Company Management

Mike Thoren has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Five Rivers since the Company’s inception.  From 2003 until 2005, Mike was the President and CEO of ContiBeef LLC, a former wholly owned subsidiary of Continental Grain Company.  Mike began his career with the Cattle Feeding Division of Continental Grain Company in 1991 and worked his way up through the Company as feedyard General Manager, Director of Feedlot Operations, Vice President of Operations, and CEO.  Mike received his Master of Science in Agricultural Economics and Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness from Washington State University.  Mike is active in a number of local and national industry groups.

Matt Buyers has been Vice President of Operations and Human Resources of Five Rivers since July 2006.  From September 2005 until his most recent position, Matt had been Vice President – Human Resources.  During his career with ContiBeef and Continental Grain Company’s Cattle Feeding Division which began in 1999, Matt held positions as General Manager and Assistant General Manager of two feedyards.  Prior to joining the Company, Matt was General Manager of Cattlco – Seminole.  Matt received a Master of Business Administration from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Russ Danner has been Vice President – Information Technology of Five Rivers since October 2006.  Russ began his career in 1990 as a Systems Analyst/Programmer for the Animal Feed Division of Continental Grain Company (CGC).  Later that year, Russ was transferred to Swine Marketing Services of the world meat group as an Analyst/Programmer.  In 1994, Russ was again transferred to the Cattle Feeding Division (later to become ContiBeef LLC) of CGC as a Staff Specialist.  From there, he went to work at ContiBeef's headquarters where he held positions as Manager – MIS and Director – Information Technology (through the Company's inception in May 2005 and until October 2006).  Russ received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Central Michigan University.

Tom McDonald has been Vice President – Environmental Affairs of Five Rivers since October 2006.  Tom began his career with the Cattle Feeding Division of Continental Grain Company in 1995 as the Manager of Human Resources (Dalhart, Texas), and later that year, added environmental affairs to his responsibilities.  He has held positions as Manager – Environmental Affairs, Senior Manager – Environmental Affairs, and Director – Environmental Affairs (through the Company's inception in May 2005 and until October 2006).  Tom received a Master of Science in Beef Cattle Production and Management from University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from West Texas State University.