Coulter Partners Finds CTO for Pivot Bio

October 22, 2018 – Chris Palatucci of life sciences-focused executive search firm Coulter Partners recently placed Richard Broglie as chief technology officer of Pivot Bio, an agriculture technology company based in Silicon Valley.

Dr. Broglie leads Pivot Bio’s expert scientific team and manages research and technology development efforts. Most recently, he served as research director for microbiome discovery for DowDuPont’s agriculture division. In his more than 30-year career at DuPont, Dr. Broglie led various discovery programs that resulted in soybean and canola crops with healthier and more stable seed oil compositions, and traits for disease and pest resistance in soybean, corn, wheat, rice and sugarcane. He also served as vice president of research and member of the board of directors of InterMountain Canola, a joint venture between DuPont and DNA Plant Technology. He has authored more than 30 scientific publications and is an inventor on several important patents.

In addition to this placement, Coulter Partners recruited Ernie Sanders as Pivot Bio’s VP of product development, where he is responsible for the design, development and launch of new products. Previously, Mr. Sanders was leader of global launch and product expansions for seed applied solutions at Monsanto. In 2017, he received the Edgar M. Queeny award, the highest scientific honor given at the agrochemical giant, for his work to launch Intacta RR2 PRO soybean technology in South America.

“We are thrilled to have both Rich and Ernie as part of Pivot Bio’s leadership team and thank the team at Coulter Partners for their support in achieving these high-caliber appointments,” said Karsten Temme, CEO. “Rich’s work in economically critical crops combined with his experience in the discovery and development will help take Pivot Bio to the next level and further accelerate our discoveries in the lab. At a time when Pivot Bio is quickly advancing its unique science, Ernie will take our game-changing discoveries from the lab to the field and ultimately help farmers be more productive.”

Dr. Palatucci, client partner at Coulter Partners, said the firm was pleased to have helped Pivot Bio with the appointments. “Pivot Bio’s technology will help farmers be more productive while using a more sustainable product,” he said. “We’re looking forward to the contributions that Ernie and Rich will make, as the company launches its first product.”

Life Sciences Specialists

Coulter Partners is a senior-level executive search boutique focused exclusively on identifying global life sciences leaders and board directors. The firm serves clients in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, CRO and services sectors.

Coulter operates overseas offices in the U.K., Germany, Switzerland and Denmark. In the U.S., the firm has offices in Cambridge, MA; Princeton, NJ; Pittsburgh; Los Angeles; and Short Hills, NJ.

Dr. Palatucci, who is based in the firm’s Cambridge office, focuses on board-level and senior roles across a broad range of functions, with emphasis on technical appointments – CTO, CSO, CMO, VP, R&D. Clients range from start-ups through major pharmaceutical companies.

Technology Executives in Demand

Demand for top technology executives continues to gain momentum. Chief technology officer hiring, in fact, is expected to grow 18 percent by 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. It’s a trend that is keeping executive search firms well occupied.

A number of executive search firms have placed CTOs in recent months. Here’s a look at a few from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

Assisted by search firm Polachi Inc., Henry Schein Inc., a provider of healthcare products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, recently placed Christopher Pendergast as its SVP and CTO. Mr. Pendergast most recently served as CTO for VSP Global

Specialist recruiters Turnkey Sports and Entertainment has placed former Tampa Bay Lightning executive Sean Walker as the Philadelphia Phillies’ new CTO. Mr. Walker has 19 years of technology and information systems experience in highly visible sports environments where he was responsible for strategic IT planning and project execution. 

Rockville, MD-headquartered executive search firm JDG Associates recently recruited Vijay Desai as chief technology officer of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board in Washington, D.C. President Darren DeGioia led the assignment. Mr. Desai was head of IT operations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

CA-based search firm McDermott & Bull placed Jonathan Bourgoine as CTO with Nasdaq-traded Stamps.com. This executive recruiting engagement was conducted by partner Craig Lipus, principal consultant Garrett Lipus, and senior recruiting associate Brian Selvey.

Accelent recently placed Andreas Bayer as the CTO of Beam Solutions in San Francisco. Managing director John Boehmer led the assignment along with partner Maura McShane. Mr. Bayer has over 20 years of experience delivering software solutions to the financial industry. 

The Lancer Group, a La Jolla, CA-headquartered executive search firm, recently placed Bjorn Bjerkoe as CTO of Daxko, a provider of member-based health and wellness software solutions. Mr. Bjerkoe has over 15 years of experience leading operational and software development teams across the application software space.

ON Partners recruited Krishna Vedula as CTO of 365 Retail Markets. Mr. Vedula brings 20 years of experience leading global technology organizations in companies experiencing explosive growth, both organic and inorganic. He will be integral to 365’s efforts to increase its market share and new product introductions.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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