Growing up as the youngest of five brothers in Kimberly, Idaho, Benjamin Dille learned early on how to navigate challenges and find his place in the world. Today, he brings that same adaptability and problem solving spirit to his role at the Milk Innovation Center (MIC) at Idaho Milk Products, where he has become an indispensable part of the R&D team.
Small Town Roots, Big Adventures
Benjamin's childhood was filled with the kind of adventures that only come from growing up in a close-knit community surrounded by open fields. "It was a newer subdivision when my parents moved in... everything was surrounded by fields," he recalls. Those fields came with their own temptations, including an irrigation ditch that became a source of both fun and parental concern.
"My brother, that's just older than me, he really liked to go swimming in this irrigation ditch during the summer, and obviously not the safest thing in the world," Benjamin laughs, remembering the constant battle between his parents and the boys about staying out of the dangerous waterway.
When asked about his childhood heroes, Benjamin's answer reveals the strong family bonds that shaped him: "In the second grade, I actually had... a school project we had to write about who our superheroes were. And at the time, it was my oldest brother. I thought he was just the greatest thing in the world."
From Restaurant Floors to Laboratory Excellence
Benjamin's career journey began at the age of 15, when he washed dishes at a Denny's restaurant where his older brother was the manager. What started as weekend dishwashing quickly evolved when opportunity knocked. "One weekend, there was a server that didn't show up, and I kind of got moved from washing dishes to serving. That quickly turned from just a temp position to a permanent position."
This early experience in the fast paced restaurant industry taught Benjamin valuable lessons about adaptability and seizing opportunities, skills that would prove invaluable in his current role.
Mastering Complex Systems
Today, Benjamin works with sophisticated equipment in the MIC, with his primary focus on the MicroThermics system, "by far the hardest piece to run." The complexity is staggering: "There are so many different valves and pressures and temperatures that you have to watch and maintain throughout the whole process. One to process one batch, which typically takes about 30 minutes. If you're going to process one batch, it takes about five hours because of the startup and shutdown on either side."
The Pride of Organization
One of Benjamin's greatest professional accomplishments might surprise you – it's not operating complex machinery but creating order from chaos. When he started, the inventory system was, in his words, "a little bit of a headache."
"I definitely have to say that it's one of my things that I'm most proud of, that any one of the scientists can ask me for any product that they need, and I can tell them exactly where it's at and exactly how much of it we have on hand," Benjamin explains. His systematic approach has transformed how the entire department operates, making everyone's job easier and more efficient.
Innovation in Action
For Benjamin, innovation isn't about grand gestures, it's about continuous improvement. "Innovation, I would say, is not being afraid to think outside of the box. Always looking for better ways to do things," he reflects.
He recently improved equipment cleaning procedures, noting that "all of the little things kind of add up to big things." This philosophy of incremental improvement exemplifies the innovative spirit that drives Idaho Milk Products forward.
A Collaborative Environment
The MIC operates on principles that Benjamin clearly values. "Venkat, on the very first day, the first thing he said was there are no stupid questions. The only questions that are stupid are the ones that weren't asked. There are no mistakes except for the ones that are made twice."
This collaborative approach shows in their problem solving process: "It's not really a matter of who's right or wrong. It's a matter of getting it right."
Life Beyond the Lab
When he's not ensuring the smooth operation of complex dairy processing equipment, Benjamin enjoys the thrill of motorcycle riding on his CB1000 and looks forward to snowboarding season at Sun Valley and Pomerelle. He's even moved back into his childhood home in Kimberly, coming full circle to where his story began.
The Daily Difference
Benjamin's days are never predictable: "Every day, honestly, it's completely different. And there are days when I walk in kind of expecting one thing, and it's a 360. I do something completely different than what I expect." From checking equipment for leaks to managing inventory, updating Standard Operating Procedures, and supporting critical R&D trials, Benjamin ensures that innovation can happen seamlessly.
Benjamin Dille's journey from a small town kid washing dishes to a key player in dairy innovation demonstrates that success often stems from embracing opportunities, remaining curious, and never being afraid to ask questions. His story reminds us that behind every breakthrough in food science, dedicated individuals like Benjamin make sure everything runs smoothly. One perfectly organized inventory system and one expertly maintained piece of equipment at a time.
