Cindy Thyfault

Cindy Thyfault, Founder and CEO, has over 26 years business experience in development, management and funding of bioenergy projects, food and fiber manufacturing, oilseed manufacturing, green building products and residential and industrial construction, both domestically and internationally.

She organized Westar Trade Resources in 1994 to develop new businesses, both domestically and internationally, and provide consulting services to companies from start-up through expansion. She has assisted companies with obtaining over $447 million in USDA, DOE, and Export-Import Bank government assisted funding programs.

Ms. Thyfault received her bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis on international business and marketing from West Texas A & M University, Canyon, Texas and has completed course work toward an MBA degree.

Ms. Thyfault also has served as the founding Chairman of the Sustainable Technologies Committee for the Dallas Regional Chamber, and as past Treasurer for the North Texas District Export Council, a volunteer organization assisting development of international trade as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. She has served as a member of Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy, a public/private association dedicated to stimulate job creation and economic development in rural Texas and to promote energy security and independence, and serves on the Texas 25 x 25 steering committee.

Ms. Thyfault is also an accomplished speaker and has given presentations on value-added agricultural development and bio-energy topics, including the Paris Air Show, Paris, France, 2011; OPIC Renewable Energy Finance for Emerging Markets Conference, New Delhi, India, 2010; Renewable Energy World Conference, 2010; National Algae Association, 2008-2009; 11th Annual Africa Summit, 2009; Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy Workshop, 2009; Sustainable Technologies Issue Forum, 2008; Champaign County Farm Bureau, 2008; Texas Renewable Energy Industries Conference, 2007; West Texas District Export Council Seminar, Midland, TX, 2006; Texas Tech University Center for Public Service Conference, Lubbock, TX, 2006; Bi-Energy Texas Conference, 2006; and the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association Conference, 2006.