Brakke Consulting, Inc. animal health consultants

Jishu Shi, DVM, Ph.D.

Jishu Shi brings extensive experience in veterinary science, academic leadership, and the U.S. and China animal health industries. He is a professor at Kansas State University and director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health and has experience in animal health innovation and vaccine development.

Jishu advises clients on the Chinese animal health market, regulatory and product registration strategy, market analysis, investment due diligence, and identifying potential business and research partners.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

China Market • Market Analysis • Regulatory & Product Registration • Investment Due Diligence • Strategic Partnerships

Yuki Ujimasa, DVM, MS

Yuki Ujimasa brings extensive experience in the Japanese animal health market, with expertise in regulatory affairs, product registration, business licensing, and foreign manufacturing accreditation. His background includes leadership with AHRMS and Vm3 and extensive knowledge of Japan’s animal health regulatory environment.

Yuki advises international animal health companies seeking to enter or expand in Japan, helping clients navigate regulatory requirements, product registration, licensing, and market-entry strategy.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Japan Market • Regulatory Affairs • Product Registration • Business Licensing • Market Entry Strategy

Mauri Ronan Moreira, DVM, MBA

Mauri Ronan Moreira brings extensive international animal health experience across sales, marketing, innovation, and clinical trials. His career includes leadership roles with Elanco, Novartis, and Hill’s, with experience spanning pharmaceuticals, nutrition, aquaculture, cattle, and swine.

Based in São Paulo, Brazil, Mauri has worked across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, giving him a broad perspective on global animal health markets and commercial opportunities.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

International Markets • Sales & Marketing • Innovation • Clinical Trials • Business Development

Cristiano von Simson, DVM, MBA

Cristiano von Simson brings more than 30 years of animal health industry experience, including leadership roles with Virbac, Bayer, and Merial. A veterinarian and former executive, his career spans product launches, portfolio management, licensing, acquisitions, and global business development.

Cristiano advises clients on commercial strategy, product and portfolio management, go-to-market planning, business development, and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Commercial Strategy • Product & Portfolio Management • Business Development • Go-to-Market Strategy • Growth Strategy

Jeff Santosuosso

Jeff Santosuosso brings more than 35 years of animal health industry experience spanning recruiting, commercial operations, licensing, mergers and acquisitions, and general management. He leads Brakke Consulting’s recruiting practice and brings a strong understanding of the leadership and talent needs of animal health companies.

Jeff advises clients on executive and professional recruiting, leadership strategy, go-to-market planning, data-driven decision making, and identifying opportunities for new revenue and profit growth.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Executive Recruiting • Commercial Operations • Leadership Strategy • Go-to-Market Planning • Business Growth

Michael McGinley, Pd.D

Michael McGinley brings more than 35 years of experience in vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostics across both food and companion animal health. His background spans product development, regulatory affairs, business development, and manufacturing.

Michael advises clients on science and technology assessments, product development, regulatory strategy, and commercialization, helping move new technologies from proof of concept through successful market introduction.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Product Development • Regulatory Strategy • Science & Technology Assessment • Commercialization • Vaccines & Diagnostics

Jay Lockhart

Jay Lockhart brings extensive experience in project management, sales, and marketing across the pet food, livestock feed, and veterinary industries. His work combines commercial expertise with a strong understanding of animal health markets and customer needs.

Jay advises clients on executive search, proprietary and multi-client market research, benchmarking, project management, and commercial strategy.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Market Research • Executive Search • Benchmarking • Project Management • Sales & Marketing

Jim Kroman

Jim Kroman brings more than 50 years of animal health industry experience, including roles with Beecham, Novartis, and Boehringer. His career spans sales, marketing, business development, licensing, and project management.

Jim advises clients on acquisitions and divestitures, business development, licensing opportunities, commercial strategy, and sales force optimization.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Acquisitions & Divestitures • Business Development • Licensing • Commercial Strategy • Sales Force Optimization

Darrell Klug

Darrell Klug brings more than 30 years of marketing experience, including more than 20 years in the animal health industry. His career includes experience with Novartis and Zoetis, where he developed expertise in commercial strategy, portfolio management, branding, communications, and product launches.

Darrell advises clients on marketing and commercial strategy, brand development, portfolio planning, communications, and successful product launch planning.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Marketing Strategy • Branding • Portfolio Management • Communications • Product Launch Planning

Lourens Havenga, DVM

Lourens Havenga brings more than 28 years of international animal health experience with expertise in vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals for food animals. His background spans product development, regulatory affairs, business development, startup environments, and commercialization.

Lourens advises clients on product development and commercialization, regulatory strategy, business development, and bringing new animal health technologies from concept to market.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Product Development • Commercialization • Regulatory Strategy • Business Development • Food Animal Health

Randall "Randy" Freides, MBA

Randy Freides brings nearly 30 years of corporate finance and business leadership experience, including extensive experience with Merck. His career spans North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Randy advises clients on financial and operational planning, forecasting, go-to-market strategy, product launches, and evaluating growth opportunities.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Financial & Operational Planning • Forecasting • Go-to-Market Strategy • Product Launches • Growth Strategy

John Volk

John Volk is a senior consultant with extensive experience in animal health market research and strategic analysis. He has worked with animal health companies and veterinary organizations to better understand market trends, customer behavior, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities.

John advises clients on market research, strategic planning, industry analysis, and due diligence, helping organizations turn market information into actionable business decisions.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Market Research • Strategic Planning • Industry Analysis • Due Diligence • Market Intelligence

Alexis Nahama, DVM

Alexis Nahama brings more than 25 years of global animal and human health experience, including leadership roles with Novartis, Schering-Plough, VCA, and Sorrento. His career spans strategy, marketing, corporate development, investor relations, and research and development.

Alexis advises clients on innovation and commercialization, mergers and acquisitions, multi-site operations, corporate development, and growth strategy.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Innovation & Commercialization • Mergers & Acquisitions • Corporate Development • Multi-Site Operations • Growth Strategy

Christine Merle, DVM, MBA

Christine Merle brings more than 30 years of experience across veterinary practice, academia, marketing, sales, and strategy. Her background gives her a broad perspective on the clinical, commercial, and operational challenges facing veterinary organizations.

Christine advises clients on veterinary practice performance, business strategy, marketing, education, and communication. She also serves as editor of the Brakke Consulting weekly newsletter.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Veterinary Practice Performance • Business Strategy • Marketing • Education • Communication

Chuck Johnson, DVM, MBA

Chuck Johnson is a veterinarian and former equine practitioner with extensive animal health industry experience. His career includes leadership roles with Ceva spanning commercial operations, pharmacovigilance, global innovation, and corporate alliances.

Chuck advises clients on commercial development, strategic partnerships, innovation, and business growth, with experience across North American and Latin American markets.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Commercial Development • Strategic Partnerships • Innovation • Corporate Alliances • Business Growth

Paul Casady

Paul Casady brings more than 40 years of animal health industry experience, including senior leadership roles with Merck and Merial. His career spans global markets, including Latin America, Asia, and Oceania, with extensive experience in commercial operations and business leadership.

Paul advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, business development, operational excellence, and leadership development.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Mergers & Acquisitions • Strategic Planning • Business Development • Operational Excellence • Leadership Development

Robert Jones, PhD

Bob Jones brings more than 30 years of animal health leadership experience across U.S. and international markets, with deep expertise in both companion and food animal segments. His career includes leading commercial organizations and working extensively in emerging global markets.

As CEO of Brakke Consulting, Bob advises clients on business and commercial strategy, sales force effectiveness, organizational performance, and competitive positioning to help companies strengthen their teams and drive sustainable growth.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Business & Commercial Strategy • Sales Force Effectiveness • Organizational Performance • Competitive Positioning

THE BRAKKE CONSULTING TEAM

EXPERIENCE ACROSS EVERY CORNER OF ANIMAL HEALTH

Robert Jones, PhD

Paul Casady

Chuck Johnson, DVM, MBA

Christine Merle, DVM, MBA

Alexis Nahama, DVM

John Volk

Randall “Randy” Freides, MBA

Lourens Havenga, DVM

Darrell Klug

Jim Kroman

Jay Lockhart

Michael McGinley, Ph.D.

Jeff Santosuosso

Cristiano von Simson, DVM, MBA

International Expertise

Mauri Ronan Moreira, DVM, MBA

Yuki Ujimasa, DVM, MS

Jishu Shi, DVM, PhD

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