Team
Collectively, Benchmark personnel are responsible for over dozens of issued patents, hundreds of USDA and FDA approved products and facilities, and many groundbreaking technology introductions.
The management team has years of experience with multinational biological and pharmaceutical companies and understand the application of industrial science in moving assets toward commercialization.
Benchmark team members can also be seen in numerous industry and government working groups and steering committees.
Timothy J. Miller, PhD (President)
Dr. Miller is one of the leading experts in biological development, having earned his PhD in Microbiology from the University of Kansas in 1979. Following a postdoctoral assignment to the McArdle Oncology Institute at the University of Wisconsin, he joined Armos Corporation in 1981. Armos was a biotechnology start-up seeking to apply emerging molecular biology technology to opportunities in the agricultural arena. Miller joined the SmithKline Animal Health organization in 1982, where he led a team of scientists creating novel veterinary vaccines through molecular biology. His team was extraordinarily successful and productive. Dr. Miller and his team are responsible for over 30 patents, and Dr. Miller developed the world’s first rDNA construct commercialized into a licensed product (Litterguard®). Success in that endeavor led to increasing responsibility within SmithKline Beecham, serving as Director of SKB’s Molecular Biology group and primary liaison with the corporate legal team charged with building a comprehensive patent estate and initiating key technologies in the organization. Following Pfizer’s acquisition of SKB’s animal health business, Miller led their Virology and Process Development groups until leaving in 1996 to start Benchmark Biolabs. Dr. Miller was also Chairman of the redrafting of the Summary Information Format (SIF) used by the USDA for evaluating recombinant DNA-derived vaccine and immunotherapeutic candidates. The insights into developing technologies, intellectual property and application to commercial product offer an unique combination of core expertise that is immediately applicable to clients seeking direction for their technology.
Mary Ann Pfannenstiel, PhD (Laboratory Services)
Dr. Pfannenstiel earned her PhD in Phytopathology and Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1980. She served in teaching and research roles at the University of Nebraska and at Swarthmore College before heading the Analytical Microbiology Department at SmithKline Beecham Animal Health in 1991. Dr. Pfannenstiel joined Benchmark shortly after its founding in 1996. She developed the enabling technology that led to Advent®, one of the first fully licensed and USDA-approved vaccine products to emerge from a client-supported Benchmark effort. She also developed the fermentation product Lactrol®, which is used as an inhibitor of unwanted bacterial growth during fermentation, a skill proven valuable during selection of genetically modified organisms during scale-up. Because of her breadth of understanding of USDA and FDA development paths, and because of her analytical skills, Benchmark’s laboratory operations have grown steadily. Industrial clients and government regulators have praised the novelty of systems that Dr. Pfannenstiel’s team has developed to assure that generated data is of the highest quality and is delivered on time and on budget.
Paul J. Blotkamp (Manufacturing)
Mr. Blotkamp earned his MS in Microbiology in 1979 from the University of Kansas. His early career (1974-1981) involved research into the feasibility of manufacturing specialty chemicals from renewable resources. After research assignments with Midwest Research Institute, Gulf Oil Chemicals and the University of Arkansas, Mr. Blotkamp joined Schering-Plough in 1981. At SP, he was responsible for the production of Alpha 2 Interferon for clinical trials and pre-licensing studies, and he participated in the design and commissioning of the commercial scale plant that continues to manufacture that product today. In 1983, Mr. Blotkamp accepted a position as Production Manager for Solvay Animal Health, where he managed all aspects of production for a $100-million business segment. In 1989, Mr. Blotkamp joined Oxford Laboratories as VP of Manufacturing. A series of acquisitions led to senior manufacturing roles with Upjohn, Bayer and Intervet. In 2002, Mr. Blotkamp joined Benchmark Biolabs and started developing the manufacturing model for clients, as well as process development and capabilities. His work at Benchmark has included the approval of the first plant-made vaccine-manufacturing facility in the world, the first Probiotic IND filing at the FDA and the first “green” poultry vaccine-manufacturing facility.
Madonna Carlson (Regulatory)
Ms. Carlson began her career as a microbiological research technician at the University of Minnesota Department of Veterinary Pathobiology. She then went on to develop diagnostic laboratory methods and swine vaccines for Oxford Veterinary Laboratories. After the acquisition of Oxford Veterinary Laboratories by the Upjohn company, she developed a specialization in the areas of Quality Control and Regulatory Affairs. In 1993 Ms. Carlson joined Solvay Animal Health as Director of Veterinary Biologics Regulatory Affairs. When Wyeth’s Fort Dodge Animal Health Division purchased Solvay Animal Health, she became Director of U. S. Regulatory Affairs for the merged company, and later was named Senior Director of Global Biological Animal Health Regulatory Affairs for Fort Dodge Animal Health. At the same time she served as team leader for reference requalification, and also served on key QA committees for US and International biological product change management. Ms. Carlson headed an independent consulting practice from 2006 until joining Benchmark in 2011.
Ms. Carlson has served as Chairman of the Animal Health Institute Biologics Section Regulatory Committee, and was recently an invited speaker at an Association of Veterinary Biologics conference. She has managed over 100 successful registration and licensing campaigns involving veterinary biological products intended for use in all major domestic animal species, both full and conditional, for the US and export markets. Ms. Carlson is also experienced in autogenous product regulatory and quality issues. Ms. Carlson is an experienced trainer and continues to host various nationally recognized veterinary biologics training seminars throughout the year.
Melissa A. Inman, PhD (Molecular & Bioanalytical Services)
Dr. Inman earned her B.S. in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Connecticut in 1990. At this point, Dr. Inman began work at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Greenport NY as a research scientist. During her tenure at Plum Island (1990 to 1996), she received a MS degree in 1995 from the University of Connecticut, Pathobiology and Immunology Department. At Plum Island, Dr. Inman worked on exotic animal diseases such as African Horse Fever virus, African Swine Fever virus, Foot and Mouth Disease virus, Japanese Encephalitis virus. Her efforts were concentrated in the areas of pathology, immunology, and vaccinology in a BSL-3+ environment with horses, Swine, Cows, and mice. In 1996, Dr. Inman transferred to the USDA Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) to work on development of diagnostics and epidemiology of respiratory syndrome diseases of cattle and other agriculture based animals and enteric pathogens of poultry. In 1997, Dr. Inman joined the Veterinary and Biological Department at the University of Nebraska where she obtained a PhD in 2002 studying Herpes Virus latency. In 2002, she joined the Center for Virology at the University of Nebraska, to work on Herpes virus latency encephalitis. This research produced many journal articles in peer-reviewed journals including Science. Dr. Inman collaborated with pharmaceutical companies in developing and clinical testing; modified and subunit vaccines for Bovine Herpes virus control. Dr. Inman joined Benchmark Biolabs in 2005, and since then, has been involved with the management of the Molecular and Bioanalytical department and the BSL-3 laboratory. Dr. Inman’s broad-based background in BSL3+ laboratory functions, infectious diseases, immunology, and the use of molecular biological techniques in these areas complement the clinical group’s development of infection, vaccination models and clinical measurements for licensing.
Josh Johnson (Business Development)
Mr. Johnson earned his BS in Business Administration and Finance in 2003 from the University of Wyoming, as well as completing 8 years of training as a Civil Engineer with the Armed Forces. Mr. Johnson joined Benchmark Biolabs in 2004, where he began working in the areas of IT and Facilities Management. Having had experience in structural and mechanical design, he began overseeing all internal expansion projects, which quickly evolved into lead roles in client-driven construction management and process improvement projects. His work at Benchmark has included the design, construction, licensure, and management of 5 separate facilities, as well as numerous client consultations for similar activities. Throughout the following years at Benchmark Mr. Johnson accepted management roles across a variety of disciplines in project management, operations, process improvement, and infrastructure. This broad foundation of industry experience led to his being selected to direct Benchmark’s global marketing efforts and his current role in Business Development.
For further information regarding business development and opportunities, please contact:
jjohnson@benchmarkbiolabs.com
Brian J. Cordell (Accounting & Finance)
Mr. Cordell earned his BS in Business Administration in 1980 from the University of Nebraska. He began his career with the Nebraska State Auditor’s Office. In 1983, He continued his career with internal audit assignments at First Federal Lincoln (now, Tier One Bank), and First Bank System (now, US Bancorp). In 1990, he transitioned to IT activities including business analysis, systems analysis, and project management. At First Bank, he rationalized software solutions for the Audit division and led the effort to modernize the accounting systems supporting commercial lending. In 1994, Cordell joined Norwest Mortgage (now, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage) where he led efforts to redesign key home mortgage information systems for origination and securitization. Concurrent with his time at First Bank and Norwest, Cordell completed his MBA at the University of St. Thomas in 1998. In 2000, Cordell accepted the position of Director of Administration for the East Africa Region of Mission: Moving Mountains. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, he was responsible for finance, government relations, logistics, and IT. In 2005, he returned to the US and accepted the position of Director of Accounting & Finance and also worked as CFO/VP Finance & IT for The Good News Broadcasting Association. In 2007, he joined Benchmark Biolabs where he currently directs its financial operations.
