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Chief Executives
Megan C. Frost, PhD
Founder | CTO | Board Member
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Megan C. Frost, PhD
Founder | CTO | Board Member
Dr. Megan C. Frost is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Dr. Frost’s inventions are the basis of the Sterile State IP Portfolio. She was formerly professor (for 16 years) of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology and Affiliate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at Michigan Technological University. She earned a BS in Biological Sciences from University of Notre Dame, a BS in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics and an MS in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University – Indianapolis, plus a PhD in Chemistry with a Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. She was a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School. Industrial experience gained prior to completion of graduate studies includes working at Dow Elanco (Indianapolis, IN) in the Technology Applications Group. Dr. Frost also has experience as an analytical chemist at Eli Lilly and the Company (Indianapolis, IN)
Kurt D. Yockey
CEO | Board Member
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Kurt D. Yockey
CEO | Board Member
Kurt Yockey received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 1977 and graduated with honors from the Detroit College of Law in 1981. He has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan since 1981, and has been admitted Pro Hac Vice to handle matters in Ohio, Maryland, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, California, and Florida. Mr. Yockey has served as a panel member of the Attorney Discipline Board since 1988.
In 2005, Kurt Yockey was named a Michigan “Lawyer of the Year” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly for his role as hospital counsel in finding the problem in a medical device, leading to a design change which avoided patient injury. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubble.
For 40 years, Kurt has worked extensively with physicians, hospitals, medical product manufacturers, and healthcare professionals and entities. He is often selected as preferred counsel in complex litigation involving employment matters, orthopedic surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics and cardiology, and medical device matters. Kurt is general counsel for innovative medical product development companies including Sterile Spaces LLC.
Board of Directors
Layle K. "Kip" Smith
Board Chair
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Layle K. "Kip" Smith
Chairman of the Board
Kip Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Layle K. “Kip” Smith is a results oriented, values driven CEO with over 35 years of business leadership experience. He has driven transformational change within publicly traded and privately held manufacturing and high-tech companies. He is currently the Executive Chairman of the Board of Phoenix Services, LLC.
Since his first business manager’s role in 1985 Kip has been the CEO, President and/or Executive Chairman of the Board of eight companies. He has driven transformation through strengthened leadership and organizational competence coupled with a customer driven, process and a productivity based operating model. Working with private equity sponsored and public companies ranging in size from small, pre-profit start-ups to large industrial companies, Kip has extensive experience building sustainable companies.
His experience also includes a wide range of industries, including:
- Metals and Mining – Aluminum smelting, alumina refining, bauxite mining and foil rolling mills. (Noranda Aluminum) – Steel slag processing and non-core process outsourcing (Phoenix Services LLC)
- Alternate Energy – Zero emission fuel cell systems for vehicles, stationary and specialty applications (Ballard Power Systems)
- Consumer Products – Garbage bags and duct tape (Covalence Specialty Materials. Berry Plastics)
- Food Packaging – Novel zippered form, fill seal packaging systems (Zip Pak Inc) – Plastic roll packaging films (The Dow Chemical Company)
- Chemicals – Global Specialty Chemicals (The Dow Chemical Company)
- Plastics –Epoxies and basic intermediates BPA and EPI (Resolution Performance Products) – Polyolefin thermoplastic raw materials (The Dow Chemical Company) – Industrial rolled products (The Dow Chemical Company, Covalence Specialty Materials, Berry Plastics)
- Automotive – Zero emissions fuel cell engine systems (Ballard Power Stems) – Hydroformed components and formed tubular components (Crowne Automotive).
Glen Mutscher
Board Member
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Glen Mutscher
Board Member
Glen Mutscher recently retired from the Dow Chemical Company as the Global Director of Operations. He previously served as Global director of NEA Implementation, and Global Director of Manufacturing and Engineering. Glen graduated in 1990 from Valparaiso University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
He rose through the ranks of the Dow Chemical Company with responsibilities encompassing running the business activities associated with business processes and tools including their system of record ERP (SAP) across Operations. He was also responsible for controls and compliance associated with business processes and tools.
Glen was involved with the largest chemical company merger in the industry’s history with DuPont and then it’s subsequent split into three companies. Experience includes process and manufacturing optimization, process improvement, and polymers and coatings.
Mark J. Ehlert
Board Member
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Mark J. Ehlert
Board Member
Mark Ehlert retired in September, 2007 after 32 years of working in the Quality and Regulatory areas in the fields of medical devices and drugs. Today, he is serving as President of 315 Ventures, Ltd., a small company devoted to bioscience and medical device companies involved in start-up operations, remediation activities and due diligence activities associated with mergers and acquisitions. He has also been instrumental in the formation of Innovation Shore Angels, an investment and advisory group in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
His career started in 1975 with Baxter Healthcare and continued with them until joining Allegiance Healthcare in 1996 upon their spinoff from Baxter. During his time at Baxter, he worked in manufacturing operations encompassing IV fluids, injectable drugs, simple medical devices and electronic infusion devices. In addition, he spent time expanding Baxter’s presence in Asia and upon returning from Singapore was assigned to the distribution and sales areas focusing on restructuring activities.
At Allegiance, Mark was a Corporate Officer responsible for Quality, Regulatory Affairs, EH&S and Research and Development functions and maintained those areas of responsibility when Allegiance was purchased by Cardinal Health in 1999. Mark managed those areas for the medical device manufacturing businesses of Cardinal until the end of 2003 when he left Cardinal to help with the spinoff of Hospira from Abbott Laboratories.
Mark was a member of the Senior Management team that created Hospira and served as the Corporate Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs until the end of 2006 when he headed the Integration team until his retirement upon the acquisition of Mayne Pharma by Hospira.
Mark graduated from Michigan State University in 1975 with a B.S. degree in Microbiology and received the Outstanding Alumni Award from MSU’s College of Natural Science in 2006. He currently is on the Board of Directors for BioQ Pharma Corporation, FM Wound Care, LightLine Medical and Stabilux Biosciences. He previously served on the Board of Directors for Ellman International. Mark is the current Chair of the Dean’s Board of Advisors for the College of Natural Science at Michigan State.
Tom Daulton
Board Member
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Tom Daulton
Board Member
Tom Daulton is a seasoned executive with over 33 years of leadership experience in both corporate and entrepreneurial private equity ventures in the medical and dental industries. His career includes senior roles at renowned medical companies such as Baxter, Allegiance, and Cardinal Healthcare, specializing in patient-centric therapy areas such as respiratory therapy, anesthesia, diagnostic procedures, and dental prosthetics.
In 2008, Tom embarked on a successful entrepreneurial journey, partnering with GTCR to establish Devicor Medical. As CEO and Chairman, he transformed the company into a global leader in breast biopsy instruments helping diagnose 1 million+ women with Breast Cancer. The business expanded through acquisitions, platform enhancements, and the launch of a new handheld biopsy system before its successful sale to Leica Biosystems in 2014.
In 2014, Tom partnered with WCAS to revitalize National Dentex Labs, becoming the largest network of dental labs in the US under his leadership. Revenue surged and the business was skillfully navigated through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, culminating in its successful sale to Cerberus Private Equity in 2021.
Tom’s achievements include recognition as one of the 32 Most Influential People in Dentistry in 2021 by Incisal Edge and receiving the ACG Deal Maker Award in 2013. He currently serves on the boards of Sterile State Inc. and Voyager Dental Inc., innovative companies revolutionizing sterilization solutions and dental design software, respectively.
With a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communications and Marketing from Arizona State University, Tom’s unique blend of corporate and entrepreneurial experiences, coupled with his mentorship-focused, team-building leadership style.