LEADERSHIP

Ying Yang was named general manager for Smithfield Bioscience in September 2023. In this role, Ying leads the operation in commercializing valuable bioproducts from the animal protein manufacturing process, ultimately saving lives and improving human health worldwide.

Ying joined Smithfield Foods in 2016 supporting Smithfield Bioscience in a business management role leading a variety of projects to optimize and expand Smithfield Bioscience. She brings 29 years of B2B product management, sales, marketing, M&A and manufacturing experience to the business, including 22 years with DuPont Nutrition & Health.

Ying holds a B.A. in International Business from Beijing University of International Business and Economics, China and a MA in Economics from University of Nevada, Reno.

Ben Wartgow assumed the role of senior director, business development for Smithfield Bioscience in October 2023.

Prior to joining Smithfield Bioscience, Ben spent the last eight years of his career immersed in the US natural product markets for both API and finished drugs. He began as a primary GMP trainer, and senior member of QA for one of North America's largest Heparin & Pancreatin API production plants before leading the Heparin API production department at the same facility and eventually taking over North American API sales.

Most recently Ben was a founding member and commercial leader of a finished drug (generic injectable) company that was started from scratch. The company is one of the fastest growing companies in the US Heparin Sodium and Enoxaparin markets.

Ben holds B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Victoria King assumed the role of director, business development for Smithfield Bioscience in October 2023. In this role, Victoria leads cross functional teams at fresh pork facilities to deliver the raw materials that are furthered processed into life-improving and life-saving medications.

Prior to this role, Victoria joined Smithfield Foods’ Fresh Harvest Operations from Indiana Packers. At Smithfield, Victoria has progressed through technical and management roles, including a lead role as the developer of the fresh offal raw material product portfolio which included high precision specifications for raw materials intended for further processing into medical devices and medications.

Victoria holds a B.S. in Agriculture and Consumer Economics with a concentration in Finance from the University of Illinois and is an MBA Candidate at the University of Iowa with an expected graduation date of December 2023.

Ronald Ipach assumed the role of Senior Director, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing for Smithfield Bioscience in July 2024.  In this role, Ronald leads manufacturing operations to purify porcine derived natural products for finished drug and medical device applications. 

Prior to joining the Smithfield team, Ronald served as the head of manufacturing and plant manager for a prominent medical device company.  In addition, Ronald brings 8 years of pharmaceutical manufacturing experience.

Ronald holds a B.S. in Biology from The Ohio State University.

Lauren Cole is the director, pharmaceutical manufacturing technical services for Smithfield Bioscience. In this role, Lauren leads manufacturing operations to purify porcine derived natural products for finished drug and medical device applications. Prior to this role, she worked at the former independent operating company, Celsus Laboratories, as a research and development manager leading the team in the method development and supported process development improvements before being named assistant plant manager. 

Lauren holds a B.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Ball State University and an M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Miami University.

Jin Xie assumed the role of director, research and development for Smithfield Bioscience in April 2023. In this role, she leads the team in developing generic drug products, medical devices and optimizing the processes of current commercial products in the Smithfield Bioscience portfolio.

Dr. Xie has 15 years of pharmaceutical experience in product development and commercialization as she previously led process improvement projects and served as a subject-matter-expert in one of North America's largest Heparin & Pancreatin API production plants. Dr. Xie also served as the lead scientist on several new biological product development and commercialization projects for the company.

She holds a B.S. in Chemistry from University of Science and Technology of China and a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Chemical Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York.

Kenneth Allen was named Sr. Director, Quality for Smithfield Biosciences in August 2024.

In his role, Kenneth will lead the Bioscience Quality Organization, ensuring the overall quality management system for globally manufactured products are produced to the highest quality standards, and world class manufacturing.

He brings 32+ years of experience in quality leadership in managing, building and sustaining quality systems to manufacture medical devices, animal tissue products, pharma, and combination drug/devices. He has also served as Management Representative (MR) and Person Responsible for Regulatory Compliance (PRRC).

Over his career, he has served in both quality and operational/transformational leadership roles at both site and a divisional leader. His core is in quality, serving various roles over his career, leading to Head of Quality Systems and Regulatory, and VP. His leadership roles include building quality culture, CAPA, risk management, change management and integration, including FDA remediation.

Kenneth holds certifications in various areas of operational and cultural excellence, including Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) and auditing quality systems in medical device and pharmaceuticals.

He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees and postgraduate study in areas of business/economics and bioinformatics/epidemiology and regulatory science.

Terrie Wheeler assumed the role of sales account manager for Smithfield Bioscience is April 2019. In this role, Terrie oversees the logistics and purchasing teams responsible for all customers’ orders and assists with documentation requirements.

Terrie joined Smithfield Bioscience after eight years at the former Celsus Laboratories where she progressed through administrative ranks to office manager.