Board of Directors

Barry L. Marrs, Ph.D., Chairman – Dr. Marrs is CTO of Athena Biotechnologies, Inc.

Robert A. Woods – Mr. Woods is CEO of Athena Biotechnologies, Inc.

James Jensen, Ph.D. – Dr. Jensen has led a variety of projects and has technical expertise in pharmaceuticals, herbicides, polymers, reverse osmosis, chlorofluorocarbons, and process development. He earned his B.A. in Chemistry at the University of Colorado, and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at the University of Alberta, Canada. Dr. Jensen has extensive technical and project experience with DuPont, DuPont Merck and DuPont Pharmaceuticals where he has led teams responsible for developing commercial processes for herbicides and pharmaceutical drugs useful for treating Alzheimer's, AIDS and lowering cholesterol.

Kenneth Wattman – After a 30 year career with ICI serving as President of the agricultural chemicals group and the general products group and a Director of ICI Americas, Mr. Wattman became President of Kao Corporation of America, the major US subsidiary of Kao Corporation, Japan. Under his leadership for 10 years, Kao became a significant factor in the US market through acquisitions and growth of High Point Chemical, Andrew Jergens Company and Goldwell Cosmetics (USA). Mr. Wattman holds a Bachelor's degree from Cornell University. He has served as a member of Department of State Trade Missions to Spain, Yugoslavia, Poland and Russia representing the state of Delaware. He was also a member of World Affairs Council of America missions to NATO and Jordan.

Stephen Werbe – Mr. Werbe has 26 years experience in the chemical industry with W.R. Grace, BetzDearborn and Hercules/Ashland. His broad experience includes positions in finance, product and marketing management, sales management, manufacturing and supply chain management, and general management. He spent 22 years working in Europe where he rose to Vice President and General Manager of Grace's European water treatment business and Vice President of Operations (Europe) for BetzDearborn. Mr. Werbe is currently Director of Work Process Redesign at Hercules/Ashland. He is a founder and Chairman of VerdiZyme, Inc., a predecessor company to AthenaBio.  

Joseph L. Powell – Mr. Powell has 33 years experience in financial management and control and is currently the CFO of JEVS Human Services. He was CFO of Syngenta Corporation, US and Controller of ICI Americas prior to his retirement in 2008. In his CFO role he was accountable for business results and all financial processes in North America for this multi-billion dollar corporation. Previously, he was Sr. Audit Manager for KPMG Peat Marwick. Mr. Powell received his BS degree in accounting from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia and his MBA in finance from Drexel University.

David Alcorn – During a 25 year period Dave held marketing and executive positions at Union Carbide Corporation including that of President of the Englander Company. For a 20 year period he was President of the Dyes and Chemicals Division of Crompton and Knowles Corporation. During this period Crompton became the largest dyestuff producer in the United States. Dave holds a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and served as an officer of the US Navy during the Second World War.