Merl Lindstrom

Merl R. Lindstrom is vice president, Technology, for Phillips 66. He has more than 30 years experience in research and development roles focusing on the downstream business. Before assuming his current role, Lindstrom was senior vice president, Technology, for ConocoPhillips. In his tenure with ConocoPhillips, Lindstrom served in a variety of technological and research and development (R&D) roles. He has worked in managerial R&D roles for various organizations including Downstream Technology, and Technical Services and Facilities. From 1998 to 2001, before the merger with Conoco, Lindstrom worked for Phillips Petroleum as general manager of the Woods Cross Refinery. He also spent time in various managerial R&D roles in the chemicals and petrochemicals divisions. He previously served as director of plastics/chemicals in planning and budgeting. Lindstrom began his career with Phillips in 1978 as a research chemist in research and development (R&D). In 1984, he was promoted to section supervisor in R&D in the polymers and materials area. In 1987, he was promoted to director of industry analysis in planning and budgeting for Phillips 66 Company, a division of Phillips; and he became director of alloys, blends, and compounds in plastics in 1988. He returned to R&D in 1988 as manager of the engineering materials branch. Lindstrom was born October 28, 1951, in New Rockford, North Dakota. He graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo, earning a bachelor of science degree in 1973 and a doctorate in 1978 in chemistry.