Tom Nientimp

Tom Nientimp has a diverse work experience spanning over several industries. Tom currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer at Surly Brewing Co., where they focus on the production of great beer while promoting teamwork and having fun.

Prior to their current role, Tom worked as the Managing Director at Wayzata Brands, where they provided capital, advice, and management support to entrepreneurs. Tom also internally developed new brands with unique personalities that appealed to consumers.

Tom also has experience as the President & Co-Founder of Ingredients Matter, a company dedicated to creating natural household cleaning products made from real soap.

Before that, Tom held the position of SVP, Brand and Innovation at E.A. Sween - Deli Express, where they played a crucial role in brand development and innovation.

Tom's extensive experience in the food industry includes various roles at General Mills. As Business Unit Director, they led multi-million dollar portfolios and managed teams for different brands and categories. Tom consistently exceeded operating performance goals, driving sales growth, profitability, and productivity gains.

Tom began their career at Procter & Gamble as a Department/Manufacturing Manager. In this role, they managed plant maintenance and shift teams, demonstrating their leadership and management skills.

Throughout their career, Tom has shown a strong ability to strategically plan, build brands, drive innovation, and deliver exceptional results.

Tom Nientimp completed their Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, where they studied from 1987 to 1991. Following this, they pursued further education at Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management from 1995 to 1997 and obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a specialization in Marketing & General Management.