JOHN KINZER
CEO
John is a finance professional with two decades of experience, principally working with technology enterprises. Previously, John was a Managing Partner at Gramercy Hill Partners. Before that, he spent 13 years with Silicon Valley Bank working with global technology companies where he helped form, hire and lead three new business units, as well as fund and advise companies ranging from startups to large multi-national corporations. In his last role, he led SVB's cross-border business between Asia and the U.S. John received his bachelor’s degree from Westminster College.
BOB WANAT, PhD
INTERIM CTO
Dr. Wanat is an award winning Cornell educated PhD chemist with 30+ years of experience in the chemical industry with nine personal US patents and over 25 additional patents granted to his group. Dr. Wanat has led research and development initiatives around the world. He served as scientist, global director of research, director of manufacturing, and CTO for multi-billion dollar chemical companies including Rohm and Haas, Arkema and Bostik. He specializes in chemicals, plastics, polymers, materials and adhesives.
SCOTT LONG
BOARD MEMBER
Scott is a practicing attorney in the fields of commercial litigation and construction matters. He is also a real estate developer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and representative for the seed investor group, BTEP LLC.
VLAD LIZUNOV
BOARD MEMBER
Vlad is the VP of Finance and Corporate Development for Refraction Asset Management and TIU Group of Companies. He has over 20 years of mid-market M&A, capital advisory and valuation experience.
VFT’s leaders are a highly distinguished team with each member bringing expertise from broad backgrounds in key areas critical to VFT’s success. The team is comprised of PhD-level scientists trained in chemistry and biology, chemical/mechanical/structural engineers, technology entrepreneurs experienced in building IP-centric enterprises, as well as many others with diverse experience and professional accolades in their respective fields.
ANDREW HORVATH
COO
Andrew worked nearly 20 years with Arkema, a world leading specialty chemicals and plastics manufacturer. Andrew advanced through the organization and in his last role, managed the global Dimethyl Disulfide business from the Arkema corporate office in Colombes, France. Andrew graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Biology and with a minor in Chemistry, and has a Master’s degree in Business from Temple University in Philadelphia, with an executive certificate from INSEAD in France.
SCOTT DAVIS, PhD
CSO
Dr. Davis brings an extensive background in biochemistry, genetics and genome science, having published more than 100 articles and served as a professor of genetics at Texas A&M University. Dr. Davis was also a founder of ViaGen, the U.S. cloning company. Dr. Davis holds a PhD in Genetics from Washington University and has led the efforts for Fiber Reactor commercialization for the past several years.