South Dakota First Capital Group is a new, first-time investment firm and General Partner that leverages the strong business, governmental affairs, and scientific/technical expertise of its founders to create dynamic opportunities for a wide range of businesses highly focused on South Dakota and the Upper Midwest.

C-Suite Advisor in agriculture, bioproducts, and bioenergy with a focus on strategic research management, product development, business development, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, corporate finance and strategic and general management.From 2021 to 2022 I served as the Interim Chief Business Officer supporting Norfolk Healthy Produce build a future where our society lives sustainably, in good health, and in harmony with nature by embracing science and technology in produce. Norfolk Healthy Produce is the home of the purple tomato (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/20/magazine/gmos.html).From 2023 to 2024 I served as a Senior Advisor to Alphabet’s - X, The Moonshot Factory focused on the application of AI, ML and other advanced technologies in agriculture.

I serve as a volunteer member of the Executive Committee of the South Dakota EPSCoR Reach Committee. SD EPSCoR is funded by the National Science Foundation and is focused on increasing South Dakota’s science and technology research capacity, providing educational opportunities for K-12, undergraduate and graduate students, and promoting science-based economic development for South Dakota.

As a volunteer Board Member and Officer since 2021 and President of the Board of Directors since 2024, I support South Dakota Biotech as the state affiliate of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). South Dakota Biotech is non-profit organization dedicated to developing biotechnology through expanding research, advocacy, funding, education, infrastructure development and promotion. I also serve as a volunteer Officer and Board Member of the South Dakota Biotech’s wholly owned subsidiary, BioRise, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on catalyzing the growth of the bioeconomy in South Dakota.

Inari is focused on crop performance & resiliency. My efforts were to lead efforts to design/build/test gene-edited products. I was actively involved in the set up of Cambridge, MA and West Lafayette, IN locations. Created first go-to-market organization to produce/commercialize gene-edited corn & soybean seed.

I helped grow the vegetable seed business at one of the largest seed & food companies to become the market leader. Member of the Limagrain Scientific Committee and LVS Research Committee. Led global research/plant breeding team at largest and most profitable business unit in 12 countries, across 28 research centers involving over 800 people and 25 different vegetable crops. Co-founded the UCDavis - HM.Clause Life Sciences Innovation Center.

I served as a volunteer Officer (Chairman of the Board - 2009-2011) and Board Member supporting the NCALS Research Foundation’s effort to enhance research programs by obtaining public and private support for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. An outgrowth of my involvement here I was tasked to co-lead the entrepreneur and commercialization task force of the Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) which provided guidance on developing and supporting a commercial focus at the PSI.

I led a talented team of scientists and engineers in ethanol and biochemicals research and development. Served as Technical lead for E15 approval.

I led the turnaround of technology de-risking company and not-for-profit research institute on the Michigan State University campus. Completed multi-million deal to commercialize novel bioprocesses.

I led the successful IPO of world’s largest vegetable seed company. - $206 million for 23% of the company. Progressive management responsibilities for multi-brand marketing strategy, business development, IPO management, and investor relations.

I was part of a team that developed and implemented the go-to-market strategy for the first game-changing GMO crops. I co-led the investment in one of the world’s largest tomato grower/ shipper (Gargiulo LP) as a platform to commercialize genetically improved tomatoes. Post investment I led the Company’s operations and information activities.

Led biological sciences and synthetic biology research in newly created Bio-Products Division which formed Genencor International - an industrial enzyme company.

Led rhizosphere microbiome R&D - focus on land reclamation, forestry and horticultural applications.

I conducted biochemical research on novel symbiotic nitrogen-fixing organisms - stem nodulating rhizobia and rhizobia unique to West Africa.