Founder of MatMaCorp Inc | Lincoln, Nebraska

President and CSO : 2014 – 2024

Managed and led new product development of the company. Provided guidance and leadership in all aspects of running the company and reported to the Board of Directors. Raised $20 Million and developed two full systems for molecular diagnostics – the Solas 8 and the MYRTA. Solas 8 is a multi-sample, multi-channel portable nucleic acid analysis system. The MYRTA is a hand-held real-time PCR device that is quantitative, simple to use and utilizes direct detection of DNA/RNA (no purification or isolation involved). This was developed based on FDA feedback. All technologies developed have been patented and some patents are pending.

Neogen Corporation | Lansing, Michigan

General Manager, GeneSeek: 2010 – 2014

Managed the day to day operations of the company. Worked directly with the CEO of Neogen and identified global market opportunities and developed growth strategies. Revenue of company went from about $10 Million in 2010 to over $20 million in 2013. Recruited team members to maintain adequate staffing levels and company expanded to new custom built 15,000 sq.ft. facility. Identified acquisition targets, did due diligence and acquired Igenity division of Merial (jv of Aventis/Sanofi) and Scidera (former MMI Genomics) and integrated sales, marketing and available products to the GeneSeek portfolio. Also acquired food safety company in India for Neogen. Lobbied and passed a bill for tax exemption for biochips through the Nebraska Legislature (LB830).

GeneSeek Inc | Lincoln, Nebraska

President/CEO: 1998 – 2010

Co-founder of the company. Responsible for overall management, strategic planning, product development and marketing. From one part-time employee, company grew to 40 FTEs and from $7000 in revenue to $10 million in revenue. Company growth from operational cash-flow only and was profitable in most years. Negotiated and secured first investment in 2007 from two institutional investors and expanded to new 8000 sq.ft. laboratory facilities in June, 2009. Conceived and implemented plans to streamline production, analysis and delivery of products and services to customers. Implemented company wide SOPs and GMP/GLP standard- ISO17025.

Conceived, developed and implemented a company wide web based, secure informatics system (LIMS) that is used by all customers and lab personnel.

Negotiated sales of the company to Neogen Corporation. Experience in identifying buyer, due diligence, valuation and closing of sale.

LI-COR Inc | Lincoln, Nebraska

Applications Scientist: 1993 – 1998

Advised clients on strategies for genomic sequencing, EST projects, informatics and functional genomics. Developed marketing strategies, analysis and product positioning. Supported field sales people: technical sales, seminars, wet and dry demos; Trade shows and related functions. Helped LI-COR gain a 5% market share from zero. Nurtured and developed the Australian and New Zealand market for LI-COR Systems from zero sites to a total of 26 sites. Help sell the first 20 sequencing machines for LI-COR.

Worked extensively with engineers, scientists and software developers in a multi-disciplinary team environment and was instrumental in fostering and keeping such teams motivated and focused.