Dr. Albert Fischer (Non-executive Chairman)
Dr. Fischer is a citizen of the Netherlands. He joined the Group as Non-executive Chairman in 2001. Dr. Fischer is managing partner and co-founder of Planet Capital, an independent advisory firm to entrepreneurs, management teams and investors in clean technology; it is also an active investor in companies with key intellectual property in clean technology. Previously, he was a partner with Green Partners and PYMWYMIC, an investment firm focused on businesses that integrate the values of a socially and environmentally sustainable society into their day-to-day business practices. Prior to that, Dr. Fischer served in various senior functions at Reed Elsevier Science plc, one of the world’s largest providers of scientific and technical information products. Dr. Fischer served at Elsevier for nine years; his last function was Head of Development.
Dr. Fischer is a director of Social Venture Network Europe, a network of European enterprises and organisations dedicated to working according to sustainable business practices.
John Brady (Chief Executive)
Mr. Brady is a US national and joined the Group as Chief Executive in 2001. Mr. Brady is responsible for implementing the Group's strategy and for management of the Group's operations.
Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Brady was President and CEO of Alaska Seafood International, a seafood product manufacturing company. Prior to that, Mr. Brady served as Executive Vice President, Operations, for Anderson Clayton Corp, one of the world's largest vertically-integrated cotton companies. Mr. Brady served at Anderson Clayton for 19 years.
Mr. Brady is also a non-executive director of Organic Bouquet Inc. and Organic Style Limited.
Mr. Brady holds an MBA degree with an emphasis in Finance from Arizona State University and a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Connecticut.
Dr. Donald Marx (Executive Director and Chief Scientist)
Dr. Marx is a US national and was a founding director of the Group in 1995, following 37 years with the USDA Forest Service. As Chief Scientist, Dr. Marx oversees the Group’s research programmes and works with the Group’s partners and customers to explain and demonstrate to them the benefits of Plant Health Care's approach to plant management. He also manages the university and field-testing of Plant Health Care products, and chairs the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Marx lectures extensively throughout the USA and abroad on soil ecology, plant physiology, mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria. He has authored more than 250 scientific papers in forest microbiology, has presented more than 400 invitational lectures in 28 countries, as well as at most major universities in the USA, and has carried out research in 25 countries. As a result of his accomplishments Dr. Marx has received numerous awards, including the Marcus Wallenberg Prize (awarded by the King of Sweden), the Barrington Moore Award from the Society of American Foresters, the USDA Distinguished Science Award, the Superior Achievement Award from the US Department of Energy and the Congress Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Plant Protection from the International Congress of Plant Protection.
Stephen Weaver (Finance Director)
Mr. Weaver is a US national and joined the Group as Chief Financial Officer in 2007. He was appointed to the board on 28 March 2008. He is responsible for managing the accounting, finance, human resource and information technology functions for the Group.
Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Weaver was Chief Financial Officer of Xaloy, Inc., an international manufacturing business serving the global plastics industry. Prior to that, Mr. Weaver served consecutively as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President and General Manager of Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc., a manufacturing company serving the global steel industry. He served at Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc., a NASDAQ listed company, for eleven years.
Mr. Weaver holds an MBA degree from Indiana University and a BA degree in economics from DePauw University.
Thomas Isler (Senior Independent Director)
Mr. Isler is a Swiss national and joined the Board of the Group in 2001. Mr. Isler has extensive experience in industry, international marketing and private and international banking. He is currently CEO of a privately-owned Swiss textile company, and is a director of several other Swiss companies, including Desco von Schulthess AG, an international trading house. From 1987 to 2005, Mr. Isler served as a Member of Parliament of the Canton of Zurich.
Dr. Robert Chanson (Non-executive director)
Dr. Chanson is a Swiss national. He joined the Board of the Group in 1995. He is a lawyer, politician and ecoinvestment consultant. In 1991, he founded Eco-Rating International Limited in Switzerland and since its inception has been Executive Chairman. He is also Chairman and CEO of Ambiocare Holdings Limited in Switzerland. Dr. Chanson acts as a member of various advisory boards and committees in academic research, commerce and environmental conservation in Europe and the USA.
Samuel Wauchope (Non-executive director)
Mr. Wauchope is a UK citizen and joined the Group as a non-executive director in June 2004. A chartered accountant, Mr. Wauchope’s executive career has involved CEO and Executive Chairman positions in a number of UK listed companies, including Acorn Computer Group plc, Oceonics Group plc and Ultrasis plc. He has also served as a non-executive director on the boards of other fast-growing UK quoted companies, including Waste Recycling Group plc and Gall Thomson Environmental plc. Mr. Wauchope is currently advisor to a number of private companies and a non-executive director of Property Recycling Group plc.