Leadership

As of our last roll call, Chempetitive Group had more than 30 super-dynamos, globally. Our team is a diverse group of characters who each crave world domination as it relates to life-science marketing. Generally, we are all pretty fixated on developing and executing compelling campaigns that generate leads, acquire customers, and increase sales. And, if we win an award here and there, we will gladly accept and attend the awards banquet. Our management team, which usually accepts credit for all the work, includes:

Murad Sabzali Founder, Managing Partner

Finding it difficult to make up his mind, Murad studied biology, finance and marketing. In fact, he still talks about getting an M.D. and CFA, at the same time. Putting aside his insecurities and or the need for greater knowledge, Murad brings strong marketing communications experience from both start-up and established companies to Chempetitive Group. Prior to founding Chempetitive Group, Murad held key marketing communications positions with chemical companies including Kaltron-Pettibone, fobchemicals.com, and MSDSonline. Murad has also held account management and public relations (and sometimes analysts relations) positions at Slack Barshinger. Murad is experienced in the development of effective advertising, public relations, and customer-generation programs. In addition to writing a book, experimenting with acrylic paints, figuring out fly fishing, and learning to play the guitar, Murad serves on the Board of a local not-for-profit profit organization. He received his B.S. from Northern Illinois University. He hopes to one day get a Ph.D, a M.D., a J.D, and a D.D.S. He is the co-founder of the rocking duo, Bass Pairs.

Jeff Bergau Co-Founder, Managing Partner

Jeff is the firm's chief morale officer. He is not bothered by much. Unless, that is, it involves exploitation of the trite, like the word "solution" in marketing materials. He offers Chempetitive Group clients a solid mix of corporate and agency experience. Before co-founding Chempetitive Group, Jeff held corporate communications positions with life sciences companies including Monsanto Company, and Calgene, Inc., and marketing agency positions with Slack Barshinger and Cramer-Krasselt. Jeff also served as Vice President, Communications, for the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (IBIO) and is a past biotechnology contributor to I-Street. Jeff has significant experience in the development and execution of strategic marketing, issues management, and crisis communications programs for life sciences companies, and has served as a company spokesperson in both print and broadcast media. He received his B.A. from Columbia College, Chicago and his M.A. from Syracuse University. He is a co-founder of Bass Pairs and hopes to travel the world playing Zeppelin, man.

Steve Johnson Senior Vice President, Director of Client Services

Steve is that guy that you want on your squad. Not because of his .470 OBP in high school baseball, but because he’s that ego-free guy who always seems to have the right answer. Of course he understands what it takes to create strategic marketing programs that generate high returns on our clients’ marketing investments. But he also has an uncanny ability to take a challenging situation and find a simple and effective course of action. Before bringing his skills to Chempetitive Group, he spent 18 years at Slack Barshinger, where he was a partner, directed a host of client services, and played the role of staff psychiatrist. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Business Administration from Illinois State University a very long time ago.

Margaret McIntyre Executive Creative Director

Unlike everyone else at Chempetitive Group, Margaret did not start her life as a scientist. That is not to say she didn't start her life as a geek and enjoys chemicals. Margaret began college as a system analysis major. After three semesters of calculus, she decided to try something much harder. Advertising. Prior to Chempetitive Group, Margaret tormented people at Mobium, Publicis and the country of Japan. Margaret is experienced in branding, strategy and creative concepting. Her strengths include developing effective strategies and merging them with impactful creative. Her work has been honored by an assortment of award shows. But she is most proud of her eighteen Girl Scout badges. She received a B.F.A. from Miami University in Ohio.

Ken Li Public Relations Director

Ken escaped from a lab several years ago by disguising himself as a public relations professional. Since then he has been delivering award-winning programs for start-up and Fortune 500 companies. Ken offers Chempetitive Group's clients media relations expertise coupled with a science background. Prior to joining Chempetitive Group, Ken headed the technology/B2B practice at public relations agency Dome HK. Ken has a strong track record generating both trade and national media. He started his career as a research scientist who studied cholesterol metabolism and development of innovative pocket protectors. He received his B.A. in Chemistry and B.S. in Biochemistry from Cornell University.

Michael Yared Director of Online Marketing

The Force is strong in Michael. After building one of the internet's most popular gaming networks, forging an alliance with LucasArts, and then founding his own online marketing agency, Michael traded in his light saber for an opportunity to lead life sciences companies through the information super highway. Michael keeps the Dark Side of marketing at bay through building and optimizing Chempetitive Group clients' online activities. He developed his powerful combination of business, foosball and computer science skills at Indiana University where he received his B.S and a cocky attitude.

Tommy Torres Creative Director

Tommy, the silent ninja, brings a diverse skill set to the Chempetitive Group. Trained in martial arts, RC racing, track motorcycle racing and creative design, Tommy serves as the Kato to Margaret's Green Hornet. Although he will never let you know it, or you may not hear him, he has quietly won numerous awards for his work over the past decade. His deeply thoughtful creative approach ensures that Chempetitive Group clients get strategically sound and visually impactful communications, every time. He's amassed communications experience with agencies such as Slack Barshinger and DoubleTake Design and has also run his own design firm. Tommy received his B.A. from the Illinois Institute of Art.