Michael Stomberg is the founder and CEO of The Planet Group which includes several renowned staffing companies and 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 multiple firms. He also led the M&A activities when in May 2021, The Planet Group merged with ProPharma Group, the leading global provider of outsourced regulatory, clinical research, compliance, pharmacovigilance, and medical information services for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. Michael assumed the role of ProPharma Group's CEO in September 2021.
Michael has over 20 years of experience developing and leading global organizations focused on the Life Sciences, Technology and Energy industries. His expertise includes 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.
Don Kraus
Vice President
Don Kraus brings over 20 years of experience in the recruitment and talent acquisition industry. Specifically, Don has worked in business development, management and leadership roles. His experience has allowed him to support many different business models including, but not limited to, RPO, MSP and strategic recruitment solutions within the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Diagnostic, CRO and Medical Device industries. Don has developed client partnerships globally, but the majority of his focus recently has been growing and supporting clients located in the Western United States.
Spencer Cricks
Director of Recruitment, EU
Spencer Cricks is responsible for overseeing the Recruitment Team for Planet Pharma EU. Spencer graduated from the University of Manchester and has spent ten years working within the staffing industry supporting Pharma and Biotechnology clients throughout Europe and the US. Having spent time working within an executive search business previously, Spencer has led senior level recruitment processes globally and enjoys building long lasting relationships with clients and candidates alike.
Adam Jacobson
Senior Director of Recruitment
As a Senior Director of Recruitment, Adam Jacobson is responsible for managing the consultant staffing and direct hire platform for Planet Pharma’s East Coast delivery team. Adam is a graduate of Western Illinois University, with a degree in Business Management, and has been involved in the clinical staffing industry for more than 20 years, specifically focused within R&D Life Sciences. Adam brings expert knowledge in the clinical staffing space and possesses the leadership qualities to deliver for both consultants and client partners worldwide.
Frank Sloan
Senior Director of Recruitment
Frank Sloan brings more than 10 years of experience specific to consultant and direct hire recruitment within the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Biotechnology industries. As a Senior Director of Recruitment, he plays a key role in building and managing recruitment teams nationwide with a focus in Pharmacovigilance, Medical Writing, R&D IT, Biometrics, and Regulatory Affairs. Frank believes in a delivery platform centered on customer service, ensuring the highest satisfaction for both consultants and clients. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University.
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
As Chief Operating Officer, Carolyn Durham is responsible for the global operations of the company. Carolyn brings over 19 years of operational excellence to her role and has a deep knowledge of multi-level organizational structures, having helped lead both Fortune 500 companies and startups to success. Her experience and leadership have been focused on developing and driving operational efficiencies on a global scale, providing strategies and incentives to accelerate revenue growth and implementing technology-driven business services.
During her career, she has overseen the integration activities of six M&As and worked closely with private equity firms and investors. She’s an expert at scaling businesses, evaluating, modifying and streamlining processes and standardizing procedures.
Throughout her career, Carolyn's experience has encompassed sales, recruitment, business development, commercial operations and project management – primarily focused in the life sciences sector. Prior to Planet, she was with Delta Pharma, which was acquired by Randstad Life Sciences and Kelly Services.
Carolyn has a Bachelor’s degree in communication 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 of 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
Nick Demling offers 20 years in Clinical Trials Resource Management, Business Development – Consulting/ Project Teams, Staff Augmentation, FSPs, and 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 leads and directs the EMEA subsidiary of Planet Pharma. She has worked in global staffing and outsourcing for over 12 years with a specific EMEA region focus, within the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Device, and CRO businesses. Her experience includes international business development, client account management, staff augmentation, FSP/Outsourcing, staff training & management, and project management. Emma has built out teams in niche verticals in start-up environments and has been able to strategically identify resourcing solutions and meet client demand in challenging circumstances.
Ryan Gayan
Sr. Vice President
Ryan Gayan has 15 years of global resourcing experience within the pharmaceutical industry. Ryan specializes in providing flexible solutions to clients with 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 industries 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.
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.
Emma Morris
President, PPG Advisory Partners
Emma Morris has 15 years of global staffing and consulting solutions experience. Her career spans multiple geographies and incorporates commercial and operational strategy in addition to sales leadership and client services for retained executive search, and global recruiting projects within the Life Sciences space. Having joined Planet Pharma in 2014, she is now President of PPG Advisory Partners where she provides strategic, scalable, and tailored executive search solutions, expert consulting services, and interim financial executives and support teams to our Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Device clients globally. Emma is committed to a high touch approach, ensuring people and passion remain at the forefront of every project.
Lloyd Cobb
Vice President, Planet Pharma EMEA
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 a decade 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.
Rebecca Pesavento
Associate Director, Recruitment
Rebecca Pesavento brings over 7 years of experience in the recruiting space, most of which has been focused in the Life Sciences sector. As an Associate Director of Recruitment, she is primarily responsible for staffing contract and permanent employees in Project Management, Pharmacovigilance, and Medical Writing capacities across the US. When it comes to recruitment, Rebecca emphasizes a positive and tailored candidate experience and ensures a mutually strong fit between her candidates and clients.
In addition to recruiting, Rebecca is responsible for overseeing the Downtown Chicago recruitment teams and is an active member in The Planet Group's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. Rebecca completed her Bachelor's Degree in Telecommunications and Spanish from Indiana University Bloomington.
Our website uses cookies to improve your experience and give us feedback as to our website performance.I'm Happy With ThisRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
