Management Careers Contact Us Almost immediately after her stem cell transplant, Luci was back to her bouncy, happy self. Shirley Zindler Santa Rosa, CA Our Management Team Robert J. Harman, D.V.M., M.P.V.M. - CEO, founder Dr. Harman has more than 15 years of experience as a chief executive and biotechnology entrepreneur in three novel businesses, all financial successes. Dr. Harman is a veterinarian and statistician, and has overseen the completion of more than 1,000 contract research projects in his career for the development of veterinary and human biotechnology products. He has led the following companies: HTI Bio-Services, a contract research company; HTI Bio-Products, a biological reagent and antibody production company; and Animal Health Ventures, a veterinary product licensing company. Michael Dale, B.S. - COO, founder Mr. Dale has extensive business and managerial experience with multiple start-up biotech companies, and was co-founder of HTI Bio-Products, a biological reagent and antibody company. His expertise covers start-up and scale-up of operations; sales and marketing; data systems; and production. Mr. Dale and Dr. Harman have been partners for more than 15 years in biotechnology and veterinary service businesses. Ted Sand, Ph.D. - Director of Research and Development Dr. Sand's background includes extensive experience in tissue culture, medical device development, and biochemistry. As a manager and director of laboratory operations at both large and small firms, Dr. Sand has had experience with exploratory research and discovery, development of intellectual property, process development, scale-up, and production in highly regulated environments. Julie Ryan Johnson, D.V.M. - V.P. of Sales and Marketing Dr. Ryan Johnson has been in marketing and technical sales positions in the pet industry, successfully launching several veterinary products to market. She brings to the veterinary industry 17 years of private practice in equine and small animal. In addition, she has worked as the director of a very large animal shelter. Linda Black, D.V.M., PhD - Director of Clinical Development Dr. Linda Black earned her veterinary degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1992. Pursuing a career in science, Dr. Black spent four years in graduate study earning a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Black brings more than 12 years of industrial experience in the areas of transgenic model development, basic science and clinical trial study design, animal model development, veterinary service support, marketing and sales support, and equine and pet brand marketing launches. As the Director of Clinical Development at Vet-Stem, Dr. Black is responsible for designing and implementing the pre-clinical and clinical development strategy to add new approved indications to the regenerative veterinary medicine platform technology of adipose-derived stem cells. Bobby Cowles, D.V.M., M.S., M.B.A. - Equine Product Manager Dr. Cowles comes to us with a broad background in veterinary medicine. His experience includes extensive equine practice, exotics, and small animal as well as veterinary practice consulting and laboratory research. He received his master's degree in veterinary science from Washington State University 1992, his D.V.M. degree from Kansas State University 1996 and his M.B.A. from the University of Oregon 2002. With his role as Equine product manager and Western Equine Veterinary Services Manager, Dr. Cowles will provide educational and technical support for applications of regenerative cell technologies to equine veterinarians in the Western U.S. Carolyn Wrightson, Ph.D. - Director of Laboratory Operations Dr. Wrightson has more than 15 years of experience in biochemistry, molecular biology, and molecular pathology. Her expertise lies in scale-up of research technologies into high-throughput services, implementation of regulatory compliance, project management, and product development. Dr. Wrightson has experience in research and development, information systems and process development, lean systems analysis and implementation, intellectual property, and contract management. Dr. Corey Orava, D.V.M. - Eastern Equine Veterinary Services Manager Dr. Orava brings extensive clinical experience to his role as Eastern Equine Services Manager. He graduated with honors from Ontario Veterinary College before completing a year-long large animal internship at Atlantic Veterinary College. He then worked for more than six years in equine practice, working predominantly with English sport horses, many of which competed at an international level. His main interests include lameness, diagnostic imaging, and dentistry. Accountants: J.H. Cohn, LLP; San Diego, CA Legal: Gray Cary Ware and Friedenrich; La Jolla, CA