Aker BioMarine, Unigen, Others Hire New Personnel

Aker BioMarine, Unigen Inc., Kyowa Hakko USA, Life Tree Manufacturing and Biova® hired and promoted new personnel for positions within their companies.   

Aker BioMarine hired Rick Kaiser, former vice president of sales for Natreon, to serve as vice president of sales for Aker BioMarine Antarctic US. Kaiser has held vice president of sales positions for the past 20 years with several branded ingredient companies, and he has experience in managing and executing the commercialization of patented and proprietary technologies. Aker BioMarine also announced that Hallvard Muri will join the company’s board of directors, stepping down as chief executive officer. He will go on to pursue other projects within the Aker group after seven years in his previous position. Matt Johansen will take his position as CEO.

Kyowa Hakko USA hired April Hollub Thiel as sales manager for the company’s southeast region, where she will focus on the nutrition market. Hollub Thiel has more than 10 years of experience in product development and quality in the nutrition industry, and she recently served as sales manager for Parker Products in Fort Worth, Texas.

Senior executive Eric Manfull joined private label contract manufacturer LifeTree Manufacturing as chief operating officer. Manfull brings decades of experience that includes strategic, managerial and technical roles to the team.

Unigen Inc. hired Rodney Storms as its regional sales director. Storms has experience in the nutraceutical industry with his record of sales and business development. Storms previously worked as director of business development at Next Pharmaceuticals, and he also held key positions with ASI International and the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA).

In addition to Storms, Grant Bergstrom and Regan Miles also received new positions within Unigen. Bergstrom is now vice president of sales and marketing, and he will help the company expand awareness and distribution of the firm’s scientifically proven ingredients. Miles will lead the company as president and CEO, and he brings more than three years of experience with Unigen. Prior to Unigen, Miles served as president of Next Pharmaceuticals, where he demonstrated his expertise in the industry.

Biova added Chris Groutt to its sales management team, where he will bring more than 15 years of professional experience in natural products and fitness. “Interest in Biova’s egg membrane ingredients continues to grow unabated," said Matt Stegenga, Biova president. “Chris brings broad marketing experience, a wealth of industry knowledge, and a long history of sales success to our team."