Current active status with the company is pending client confirmation for each team member below — org rosters change over time, and this list reflects what was recovered from the legacy site rather than a live directory.
Robert G. Britt
Founder, CEO & Chairman of the Board
Mr. Britt has been President and Chairman of Quantum Tubers Corporation and of American Ag-Tec International Ltd., which became the largest USA marketer of hybrid seed corn to international markets and which purchased the worldwide patent for the accelerated growth of pathogen-free seed potatoes currently used in the production of a Hepatitis B plant-derived vaccine. Mr. Britt graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Illinois State University. During the past 35 years, Mr. Britt has been in the business of developing international businesses and joint ventures in agricultural seed research & development, distribution, genetic research, food processing & production, along with biotechnology research & development.
Richard R. Matner, Ph.D., MBA
President, Chief Strategy Officer & Board Member
Formerly Director of Technology Transfer and Commercial Development at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2005–2013), where he spun out 9 startups. Spent 23 years at 3M Corporation’s Health Care Division, holds 9 patents, and led 6 commercialization teams generating $190 million in annual revenues from his commercialized inventions. A Six Sigma black belt, Dr. Matner discovered and commercialized the diagnostic test that tracked the Jack-in-the-Box E. coli outbreak, later codified into the Pathogen Reduction Act. Doctorate in Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Rochester; MBA, University of St. Thomas.
Thomas L. German, Ph.D. In Memoriam
Honorary Chief Science Officer (1941–2023)
Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin–Madison, with over 25 years of involvement with PlantPharm. Formerly Chair of the Entomology and Plant Pathology Departments and Director of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program, with engagements at the Tianjin Vegetable Institute.
Robert Y. Ni, Ph.D.
Board Member
An American citizen with extensive contacts among senior Chinese government officials. Born in China, educated in Taiwan and the United States, with a doctorate from Illinois Institute of Technology (1971). Formerly a professor at City Colleges of Chicago until 1992; currently President/CEO of World Technology and Trade, Inc.
Cheryl J. Dillner
Director of Marketing & Board Secretary
30 years of experience in sales and marketing, including leading marketing communications for a premier consumer packaged goods company. BA in International Relations, University of Wisconsin–Madison; Digital Marketing certification, Northwestern Kellogg.
R.C. Suresh
Chairman & Managing Director, RCS Group of Companies
Organizational lead for PlantPharm’s Indian operations, based in Kuwait City. Began his career in 1977 at the National Bank of Kuwait and founded M/s Mohd. & Al Sahen Foodstuff Co. in 1984, which reached approximately $300 million in annual turnover and a 30% share of the Kuwait restaurant/food market. Also holds the largest catering company in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, serving over 40,000 people and 120,000 meals daily. Economics graduate, Punjab University, Patiala, India.
Joseph T. Smith
Board Member
18 years of sales and marketing experience with a division of Abbott Laboratories, followed by 25+ years of healthcare and pharmaceutical consulting. Member of Legatus, the League for Business Ethics, the American College of HealthCare Executives, the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals, and the North American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Summa cum Laude graduate of Villanova University and the University of Pennsylvania.
