PLT Health Solutions, Unigen, Deerland Enzymes Announce Personnel Changes, ABC Remembers Tea Expert

Among various personnel changes recently announced by companies such as PLT Health Solutions, Unigen and Deerland Enzymes, the American Botanical Council (ABC) sorrowfully announced the death of a philanthropist and tea expert who contributed significantly to the tea industry.

PLT Health Solutions appointed Seth Flowerman to executive vice president and Devin Stagg to vice president of strategy and business development for the company. The appointments reflect the organization’s initiatives to build its ingredient portfolio and offer a more comprehensive range of product development and ingredient marketing services. Flowerman joined PLT in 2010. He will operate PLT’s corporate leadership team, oversee corporate strategic initiatives and manage strategic alliances. Prior to joining in 2011, Stagg held positions in strategy and business development in several start-up companies and as a financial analyst. He will manage development of corporate strategy across a broad range of initiatives.

Research and development firm Unigen Inc. selected Regan Miles to lead the company as president and CEO. With more than 30 years of experience, Miles most recently served as president of Next Pharmaceuticals Inc. He previously served as Unigen Inc.’s president and CEO from 2002 until 2007, and he also demonstrated expertise during his time with companies such as Nature’s Way, Pharmanex and Alpine Health. 

Also, Deerland Enzymes announced several new hires within the company, including Gina Labellarte as the research and development manager. Labellarte has a master’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Additionally, Carol Maeder has been hired as the new human resources manager. Maeder brings nearly 20 years of experience to the newly created position and has a master’s degree from the University of Tulsa.The company has also announced the addition of two inside sales representatives, Nick Walton and Sarah Garcia. Both will provide direct support to the company’s sales team. Garcia will focus on international accounts, while Walton will serve mainly domestic customers.

Among the various personnel changes recently announced by companies, ABC sorrowfully announced the death of philanthropist and tea expert Steven Smith, co-founder of household tea brands including Tazo, Stash, and Steven Smith Teamaker. Smith passed away on March 23 in Portland, Oregon, from complications due to liver cancer. Smith worked tirelessly to create new and different tea blends for his company while giving back to the communities in India where many of the ingredients were sourced. Smith and his partners eventually sold their company to Starbucks in 1998 for a reported $9.1 million dollars. Today, the company is worth over $1 billion. The family suggests contributions in Smith's memory be made to Mercy Corps’ School Education Retention Program, in which Smith was personally involved, to aid the people and communities that grew his tea.