Matthew Wood, Chief Executed Officer

Matthew Wood founded SCD Probiotics in 1998 after extensive study in the science of beneficial microorganisms. As part of his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Matthew conducted primary research at EARTH University in Costa Rica. He continued his research on effective microbial technology with international experience around the world, and received his Master’s of Science Degree in Bioproduction at the University of Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan.

Prior to starting his own company, Matthew worked with other industry experts in the field of probiotics, developing and implementing projects across North America. He has since worked with customers on probiotic projects in over 47 countries. Fluent in English, Spanish and Japanese, Matthew is a frequent guest speaker at global conferences on sustainability and probiotic technology.

An avid sports enthusiast and busy family man, Matthew lives with his wife and three young children in his home town of Mission Hills, Kansas.

Dr. Sivaramakrishna Pillai, Director Business Development

Dr. Sivaramakrishna Pillai joined SCD in January 2007. Previously, he worked with EID Parry Ltd. in India as the Vice President for their Bio Products division. Dr. Pillai received his undergraduate degree at University of Poona, in India and his Master's degree and PhD from the University of Madras, India. In 2010, Sivaram founded Eco Systems and Technologies, in Chennai, India - manufacturing and selling SCD Probiotic products as a licensee. In addition to his own company pursuits, he travels regularly on behalf of SCD Probiotics, meeting and consulting with strategic partners and licensees. Dr. Pillai is married with two daughters and lives in India.

Kat Wood, Senior Business Manager

Kat has been with SCD Probiotics since 2008 although, as the sister of Matthew, she has been involved with SCD Probiotics since its inception in 1998. She comes to SCD Probiotics with a strong background of sales, marketing, business processes and small business ownership. Kat has her bachelor of Arts & Science from the University of San Diego in Political Science and Oceanography. Kat works to determine strategic programs and plans to help our suppliers market and sell SCD products in both domestic and international markets. She supports exiting customers with order fulfillment and international communications. Kat also manages the Human Resources and Finance Administration for SCD.

Along with raising her two sons in Prairie Village, Kansas, Kat enjoys spending time with friends and family. She loves being outdoors -- involved with hobbies such as snow skiing, water skiing and spending time at the lake. Kat enjoys attending concerts and listens to all styles of music, and is always up for a good session of Rock Band.

Dr. Narin Tipsrisukond, Senior Manager, Technology and Operations

Narin has been with SCD since August 2003. He is responsible for research, product development quality control and production for all microbial products sold by SCD. Prior to joining the company, he was a research specialist at the Agricultural Experiment Station Chemical Laboratory, a USDA registered laboratory and a Missouri State Chemistry Laboratory. His research emphasized instrumental and chemical analyses, industrial microbiology, correlation of objective biological and chemical data to analytical and consumer sensory characteristics. Narin earned his doctoral degree in Food Chemistry and Technology from University of Missouri-Columbia. Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, Narin spent his time playing in a rock band and dreaming of a world tour. With those days behind him, Narin now is focused on creating a better future for our children. He loves cooking, the outdoors and has a great passion for scuba diving.

Nick Vaughn, Brewmaster and Operations Engineer

Nick began brewing beer in his kitchen during college.  After graduating from the University of Missouri with a bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering, he made the leap into professional brewing.  He brewed at a large brewery in Boston for three years and returned to Kansas City, Missouri in 2006 to work in a smaller brewery.  In his spare time, Nick enjoys the guitar, and is currently working on breaking the world record for most ping pong balls launched per minute by a ping pong ball machine gun.

Dr. Margarita Correa, Global Technical Support Director

Margarita has been with SCD since September 2007. She is the Global Technical Support Director. Margarita studied chemical engineering, and has a Master of Business Administration and a Master in Production from Earl Duisberg Gesellschaft, Coloque, Germany. She has a background in creative entrepreneurship from the University of Berlin, Preventive Environmental Management from Lund University in Sweden. Margarita has been working with beneficial microorganisms since 1999 in different fields of application. Margarita is responsible for providing pre-sales and post-sales technical support for the application of all SCD products all over the world.

Dr. Khwankaew Dhanasettakorn, Assistant Manger, Technology

Dr. Dhanasettakorn, better known as Kik, has been working for SCD since 2008. Kik has a PhD in Food Science from the University of Missouri, a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition from Mahidol University in Thailand, and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from Mahidol University in Thailand. Her responsibilities include regulatory compliance, and providing quality control and quality assurance for all SCD products. . Kik is an optimistic person and likes to smile. She enjoys good food, nice shoes and handbags. Kik enjoys reading a good book and watching romantic comedy movies.

Nathan Casey, Fulfillment Coordinator

Nathan has been with SCD since 2009. His background consists ofshipping experience, logistics, and order fulfillment. Nathan is responsible for overseeing shipping and order fulfillments at SCD. He is also in charge of customer support and services and invoicing. Nathan enjoys music and movies, as well as video games. He has an extensive music collection, as well as over 250 DVD's. He is an animal lover and has had many pets over the years.

Kimo Lanclos, Production Assistant

Prioring to working for SCD Probiotics, Kimo worked for SAFC Biosciences in Lenexa, Kansas (USA), in the production department. He brings with him years of experience handling  raw materials and specialized cell cultures to health care industries around the world.

Bob Coughlin, Licensing Program Manager

Bob Coughlin joined SCD in 2009 and began working with SCD’s expanding consumer product line. Since then he has taken on the additional responsibilities of managing SCD’s growing licensee network. Bob attended Pembroke Hill High School in Kansas City. He received his B.A. from Northwestern University and his J.D. from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. Bob enjoys spending time with his wife, Katherine, his daughter, Grace, and his dog, Stanley. Besides spending time with his family, Bob enjoys golf, travel, and reading.

Julie Ann Ponder, Industrial Business Development Manager

Julie Ann has been with SCD Probiotics since 2009.  She is responsible for business development activities including managing relationships with strategic partners and end users to increase sales in proven market segments.  Her primary expertise is pathogen and odor control (waste water treatment; municipal and industrial, solid waste treatment, bio-remediation, etc.).  She is a graduate of Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bioenvironmental Science.  Julie Ann resides in Overland Park, KS with her husband, four step children and two dogs.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, gardening, and is an avid reader of historical fiction.

Sonja Bennett, Consumer Products Manager

Sonja Bennett joined SCD Probiotics in 2010 as the Consumer Products Manager. Sonja is a graduate of Cameron High School, Cameron, Missouri and earned her degree in Business Administration from Ottawa University, Overland Park, Kansas. She brings over twenty years of experience in finance, sales and marketing with a special emphasis in the hardware and home center distribution channels. Sonja lives in Kansas City, Missouri, has five sons, five grandsons and one grand-daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is excited about the future of probiotics and the healthy impact they can make in our daily lives and our communities.

Cortney Hays, Marketing Coordinator

Cortney has been with SCD since 2008. She is a 2004 graduate of Truman State University in Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Cortney’s responsibilities include the strategy, production and delivery of SCD marketing materials, strengthening the SCD brand with consistent messaging and graphic continuity, and managing SCD’s product trademark efforts. Cortney was born and raised in a small town in Wyoming named Gillette. She now lives in Missouri with her fiance and their two loving cats, Ramses and Maynard, who both enjoy a shot of Xtra Immunity in their water bowl. Cortney likes to spend time listening to music and playing video games. Her hobbies include scrapbooking and being a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Janel Voth, Senior Scientific Support Associate

Janel Voth has been at SCD since 2005. She is the Senior Scientific Support Associate and the Head of Regulatory Compliance. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Genetics with a Minor in Chemistry from the University of Kansas. She primarily manages the licensees in Europe. She also supports all of our customers for country specific registrations and helps in everything from Regulatory Compliance to Third Party laboratory monitoring and in-house laboratory experiments, Product Development, Technical Support. and Account Management As an original native to Wichita, Kansas, Janel now lives in Overland Park, Kansas with her husband and son. Janel enjoys biking, running, rowing, reading anything written by James Patterson and almost all music! She also loves spending time with family and friends.

Julius Rodriguez, Webmaster

Julius joined SCD in 2007. He is a master of Web design and navigation, heads’ SCD’ Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts and provides technical support for all things internet. Julius graduated at University of Cebu, Philippines with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology major in Desktop and Web application. Previously he was with ABS International Corporation for two years as a Production Assistant.

Lani Viacrusis, Customer Service Associate

Lani joined SCD in 2007 as a Customer Service Associate. She is responsible for taking incoming phone calls and provides information in response to inquiries about products, services, and application of products. In addition Lani is also a part of the Web development team to ensure and maintain the integrity of our websites. Prior to SCD, Lani spent over five years as a teacher, ESL instructor and contracting officer in a travel agency. Lani graduated from St. Peter’s College with a BS in Secondary Education.

Mindy McDermott, Senior Marketing Manager

Mindy has been working for SCD since 2009. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science, and Marketing majorand earned her MBA in marketing from the University of Minnesota. Mindy is responsible for directing the strategic marketing plans for SCD, and includes work in new product development, product packaging, collateral, media relations, Web applications, social media, brand management and consumer/ investor communications. Her background consists of experience with Fortune 500 companies, specifically targeting international customers, advertising agencies, and domestic non-profit organizations. Mindy lives with her husband and BIG, friendly yellow lab in Fairway, Kansas. She stays busy trying to keep tabs on her twenty- something daughter, and pursuing her favorite pastimes - tennis, yoga and cooking. Her SCD Probiotics enriched garden and recent membership in her local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is keeping her a healthy, happy person.

Doug Cheney, Accountant Associate

Doug has been with SCD since 2008. His job consists of providing support for accounting and bookkeeping functions, and prepares all financial records for management and stakeholders. Doug is in the process of completing a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Ashford University. Doug has a background in working as a staff accountant at two small CPA firms. He also worked as an account manager for a distribution company. Doug is a native of Southern California, but has called Kansas City his home since 2002. He entertains small audiences with his mediocre juggling skills, impresses a living room full of adoring fans with his amateur skills on Rock Band, and makes a mean Indian Chicken Curry. He is aspiring to obtain a recreational pilot’s license, has logged a few short hours in the air and even more time with a simulator. His wife and two little boys enjoy being outdoors, traveling, spending time together, and visiting other family members.

Tara Rondeau, Accounting Associate

Tara began working for SCD Probiotics in 2010. She is a degreed accountant from Louisiana State University (USA), bringing over 16 years experience to her position. Tara runs all of the daily accounting functions at SCD Probiotics and manages daily reporting on Sales, Accounts Receivables, Forcasting, Bank Reconciliations and much more. Tara enjoys spending time with her husband and their boxer, Nina. Together, they love to entertain, work on their unique home built the 1880s, and watch movies.

Tracy Potter, Office Manager and Assistant to Matthew Wood

Tracy Potter has been with SCD since 2008. Tracy graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts and was formerly an instructor with Dale Carnegie Training. Her responsibilities at SCD are to coordinate the overall office functions and provide administrative support to Matthew Wood. She also serves as an account coordinator for several of SCD’s international VIP customers. Tracy comes from a background of communication, customer service and training. She was drawn to SCD Probiotics because she wanted to be a part of an organization that is making a difference in people’s lives. Tracy has been married for 20 years and is the proud mother of two active teenagers. In her spare time she is an avid scrapbooker and is very involved in her church’s drama team.