroleum Engineering - University of Texas - 1981
Contact
mstanger[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Ludovico Tomasi, Consultant
Ten years in oil refining provides a solid foundation for Ludovico Tomasi’s technical, economic, and financial expertise in the downstream petroleum industries. Ludovico’s notable accomplishments include areas involving economic analysis; linear program model development; scheduling; short- and long-range planning, crude oil valuations; supply chain optimization; operations improvements; and design and engineering.
Work History
Education
Innovation Project Management (Partial MBA), Fondazione CUOA - 2008 MBA, Coppead - UFRJ, BraMasters in Chemical Engineering, University of Padua -2006 Chemical expert, Technical Institute in Vicenza - 2001
Languages
Fluent in English and Italian (native), conversant in French.
Contact
ltomasi[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Jana Verberg, Consultant
Jana Verberg has 20 years of commercial and supply chain experience in the oil industry providing a solid analytical, operational and supply & trading background. Jana worked more than 16 years for ExxonMobil in Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. She has particular expertise in commercial negotiations, logistics and demand planning in the downstream petroleum industry. Through interim engagements Jana broadened her managerial experience in other sectors. Jana is holding a Master of Business Administration from a dual study at the private university Nordakademie in Elmshorn, Germany.
Work History
Education
Dipl.-Kffr. (FH) MBA, Nordakademie Elmshorn (Germany) - 2000
Languages
English, German (native), Dutch
Contact
jverberg[AT]downstreamadvisors.com
Keep in touch
Downstream Advisors, Inc.
Head Office
5151 Belt Line Road, Suite 375
Dallas, Texas, 75254
T : +1 972.980.7215
Reach Us
Europe
136 Avenue Orban
1150 Brussels, Belgium
M : +32 473.34.34.97