Our Team
Claros has attracted a brilliant team who believe that innovation and mission-driven commerce can help solve some of the world’s most challenging problems. Our rapidly growing portfolio of products and processes always aligns with our core values.
Our Technical Team
Terry Smith, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Technology Development
Dr. Terrance (Terry) Smith received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1977 and Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology in1982. He worked in industry for 34 years before retiring from 3M in 2018. Terry held a variety of technical and management positions in 3M and Imation Corporation. Most of his career was spent managing the development of materials, processes and products for the imaging, display, health, energy and electronics markets.
John Brockgreitens, Ph.D.
Vice President, Research & Development
John holds a PhD in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Minnesota. His expertise includes the development and application of nanomaterials in environmental systems. John serves as a Director of Research and Development for Claros, where he directly oversees product development, sustainability, and research activities.
Beryl Xia, Ph.D.
Director, Analytical Laboratory
Beryl holds a PhD in Chemistry from University of California, Berkeley. Her expertise includes the analytical method development and chemical analysis via mass spectrometry. Beryl serves as a Lead Scientist for Claros supporting product development and conducting routine analysis for environmental clients.
Andrew Gonzalez
Engineering Consultant, Functional Materials
Andrew holds a MS in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. His expertise includes the development and testing of textile technologies and nanocoating methods. Andrew serves as a Lead Materials Engineer for Claros, where he directly conducts and manages research projects and textile product development.
Elvin Hossen, Ph.D.
Research & Development Engineer
Elvin holds a PhD in Civil Engineering with concentration in Environmental Process Engineering from North Carolina State University. His expertise includes experimental and engineering design, technology development, and process optimization for water/wastewater treatment. Elvin serves as an R&D engineer for Claros supporting research projects, technology development, and scale-up and commercialization for environmental applications.
Rebecca Combs
Materials Scientist
Rebecca holds an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota. Their expertise includes the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials for renewable applications. Rebecca serves as a Materials Scientist for Claros, where they conduct research and develop products for both environmental and textile applications.
Evan Leslie
Scientist and Laboratory Manager
Evan holds a BS in Chemistry from Colorado College. His expertise includes chemical synthesis, material characterization, and experimental design. Evan serves as a Junior Scientist for Claros, supporting research and product development for both environmental and textile applications.
Brian Beall
Senior Analyst
Brian holds a BS in Biology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. His expertise includes commercial analytical testing and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Brian serves as an analytical technician for Claros supporting the establishment of new analytical methods, development or sorbent products, and maintenance of high value analytical equipment.
Pheng Yang
Analyst
Pheng holds a BA in Biology from Metropolitan State University. His expertise includes 5 years of analysis and interpretation of HPLC/MS/MS analytical data and 2 years of PFAS analysis. Pheng serves as an Analytical Tech for Claros Technologies.
Mia Piro
Analytical Laboratory Associate
Mia holds a BS in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Her expertise includes watershed monitoring and research along with customer relations. Mia serves as an Analytical Laboratory Associate for Claros Technologies.
Our Business Team
Kyle King
Chief Financial Officer
Kyle has over 20 years of financial and management experience across numerous industries. He started his career as a CPA for RSM McGladrey and then moved into industry leading high growth organizations as its CFO, including Cannon Technologies, a closely held company which successfully exited to Eaton Corporation. Kyle has also served as the CFO-in-Residence at the University of Minnesota, Office for Technology Commercialization working with their Discovery Launch Pad team that partners with management teams commercializing technology developed a the University.
Gregg Nelson
Vice President, Business Operations
Gregg has 27 years of experience leading business development. On the executive staff for a manufacturer and direct-seller he served on numerous growth and process teams during a period which added over $40M. In Product Management roles he oversaw R&D and life-cycle management for a variety of B2B and B2C portfolios. Proactive and intrapreneurial, Gregg led the vision to establish a new business segment adding over $14M in the first 5 years. In this role he led high-performance teams to develop a catalog of products and to create manufacturing, marketing, sales, and fulfillment processes.
Stacy Hanson, MBA
Senior Director, Marketing and Functional Materials
Stacy holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business with a focus on organizational leadership and integrated marketing communication. Stacy also received a certificate for Executive Women in Leadership through Cornell University.
Doug Parker, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Environmental Business
Doug holds a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering at Michigan Technological University. M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan. 27 years of experience at 3M in research, technology development, and commercialization in a wide variety of markets. Successfully led successful commercialization teams. Extensive experience managing global R&D and new product development labs supporting over $1B in sales. Over the last 5 years, he has been associated with entrepreneurial startups to commercialize products in a variety of roles including Founder/CEO.
Will Hutchinson, MBA
Director, Supply Chain
Will has 20 years of leadership experience in all aspects of supply chain management. He is well-versed in product development and commercialization of new products and technologies. He has worked in a variety of industries and businesses of all sizes giving him a broad understanding of manufacturing, market dynamics, and growing partnerships. With an MBA focused on operations management and BA in Chinese Language, Will specializes in international business. He has spent years living and working in China and has deep expertise in working with suppliers across Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Alita Carbone
Director, Strategy & Operations
Alita brings cross-functional experiences in finance, strategy, and operational execution with a focus on building sustainable and impact-driven companies. Prior to Claros, she served as an Investor at 3×5 Partners, a venture capital firm investing in solutions in response to global healthcare and climate needs. While at 3×5 Partners, she helped lead the Series A financing in Claros Technologies. Alita started her career as an Investment Banking Analyst in the services and industrial technology coverage group at William Blair & Company in Chicago and is a former FINRA Series 63/79 license holder.
Kanchana Fernando
Business Development Manager, Functional Materials
Kanchana has extensive experience in Merchandising of over 10 years and has handled some of the largest apparel brands. She is an award-winning entrepreneur who has developed her own fashion brand which is focused on Social and Environmental sustainability.
Kanchana also holds a BA in Statistics, Mathematics, and Computer Sciences. She was awarded the best Venture of the year from MAS Holdings in 2017. And won the gold award for the best upcoming Entrepreneur organized by Women in management in 2018. She is also the winner of the Australia awards for being one of the 15 best female entrepreneurs in Srilanka which was organized by Export Council of Australia in 2019.
Tatsuo Sugiura
General Manager, Japan
Sugiura has over 30 years of experience leading business development of intermediate material products. He has worked in Japan and markets worldwide as a business unit general manager for a chemical company and an executive in venture companies. He is known for collaborating with R&D, manufacturing, and sales & marketing teams, finding new applications, and creating new product innovations.
Board of Directors
Michelle Bellanca, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and Co-Founder
Michelle held a variety of leadership positions at 3M Corporation as a Global Business Director and the Managing Director of the Strategic Ventures Asia Pacific. Previously, she was the Marketing Manager of the International Business Development for the Japanese Government. She holds an MBA and a BA in Economics & International Relations. She received the Edison Marketing Award, 3M Marketing Professionalism and Golden Step Awards. As Claros’ CEO, Michelle sets long and short term goals, establishes plans, strategy and vision and ensures a high performance team.
Abdennour Abbas, Ph.D.
Board Member, Co-Founder
Abdennour is a scientist, engineer and entrepreneur with a recognized expertise in nanotechnology and a wide crossdisciplinary background. He holds a PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering, and a Master’s Degree in Physical Chemistry of Biological Systems. He published over 40 research articles and holds 20 patents and patents pending. He was featured in the European edition of the MIT Technology Review TOP10 Innovators under the age of 35. Abdennour founded Claros in 2018 and directed its R&D as CTO for 4 years.
Jim Leslie
Board member
Jim is an entrepreneur, mentor, and philanthropist. He is the Co-founder and former CEO of Flipgrid, founded in 2015 and acquired by Microsoft in 2018. Prior to Flipgrid, he was the Founder and CEO of Midwave Corporation. Jim was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2005. In 1998, he and his wife Norma launched the Leslie Family Foundation, which focuses on providing scholarships and educational opportunities to inner-city youth. Jim also serves on the boards of Origina LTD, Dublin, Ireland, Children’s Hospital Minnesota, and the YMCA of the North.
Nicholas Walrod
Board Member
Nicholas Walrod is a Managing Director and Co-Founder of 3×5 Partners. He brings 20 years of experience as an investor, board member, and strategic partner to the service of ground-breaking companies in healthcare and climate solutions. Previously, Nick sourced and managed hedge fund and private equity relationships at Arnerich Massena. Nick holds an A.B. in public policy studies from Duke University.