Andrew Kruse
Cookeville
Summary
Innovative and evolving professional with a strong interest in transitioning technical skills into renewable energy and sustainable waste management technologies. Proven management experience during key international engagements including supervision of plant commissioning and start-up operations. Skilled troubleshooter continually focused on identifying, isolating and resolving technical issues to ensure optimal performance and equipment uptime. Strong knowledge of project management methodologies including requirements identification, road map planning, timelines, and budget management. Excellent communicator and presenter working well with clients, senior management, technical teams, and support staff; readily build rapport with diverse individuals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner / Operator / Artisan
Illuminated Grain
Cookeville, TN
01.2023 - Current
- Founded and operated a custom woodworking and millwork business specializing in high-end, design-driven residential projects
- Designed and fabricated bespoke furniture, cabinetry, and architectural millwork in collaboration with clients and interior designers
- Executed projects from concept through installation, ensuring precision craftsmanship and alignment with overall interior vision
- Developed vertically integrated material workflow including sawmilling, solar kiln drying, and lumber processing
- Designed and built a solar kiln to improve material quality, reduce cost, and control production timelines
- Utilized CAD and CNC technology to enhance design accuracy and production efficiency
- Invested strategically in tools, equipment, and workflow optimization to scale capabilities as a solo operator
- ContributedIlluminat to local community and commercial spaces through custom signage and feature installations
Maintenance and Engineering Manager
BASF Corporation
Sparta, TN
04.2020 - 07.2022
- Led maintenance and engineering operations for a manufacturing facility, managing a team of 14 personnel
- Directed site-wide capital and automation projects including AGVs, robotic packaging systems, automated racking, and packout lines
- Served as Manufacturing Representative for major investments, ensuring alignment between engineering design and operational needs
- Established new organizational capabilities by creating and staffing Maintenance Engineer and Controls Engineer roles
- Implemented predictive maintenance program including vibration monitoring to improve equipment reliability
- Developed and executed site electrical infrastructure strategy and upgrades
- Led environmental and air quality improvement initiatives, including installation of fume management scrubber systems
Aniline Project Technology Manager
BASF Corporation
Geismar, Louisiana
04.2019 - 04.2020
- Led development of brownfield and greenfield project scopes supporting new Aniline/MNB production assets
- Collaborated with global engineering teams to design process systems aligned with site utilities and raw material constraints
- Developed process flow diagrams, capital estimates, and risk assessments for major investments
- Performed hydraulic analysis and equipment sizing to identify and eliminate process bottlenecks
- Conducted air permitting evaluations to ensure compliance with Title V regulations
- Redesigned wastewater treatment systems to expand capacity while significantly reducing capital costs
- Managed third-party contractors to evaluate and implement efficient construction strategies
Aniline/DNT Technology Engineer
BASF Corporation
03.2016 - 04.2019
- Led global continuous improvement initiatives across multiple production sites to standardize best practices
- Improved unit reliability through root cause failure analysis and engineered process solutions
- Selected as Technology Representative for major MDI/Aniline debottleneck capital project
- Developed technical scope for capacity expansion, improving maintenance strategies and parts management
- Optimized wastewater systems, increasing production efficiency and asset effectiveness
- Promoted knowledge sharing across global teams to improve operational consistency
Commissioning Manager, TDA Unit
BASF SE, TDI LU Commissioning
Ludwigshafen, Germany
04.2015 - 03.2016
- Led pre-commissioning and commissioning activities for a large-scale chemical production unit
- Managed construction completion, system cleaning, chemical inventory planning, and production startup
- Coordinated cross-functional technical teams to test and calibrate complex reactor and filtration systems
- Resolved critical technical issues including equipment sizing, piping stress, and control system tuning
- Successfully led startup of a mechanically incomplete plant, achieving full operational functionality within one year
TDI Technology Engineer
BASF Corporation
Geismar, LA
01.2013 - 03.2015
- Developed and executed capital investment strategies aligned with ROI targets and operational priorities
- Designed and implemented process automation systems including control logic, graphics, and controller tuning
- Led process hazard analyses to ensure regulatory compliance and plant safety
- Improved asset reliability and reduced maintenance costs through targeted equipment upgrades
- Maintained plant capacity through innovative process control solutions during equipment limitations
- Partnered with operations to troubleshoot production issues and optimize process performance
- Trained and mentored operators on advanced process controls and production systems
- Improved product quality and reduced off-spec events through process optimization
- Identified and resolved system leaks and inefficiencies, restoring full production capacity
TDI Production Engineer
BASF Corporation
Geismar, LA
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Developed and executed capital investment strategies aligned with ROI targets and operational priorities
- Designed and implemented process automation systems including control logic, graphics, and controller tuning
- Led process hazard analyses to ensure regulatory compliance and plant safety
- Improved asset reliability and reduced maintenance costs through targeted equipment upgrades
- Maintained plant capacity through innovative process control solutions during equipment limitations
- Partnered with operations to troubleshoot production issues and optimize process performance
- Trained and mentored operators on advanced process controls and production systems
- Improved product quality and reduced off-spec events through process optimization
- Identified and resolved system leaks and inefficiencies, restoring full production capacity
Education
B.S. - Chemical Engineering
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI05.2007
Skills
- Operations management
- Strong work ethic
- Customer-oriented
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Engineering design
- Coaching and mentoring
- Manufacturing knowledge
- Project oversight
- Stakeholder communication
- Process Hazard Analysis
Accomplishments
Learned German and built rapport with Ludwigshafen Germany TDA team leading to successful commissioning of one of the largest TDA production facilities..
Timeline
Owner / Operator / Artisan
Illuminated Grain
01.2023 - Current
Maintenance and Engineering Manager
BASF Corporation
04.2020 - 07.2022
Aniline Project Technology Manager
BASF Corporation
04.2019 - 04.2020
Aniline/DNT Technology Engineer
BASF Corporation
03.2016 - 04.2019
Commissioning Manager, TDA Unit
BASF SE, TDI LU Commissioning
04.2015 - 03.2016
TDI Technology Engineer
BASF Corporation
01.2013 - 03.2015
TDI Production Engineer
BASF Corporation
01.2009 - 01.2013
B.S. - Chemical Engineering
Michigan Technological University