1. Ryan M. Zilm Biography
yan M. Zilm, CRM, CIP, IGP, is a results-oriented executive with two decades of leadership experience in
Records Management, IT and Asset Management. His broad background in the field of Information
Governance, as well as his knowledge of the energy sector, makes him a strong asset in his current role as
Manager of Records & Information Governance at Tesoro Companies based in San Antonio, TX.
Zilm began his career at Williams, a North American provider of energy infrastructure, which was #1 on Fortune’s
2015 Most Admired Companies in the Energy industry. It was at Williams that Zilm honed his technical know-how,
acting in various roles, such as IT Project Manager, Business Analyst, and System Administrator.
His exceptional project leadership skills—coupled with his knowledge of Records Management—left him well-
prepared for his transition to Records Program Manager at Newfield Exploration Company, a petroleum and natural
gas exploration company headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. At Newfield, Zilm managed departmental
budgeting, established strategies for improved records management, and acted as a liaison between business and
technology experts.
In 2016, Zilm left Newfield for his current role as Manager of Records Management at Tesoro Companies, a leading
independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products that serves the fuel needs of the western United States.
As Manager at Tesoro, he has used his extensive knowledge of the industry to accurately maintain information
assets, develop proactive data security policies, and manage daily records operations.
In addition to his leadership role at Tesoro, Zilm is also an active Director of the Board for ARMA International, a
professional organization that serves as the authority on governing information as a strategic asset. Over the years,
he has expanded his knowledge base and become an expert in the Records Management field, earning numerous
ARMA and AIIM (Association for Information and Image Management) certificate programs and certifications.
As a well-respected member of ARMA, Zilm is honored to have participated in the development of ARMA
International’s Glossary of Terms. He has also served in the IGP inaugural group and is currently a CRM Part 6
mentor, grader, and presenter.
Zilm has proven himself to be a natural leader with a gift for managing and inspiring others. It is these qualities
that led to his selection as past President of ARMA Tulsa and as Program Committee Manager of ARMA Houston.
Recently, he served as the VP of Marketing & Technology for ARMA Rio Grande while earning his EMBA from the
University of Texas San Antonio.
Due to his strong drive and attention to detail, Zilm has earned a number of awards throughout his career. He was
named Chapter Member of the Year by ARMA Austin, ARMA Houston and ARMA Tulsa and has been recognized as
Chapter Leader of the Year twice by ARMA International. He has also garnered accolades from his employers,
winning Tesoro’s Emerald Award, Newfield’s All-Star Award and Williams’ Champion Award.
However, Zilm doesn’t just work hard at his profession—he also has devoted much of his time to charitable pursuits.
He is a former mentor at Junior Achievement of Oklahoma and a volunteer for the United Way in Tulsa. Most
recently, he served on the Executive Board of TSHA, a non-profit providing support and services for those with
hearing-loss.
With Zilm’s wealth of experience and talent for public speaking, he frequently conducts presentations around the
country and is thrilled to meet other like-minded professionals. Zilm’s relentless pursuit of excellence—in
conjunction with his extensive background in Information Management—makes him a true industry leader.
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