Michael Stomberg is the founder and CEO of The Planet Group which includes five renowned staffing companies and three global consulting organizations. Since founding Planet in 2009, Michael has led the organization to record organic growth while also leading the company through the launch of four new business lines and the acquisition of five firms. Fast approaching $500M in revenue, Planet has been named one of the Fastest-Growing and Largest Staffing Firms in the US.
Michael has over 20 years of experience developing and leading global organizations focused on the Life Sciences, Technology and Energy industries. Michael is skilled in organizational development, leadership development, streamlining operations, technology integration, team development, and global business strategy. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management.
Andrew Streiter
Executive Vice President, Planet Forward
Andrew is an accomplished leader in the recruitment industry with over 20 years of experience in sales strategy and management. Prior to joining Planet Forward, he served as CareerBuilder’s Senior Vice President of Staffing and Recruiting, which served nearly 98% of the top 150 staffing firms in the country and had more than 3,000 customers. In the role, Andrew led the sales strategy and product vision for one of the most critical segments in the world of recruitment, the staffing industry. He also served as Senior Vice President of their Managed Services division while running numerous regions as Vice President of Sales responsible for developing human capital strategies for a variety of organizations ranging from Fortune 1000 companies to mid-sized businesses. Andrew holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business and an undergraduate degree from West Virginia University.
Marni Helfand
General Counsel & VP of Human Resources
Marni Helfand is the General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources for The Planet Group. Marni oversees all legal and HR functions including providing training, advising on all areas of compliance, negotiating client agreements, managing litigation, and protecting the company's intellectual property. After leaving private practice with the law firm of Littler Mendelson, most of her career has been spent in the staffing and consulting industries. Prior to beginning her career, Marni received her Bachelor's Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations form Cornell University, and attained her JD Law Degree from Northwestern University's School of Law.
Bob Scalise
Vice President of Technology
Bob Scalise is the VP of Technology of The Planet Group of Companies and is responsible for IT support operation, implementation of new technology, process improvement, and integration. He has over 20 years experience in information technology gaining knowledge in a variety of languages, managing IT development, and help desk support. Having spent 10 years at a pharmaceutical company in research and development, Bob has a solid understanding of FDA regulations as they apply to clinical trials, pharmacovigilance, and data management. Bob earned a Bachelor’s Degree in management from DePaul University and a certificate of Information Technology Programing from DePaul University.
Pete Byer
Chief Technology Officer
Pete Byer is the CTO of The Planet Group of Companies and is responsible for IT support operation, implementation of new technology, process improvement and integration. He has over 30 years experience in information technology with knowledge of a wide variety of programming languages, systems and managing IT development. Having spent 20 years at pharmaceutical companies in research and development, Pete has a solid understanding of clinical trials, data management and the software platforms that powers them. Pete earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Northern Illinois University.
Jim Patton
Vice President, Planet Healthcare
Jim Patton joined The Planet Group in 2016 to expand the healthcare division and services. Jim brings over 13 years of experience in healthcare and is responsible for business development, recruitment strategies and account management. Jim brings a wealth of experience to clients with attention to detail and offering flexible solutions. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Cleveland State University.
Andrew John
Executive Vice President, Planet Technology
Andrew John joined Planet Technology in November 2001 to expand the company’s IT Consulting Services (known then as R121 and later as Planet121) to the US. As Executive Vice President of Planet Technology, he is responsible for the continued expansion of the Enterprise Systems business. Andrew has worked in SAP recruitment and consulting since 1998, covering industry verticals such as manufacturing, insurance, and life sciences.
Kevin Wysocki
President, Treximo
For over 15 years, Kevin Wysocki has provided hands-on leadership and helped pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology companies with some of their most significant business process improvements, PMO process development and implementation and information technology projects. Most of his project experience was within pharmacovigilance and clinical development; however, Kevin has worked in most life sciences’ R&D functions. Over the last four years, Kevin’s role has expanded beyond client delivery, overseeing all company operations.
Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Truman State University and a Master of Business Administration in Management from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
Tim Simmerly
President, Planet Forward & PFES
Tim is the CEO of our PFES consulting division and acting President of our Planet Forward staffing division. He has more than 13 years of experience in the engineering and construction consulting industries, primarily supporting large power and energy projects. He oversees global strategy, as well as the day-to-day operations. Tim is dedicated to our expansion into new market segments worldwide and championing the evolution of our EPC services to keep pace with the challenging and diverse engineering and construction fields.
Ashley Porter
Vice President Of Operations
Ashley Porter is The Planet Group's Vice President of Operations. She joined Planet Forward in 2010, quickly advancing through the organization before being named Director of Recruitment in 2013 and Director of Operations in 2016. In 2018, Ashley transitioned into a corporate role supporting operations for The Planet Group organization globally. Ashley continues to be an integral part ofThe Planet Group's global expansion with a diverse range of experience encompassing company operations, recruitment, account management, business development, mergers/acquisitions, system integrations, and training/development. Ashley holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Communications with minors in both Business Management and Leadership Studies from Bradley University.
Charles Blockley
Director, Planet Forward EU
Charles Blockley is the Director of Planet Forward EU and is currently responsible for the delivery of European Technology, Infrastructure and Energy staffing Solutions to Planet Forward’s clients. Charles has more than 12 years of experience ranging in the Technology, Construction and Infrastructure sectors. Throughout his career, he has focused on building strong and lasting relationships with clients by developing a deep understanding of their business needs and culture to ensure effective delivery of their projects and services. Charles holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems.
Loren Rakowsky
Vice President, Planet Technology
Loren Rakowsky leads the Planet Technology Creative & Digital sales team with drive, enthusiasm, and passion. A New Yorker, business professional and people-person by nature, Loren's sales experience has spanned over industries as well as the country. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with her degree in Business & Marketing, she began her career in sales which led to a decade of working within staffing. She has been with Planet since 2015, where she provides strategic staffing solutions for major clients across the US.
Lloyd Cobb
Sr. Director, Planet Pharma EU
Lloyd Cobb leads Planet Pharma across the EMEA region and has responsibility for providing operational oversight and strategic direction linked to the region. He has worked in global staffing, outsourcing and vendor partnership for over 8 years providing innovative staffing solutions across the full gamut within the Life Science Space linked to Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, CRO and Biotechnology organizations. His experience includes providing solution orientated business development initiatives, Account management, FSP solutions, outsourcing, project and Team Management. Since earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Sports and Exercise Sciences at the University of Gloucestershire Lloyd has specialized in both project and team build-outs across SME and Multi-national environments, focusing on strategic and innovative resourcing solutions to help clients achieve optimal business objectives.
Carolyn Durham
Chief Operating Officer
Carolyn Durham brings a unique blend of experience in account management, business development and corporate operations to lead the direction of our client services, business development and administrative functions. Carolyn brings over 17 years of experience in the professional staffing and consulting industries primarily supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device organizations. Her experience has encompassed sales, recruitment, business development, commercial operations and project management. Carolyn has a bachelor’s degree in communications and culture with a minor in business and sociology from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.
Tim Bauwens
Chief Financial Officer
Tim Bauwens is the CFO of The Planet Group of Companies and is responsible for accounting and reporting, financial planning, cash management, human resources and risk management. He has over 25 years corporate accounting and finance experience, having spent the early part of his career focused on mergers & acquisitions, mostly in the service and utilities sectors. Tim has spent the last ten years in the professional services and construction industries working with publicly traded and privately held companies with an emphasis on accelerated topline growth, improved cashflow, and maximizing return on investment. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Augustana College, and holds a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.
Nick Demling
President, Planet Pharma
Nick Demling offers 20 years in Clinical Trials Resource Management, Business Development – Consulting/ Project Teams, Staff Augmentation, FSPs & Outsourcing. Nick has expertise in Global Workforce optimization solutions across multiple areas of clinical research to the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Device, and CRO Industries. Mr. Demling provides a lead role in business development and client management, working with managers and on-site vendors within the industry to meet their needs for staffing solutions.
Specialties: Deep rooted relationships in the pharmaceutical/ medical device/ CRO industry. Strategic Planning, Business Development, Resource Management, Business Re-engineering, P&L Management, Acquisitions & Divestitures. Intelligent, Cost Effective, Innovative, Problem-Solving skills for international clinical trials focused on helping patients live longer, healthier lives.
Emma Morris
President, Global Workforce Solutions
Emma Morris holds over 13 years’ experience specialized in multi-sector global staffing and consulting solutions. Her experience includes international business development and vendor partnership management, commercial and operational strategy, total workforce solutions such as RPO, MSP, Payroll, FSP / Outsourcing; as well as internal staff training & leadership. Emma has specialized knowledge in global sales, talent acquisition, and business operations, and holds a strategic role within The Planet Group to provide scalable tailored resourcing solutions for group clients globally.
Ryan Gayan
Sr. Vice President, Planet Pharma
Ryan Gayan has 15 years of global resourcing experience within the pharmaceutical industry. Ryan specializes in providing flexible solutions to clients with a high attention to detail, delivery and quality. He has worked extensively on the agency side and understands the importance of speed, quality and delivery as well as within corporate HR / Talent Acquisition managing vendors, budgets and navigating the lines of communication with internal management. Additionally, Ryan has experience working for a Global outsourcing company providing full service, FSP and blended service offerings. Ryan offers a consultative, knowledgeable approach to Planet Pharma clientele. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commodity, Food and Textile Marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Andre Lozier
Vice President
Andre Lozier has been working in the Consulting, Solutions, and Staff Augmentation industry for over 15 years. His focus has always been in the life sciences sector, with the past 10 years focused specifically in clinical trial resourcing. He has been a part of building teams for Medical Writing, QA (GxP), SAS and Biostatistics, Data Management, CRAs, Project Management, and Study Management. Andre takes pride in understanding his customers business, and adding value with out of the box thinking and creativity.
Dane Yarnell
Vice President, Recruitment
As the Vice President of Recruitment for Planet Pharma, Dane Yarnell is responsible for the global consultant and direct hire delivery platform. Dane is a graduate of Northwood University with a degree in Advertising along with 11 years of experience in staffing specific to research and development within Pharma, Medical Device and Biotechnology. Dane possesses an expert knowledge of this market, along with the experience necessary to deliver quality opportunities to our consultants and the best resources to our clients. With strategic oversight and tactical management to the strongest recruitment team on a global level, Planet Pharma is a true game changer for our consultants and clients.
Keith Jervis
Sr. Director Of Operations, EU
Keith Jervis is the Operational Head for Europe. He joined the business in August of 2013 working with the ownership and leadership of the organization to plan the expansion of our operations into the UK and Europe. He has both a corporate background and an entrepreneurial spirit covering disparate market sectors of IT and Property Development, as well as a sporting background.
Scott Ragusa
President, Planet Technology and Planet Professional
As president of Planet Technology and Planet Professional, Scott Ragusa oversees the strategic direction and daily operations of these two impactful contingency search and contract staffing businesses. Scott joined Planet Technology's predecessor, WinterWyman, in 1999 after more than five years with two national temporary staffing firms. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Staffing Association (MSA).
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