Executive Team
Young K. Park
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Park joined VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as one of the founding members and worked to successfully establish VGX International, Inc. in Korea. With extensive business management and legal experience in building successful corporations, he was instrumental in securing funding and establishing relationships with other biotechnology companies to enable pipeline development, strategic licensing, and acquisitions.Read More »
Dorothy Peterson
Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Peterson joined the VGXI team in 2007 as the Director of Quality, responsible for both Quality Assurance/Compliance and Quality Control. She played an integral role in implementing the company’s Quality System and was promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2011 and COO in 2018. Ms. Peterson came to VGXI with over 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, complying with FDA regulations in both startup and established organizations. Read More »
Management Team
Brenda Reichert, SHRM-CP
Director, Human Resources
Ms. Reichert joined VGXI in 2001 and served as the Human Resources Specialist and Manager before being promoted to Director in 2016. As one of the original employees she possesses a wealth of knowledge on the company’s history and has played a key role in developing VGXI’s corporate culture. She is responsible for all areas of Human Resources for VGXI Read More »
Jeffrey Darnell
Director, Facilities
Mr. Darnell joined the VGXI team in 2001 as the Facilities Manager. He designed VGXI’s production facilities and oversaw construction of 4 cGMP suites as well as the Process Development and Quality Control Laboratories. In Mr. Darnell’s current position as Director of Facilities, he oversees all aspects of facilities maintenance and operations, repair, building code compliance, renovations, and construction activities for VGXI. His experience includes 20+ years in facilities management, construction, and maintenance of equipment, machinery, buildings and other facilities. Read More »
Stephen Rodriguez
Director, Process Development
Mr. Rodriguez joined VGXI in 2007 and has over 11 years of experience in plasmid DNA manufacturing. As a core member of both the Process Development and Manufacturing teams, his focus has been towards increasing plasmid yield and quality in both upstream and downstream facets of production. He has played a critical role in identifying, testing, and implementing disposable technology and executing scale up into the cGMP manufacturing facility. Read More »
Tom Wilson
Director, Information Technology
Mr. Wilson Joined VGXI as the IT Director in 2019. Before VGXI, his past 28 years of work in the IT field has involved developing networks and data center design/implementation and operations as well as modernizing IT practices for growing companies. He currently holds multiple certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, Sun Microsystems and Novell. Read More »
Christy Franco, Ph.D.
Sr. Manager, Business Development
Ms. Franco joined VGXI as Business Development Manager in 2014. Prior to VGXI she worked for several years as Director of Research and Product Development for an early stage gene therapy platform company, Twister Biotech. Ms. Franco has over 8 years of laboratory experience covering areas of gene and cell therapy, fermentation process development, and biomaterial design and characterization.Read More »
Jared Nelson
Sr. Manager, Manufacturing
Mr. Nelson joined VGXI in 2007 and has served as VGXI's Manufacturing Manager since 2012. During his time at VGXI he has held multiple manufacturing positions and currently oversees all activities related to the production of clinical grade plasmid DNA pharmaceuticals. His responsibilities include coordinating and managing processes related to GMP cell banking, microbial fermentation, harvest and downstream purification, and GMP fill/finish operations for vialed products.Read More »
Ramu Rameswaran
Sr. Manager, Quality Control
Ms. Rameswaran joined VGXI in 2007 and has served as VGXI’s Quality Control Manager since 2012. She has 18 years of previous experience in the Pharma and medical device industries, working in a GMP environment at companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Kensey Nash Corporation.Read More »
Shane Johnson
Sr. Manager, Quality Assurance
Mr. Johnson joined VGXI in 2003 and has served as VGXI’s Quality Assurance Manager since 2012. He came to VGXI from Tanox where he served as a Quality Control Analyst. Mr. Johnson’s primary responsibility is maintenance of the VGXI Quality system. Read More »
Stephanie Burke
Sr. Manager, Accounting & Materials
Ms. Burke joined the VGXI team in 2015 as the Accounting Manager with over 15 years’ prior experience in the accounting field. She oversees the Accounts Payable department and is responsible for compiling all financials, coordinating and supporting financial audits, preparing and monitoring all budgets, and cost accounting. Ms. Burke is also responsible for the Materials department, forecasting and ensuring that materials are available for all production and testing activities. Read More »
Greg Cogburn
Manager, Manufacturing
Mr. Cogburn joined VGXI in 2010 and has served as VGXI’s Manufacturing Manager since 2019. He has held multiple positions within the manufacturing department and currently oversees all GMP processes for production of plasmid DNA, from cell banking, upstream and downstream production, to fill/finish operations. Mr. Cogburn maintains a heavy focus on cGMP compliance to ensure VGXI produces the highest quality clinical grade plasmid DNA. Read More »