Executive Team
Karen D. Sorber | Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Karen D. Sorber | Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Karen D. Sorber | Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Karen brings more than 35 years of experience in building and leading private and federal organizations. She has delivered leading studies and assessments in policy, management, and the technical aspects of federal acquisition. She serves as CEO and chair of Micronic's Board of Directors.
Kelly P. Rock | Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder
Karen D. Sorber | Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Karen D. Sorber | Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Kelly invented Tornadic One-Pass™ and holds 15 Micronic patents, which he has assigned to the company. Rock previously invented 21 patented automotive, medical, and water technologies.
Liz Doerr | Chief Financial Officer
Karen D. Sorber | Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
Robert Thibodeau | Sr. Engineering Consultant
Liz serves as a fractional CFO for several clients and helps startups prepare for future growth, capital raises, or acquisitions. She has held a number of leadership positions in public and private companies. She was the departmental CFO at CSX (Fortune 500) for the company’s Innovation and Technology departments and later joined the Ric
Liz serves as a fractional CFO for several clients and helps startups prepare for future growth, capital raises, or acquisitions. She has held a number of leadership positions in public and private companies. She was the departmental CFO at CSX (Fortune 500) for the company’s Innovation and Technology departments and later joined the Richmond-based venture capital firm, NRV, to help manage the company’s $55 million angel investing portfolio.
Robert Thibodeau | Sr. Engineering Consultant
Nathalie Ionesco, PhD. | Chief Commercial Officer
Robert Thibodeau | Sr. Engineering Consultant
Robert is a seasoned manufacturing optimization expert known for his adept value stream mapping, meticulous process analysis, and unwavering commitment to operational excellence. With a diverse industry portfolio spanning aerospace, communications, firearms, commercial products, and automotive manufacturing, Robert has established himself
Robert is a seasoned manufacturing optimization expert known for his adept value stream mapping, meticulous process analysis, and unwavering commitment to operational excellence. With a diverse industry portfolio spanning aerospace, communications, firearms, commercial products, and automotive manufacturing, Robert has established himself as a respected authority on driving efficiencies, cost controls, and strategic insourcing initiatives.
Throughout his career, Robert has consistently demonstrated his prowess in guiding decision-making processes, offering invaluable advisory roles to company boards and executives. His expertise extends to product design innovation, process design, rapid prototyping, and seamless transitions to manufacturing environments. Robert's leadership has been instrumental in spearheading new market penetration strategies, fostering customer-focused Agile manufacturing practices, and implementing transformative technological upgrades. Notably, during his tenure at the Trex Company, he significantly improved quality and cost performance through strategic plant consolidation and the successful implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles. Robert holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech.
Nathalie Ionesco, PhD. | Chief Commercial Officer
Nathalie Ionesco, PhD. | Chief Commercial Officer
Nathalie Ionesco, PhD. | Chief Commercial Officer
Nathalie Ionesco, PhD. is the Chief Commercial Officer for Micronic Technologies. Dr. Ionesco has over 35 years of experience in both field and management positions in the water industry. She is currently Co-Chairwoman and CTO of her own consulting company providing strategic and technical guidance to a range of companies. She served a
Nathalie Ionesco, PhD. is the Chief Commercial Officer for Micronic Technologies. Dr. Ionesco has over 35 years of experience in both field and management positions in the water industry. She is currently Co-Chairwoman and CTO of her own consulting company providing strategic and technical guidance to a range of companies. She served as Senior Director - Technical & Performance for Veolia North America leading design and supporting operations of Hazardous Waste assets owned by Veolia (incineration, landfill, waste processing and recovery, liquid waste). She worked on decarbonization road mapping, renewable energy projects, permitting, as well as technology evaluation, innovation, and associated strategy. She led the technical scope of several acquisitions and integrations thereafter. Previously, she led the Veolia Water Technologies - Hydrex Chemicals Division globally and lead the global strategy, pricing, value proposition, product management, supply chain, regulatory, innovation, and life cycle analysis. She lead teams based in Europe, USA, Asia, Middle East.Prior to this, she was in charge of business development as well as R&D and project execution (municipal and industrial water activities). She has executive experience in innovation leadership, P&L and Operation Management, driving revenue and profit, and increasing market share. Dr. Ionesco is leading our corporate market strategies to engage and secure testing programs and field demonstrations. She leading the work to secure partnerships with technology companies to extract critical minerals for value. Dr. Ionesco holds a PhD in Chemcial Engineering.Performance driven, forward thinking, multilingual, business operations executive.
Greg Redick | Government Relations Specialist
Nathalie Ionesco, PhD. | Chief Commercial Officer
Nathalie Ionesco, PhD. | Chief Commercial Officer
With an impressive track record of successful leadership and an extensive background in program and acquisition management, Greg brings a wealth of invaluable expertise to his pivotal role as a Government Relations Specialist for Micronic Technologies. Drawing upon his years of experience navigating the intricate landscape of government c
With an impressive track record of successful leadership and an extensive background in program and acquisition management, Greg brings a wealth of invaluable expertise to his pivotal role as a Government Relations Specialist for Micronic Technologies. Drawing upon his years of experience navigating the intricate landscape of government contracts, regulations, and stakeholder relations, Greg serves as a vital liaison between Micronic and various government agencies and authorities.
Before coming to Micronic, Greg consulted with the government and industry after a distinguished Air Force career serving as Commander, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)-Teterboro and Commander, DCMA-Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and the Horn of Africa stationed at Bagram Air Base. His prior assignments include time in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Space & Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, and at the Sacramento Air Logistics Center, McClellan AFB, CA.
Board of Directors
Steven L. Meltzer | Lead Director
Brian Phillips | Observer
Steven L. Meltzer | Lead Director
Steve is a Corporate and Securities partner with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. He has served on Pillsbury's managing board and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America.
Lynda A. Messick | Audit Director
Brian Phillips | Observer
Steven L. Meltzer | Lead Director
Lynda founded and served as President and CEO of Community Bank of Delaware. She serves on the boards of Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, Nanticoke Health Services, and Atlantic Community Bankers Bank.
Brian Phillips | Observer
Brian Phillips | Observer
Brian Phillips | Observer
Brian is a nationally recognized pioneer in business investing in opportunity zones. Brian launched The Pearl Fund (www.thepearl.fund), the country's first opportunity zone venture capital fund. The Pearl Fund led Micronic's Series Seed round.
Shirl G. Gauthier | Director
Shirl G. Gauthier | Director
Brian Phillips | Observer
Shirl is a serial investor and long-time advisor to Micronic. She is a retired Corporate Executive and former Federal Cabinet-level Deputy Assistant Secretary. Shirl recently sold the professional services company she co-founded and grew for ten years.
Marco Rubin | Observer
Shirl G. Gauthier | Director
Marco Rubin | Observer
Marco is Senior Investment Director for the Center for Innovative Technology that invested and co-led with The Pearl Fund to close Micronic's Series Seed round.
Rich Diemer | Director
Shirl G. Gauthier | Director
Marco Rubin | Observer
Rich is Co-Chair and Treasurer of CAV Angels, the only angel group specifically focused on UVA alumni. CAV Angels invested in Micronic's Series Seed round.
Strategic Advisors
Don Jordan, Ph.D. | Modeling and Simulation
Don Jordan, Ph.D. | Modeling and Simulation
Don Jordan, Ph.D. | Modeling and Simulation
Dr. Jordan obtained his Ph.D. in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He served as Senior Research Scientist and Lecturer in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Virginia. Dr. Jordan is currently the Founder and Research Scientist of Dojo Research & Consulting wh
Dr. Jordan obtained his Ph.D. in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He served as Senior Research Scientist and Lecturer in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Virginia. Dr. Jordan is currently the Founder and Research Scientist of Dojo Research & Consulting where he leads the company and performs consulting on both experiments and simulations of flow and thermal systems. He is an expert in computational fluid dynamics and the simulation of complex fluidic systems with extensive experience in thermoelectric and thermoacoustic cooling systems.
Professor Harry Finklea, Ph.D. | Chemistry
Don Jordan, Ph.D. | Modeling and Simulation
Don Jordan, Ph.D. | Modeling and Simulation
Professor Finklea was awarded his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology and held the position of Professor of Chemistry at West Virginia University. He is currently Professor Emeritus and an ORISE Faculty Fellow at the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, West Virginia. His research interests are i
Professor Finklea was awarded his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology and held the position of Professor of Chemistry at West Virginia University. He is currently Professor Emeritus and an ORISE Faculty Fellow at the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, West Virginia. His research interests are in the areas of energy conversion by electrochemical devices, particularly solid oxide fuel cells, desalination of produced water and wastewater treatment, extraction of critical materials from waste, and biofilm removal from orthopedic implants by electrolysis.
Serpil Guran, Ph.D. | Commercialization
Don Jordan, Ph.D. | Modeling and Simulation
Serpil Guran, Ph.D. | Commercialization
Dr. Serpil Guran is the Director of the Rutgers EcoComplex. Her responsibilities include management of the EcoComplex operations, programs, business incubator, and facilities, as well as providing vision and leadership in establishing the EcoComplex as a nationally recognized center for the commercialization of environmental and alternat
Dr. Serpil Guran is the Director of the Rutgers EcoComplex. Her responsibilities include management of the EcoComplex operations, programs, business incubator, and facilities, as well as providing vision and leadership in establishing the EcoComplex as a nationally recognized center for the commercialization of environmental and alternative energy technologies. Dr. Guran is trained on thermochemical conversion (pyrolysis and gasification) of sustainable biomass and waste materials for the production of fuels and chemicals and she specializes in research, development, and assessment of sustainable biofuels, innovative waste recycling technologies, and life cycle analysis of clean energy, alternative fuel production, and sustainable food systems. Currently, she is working on Circular Carbon Systems, Food-Energy-Water Nexus and Waste synergy by promoting the integration of organic and plastic waste into the development of circular carbon economy with the goal of mitigating climate change and economic sustainability, and social justice.
Operations
John Neal, Ph.D. | Systems Engineer
Stephanie Surrett | Marketing Consultant
Stephanie Surrett | Marketing Consultant
As a Systems Engineer, John has a diverse skill set and a corresponding diverse role in Micronic's research and development activities. His main focus is on long-term product development and the associated research and development strategies needed to support future products and applications. John advises on beyond-the-horizon research p
As a Systems Engineer, John has a diverse skill set and a corresponding diverse role in Micronic's research and development activities. His main focus is on long-term product development and the associated research and development strategies needed to support future products and applications. John advises on beyond-the-horizon research planning and seeks funding opportunities to support those plans. Over his career in research and development, John has served as a consultant on proposal development and research strategies for a wide range of advanced technology companies. He designed and implemented organizational and automation infrastructure for electronics production at Ericsson, Inc., was a Principal Investigator and Senior Scientist at American Research Corporation of Virginia, and developed electronic warfare tactics and systems for Lockheed-Georgia
Stephanie Surrett | Marketing Consultant
Stephanie Surrett | Marketing Consultant
Stephanie Surrett | Marketing Consultant
Stephanie has extensive experience working in the marketing and management consulting industry through her consulting company, Stephanie Surrett & Associates, LLC, which specializes in strategic consulting, business marketing, project management, workforce development, and training services for a range of client companies and organization
Stephanie has extensive experience working in the marketing and management consulting industry through her consulting company, Stephanie Surrett & Associates, LLC, which specializes in strategic consulting, business marketing, project management, workforce development, and training services for a range of client companies and organizations. She has proven to be an invaluable asset for Micronic. Her skill set and level of expertise have been fundamental to the success of the company's marketing efforts.
In addition to her work with Micronic, Stephanie is the Executive Director of the Center for Manufacturing Excellence in SWVA and the Director of Workforce Development at Somic America, Inc. Before establishing her own consulting firm, Stephanie was a Project Manager with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance where she served at the pleasure of the Governor in a special assignment to coordinate state, regional, and local efforts to implement a Regional Strategic Preparedness Plan. She has also served as the Director of Workforce and Community Development for Occupational Enterprises, Inc.