The management team at Botanic Oil Innovations is comprised of seasoned business professionals, aided by a group of specialist advisors.
Mark J. Mueller, President, Board Member
Mark Mueller, a life-long student of botany, is one of the founders of the Company and has served in his current capacity as President since 2003. With a Master's of Science Degree in Water Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin, Mark gained extensive experience in rural business innovation and technology programs, working for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Center for Economic Development, the Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC) and the Wisconsin Business Innovation Corporation (WBIC). As executive director of NWRPC and most recently as a consultant to that organization, he has been involved in strategic direction, development of a regional network of business enterprise centers and the formulation of equity financing fund.
Brian Keating, VP Business Development
Brian Keating joined the Botanic Oil team in May 2010 after most recently helping the world's largest natural foods retailer — Whole Foods Market — successfully launch its own tea brands and division. He has over twenty-five years experience developing and marketing beverages, natural foods, dietary supplements, and nutritionally-oriented consumer ingredients. Brian's experience in the nutritional products industry is extensive and, in addition to serving on many industry and trade boards, he served as an advisor to the botanically-focused non-profit, Herb Research Foundation. His analysis and editorial work within the botanical segments (teas, spices, herbs) of the natural products industry have appeared in the Natural Foods Merchandiser, Gourmet Retailer, The Economist, Nutrition Business Journal and many other food, beverage and healthy lifestyle periodicals.
Luke Palen, Director of Sales and Marketing
Luke has been a part of the Botanic Oil Innovations team since 2007, managing day to day sales and marketing activities. Luke is a business professional with diverse experience in the retail, manufacturing, and service industries. He's a self-starter with a solid track record of creating new business opportunities, demonstrating leadership, and working hard to achieve results. His prior experience includes founding and managing startup companies as well as managing multi-million dollar marketing initiatives for a billion dollar specialty retailer. Luke earned a BA in Business Management from St. John's University, Collegeville, MN.
Steve Groenewold, Chief Financial Officer
Steve has more than 20 years of progressive successful financial leadership experience. He's a resourceful executive with a track record of building, leading, and advising private and public companies to achieve business objectives, generate growth, and realize cost savings. He is adept at designing and implementing business performance metrics, strategic plans, and multimillion-dollar budgets. Steve assists the Company with accounting, finance and general business operations.
Dr. Daniel Saltzman, MD, PhD, FACS, Medical Director, Board Member
Dr Saltzman is the Chief of Pediatric Surgery and Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, where he also holds the Arnold S. Leonard M.D. Ph.D. Chair in Pediatric Surgery. He is a practicing pediatric surgeon at University of Minnesota Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Saltzman is actively involved in medical research. He, along with Dr. Leonard, runs the bioengineering lab at the University of Minnesota Surgery Department. He has authored numerous publications and presentations, and has won several prestigious awards including the American Surgical Association Foundation Fellowship Award. His research is focused on the use of attenuated salmonella vectors for the delivery of Interleukin-2 to unresectable tumors. This is a new and innovative cancer treatment modality, has recently commenced the first phase of human clinical trials. Dr. Saltzman has a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology, Ph.D. in surgical sciences, and his M.D. degree from the University of Minnesota.
Gregory R. (Greg) Palen, Chairman
Greg Palen has enjoyed a long and successful career as executive, entrepreneur and investor in companies spanning several industries. Botanic Oil Innovations and the Immuno-Viva line of products hold special importance to Greg. Having lost his mother to cancer, he is acutely concerned about advances in cancer research. Currently Greg is the chairman/CEO of Spectro Alloys Corporation and a managing partner of Palen Property Management. He serves as chairman of the Board for Polaris Industries, Inc. He also serves on the board of directors of a number of other corporations including Valspar Corporation and Fabcon, Inc. He holds a B.A. from St. John's University and a M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota.
Phil Bifulk, Board Member
Phil is a fully experienced business development professional. He has had extensive sales positions with major firms including 3-M, Anheusier Bush and Control Data Corporation where he served as a Vice President of the corporation's venture capital group. He is a founder and board member of Merrill Corporation.
John S. McKeon, Board Member
Jack McKeon retired in 2005 from ConAgra Foods where he served as president of the Venture Development Group. In that position, he was responsible for identifying emerging food and food-related investment opportunities for ConAgra and managing the company's interests in those enterprises. One of the opportunities that caught his eye was Botanic Oil Innovations, and the idea of bringing healthier, science based ingredients into the snack food business. Prior to joining ConAgra, Jack was a principal for seventeen years in an investment banking business that specialized in mergers and acquisitions in the food industry. He was also a founding partner of The Food Fund, a venture capital company. An alumni of the University of Minnesota and General Mills, Jack also serves on a number of boards including that of Hawkins, Inc., a publicly-owned distributor of food ingredients and pharmaceuticals in Minneapolis, where he is chairman.
Michael P. Schall, Business Advisor
Mike Schall is an experienced packaged goods executive with a strong track record in sales, marketing, operations and executive management of branded natural, specialty and snack food companies, from entrepreneurial initiatives to large national brands. Currently, Mike is President of Sales and Marketing of Townsends, Inc, a natural poultry producer. Prior to that, Mike was a Senior Vice President at Monterey Gourmet, Senior Vice President at Wise Foods Company, president/CEO of The B. Manischewitz Company and president/CEO of Guiltless Gourmet. Mike earned his MBA in Marketing at the Marshall School of the University of Southern California.
David R. Lumley, Business Advisor
David Lumley brings considerable experience of the dietary supplements category to Botanic Oil Innovations as well as a wealth of general and executive management expertise. From 1999 to 2003, Dave served as president and CEO of EAS, turning a niche provider of supplements to body builders into a powerhouse lifestyle nutrition company with multiple product lines and enviable growth and margin performance. Currently, Dave is co-COO of Spectrum Brands, as well as president of its Global Batteries and Personal Care division. A graduate of Western Illinois University, Dave earned a Masters of Journalism and an MBA from Northwestern University.