Management Team
Kirk M. Maxey, MD - President, Chief Executive Officer
MD, University of Michigan | BS Chemistry, Colorado State University
After receiving his BS in organic chemistry from Colorado State, Dr. Maxey worked as a medicinal chemist at the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He entered medical school at the University of Michigan in 1980, and after graduation, dedicated his full attention to Cayman Chemical, a research biochemical company he started while still a medical student. Dr. Maxey has been a consultant and expert witness for multiple pharmaceutical companies, as well as a contributing editor and reviewer for Prostaglandins and Lipid Mediators.
Brian Conkle - Chief Operating Officer
BA, Biology, Kenyon College
Mr. Conkle returned to Cayman in March 2024. Previously with Cayman from 2012 to 2020, during that period Brian served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales and Vice President of Global Market Development. He has extensive operational, commercial, and international management experience with life science companies, including past leadership roles at NanoImaging Services, Axxora, and ALEXIS Corporation. In his current role, Brian leads the IT, operations, production and order fulfillment groups.
Jeff Johnson, PhD - Vice President, Biochemistry
PhD Biochemistry, North Dakota State University | BS Chemistry, Bemidji State University
Dr. Johnson was appointed to the position of Vice President of Biochemistry in 2023. He joined Cayman in July 1993 as a Research Scientist working on the development of assay kits, proteins, and antibodies. Prior to his current role, he held various other positions including Director of Technical Marketing and Services and Vice President of Academic Relations. Dr. Johnson's current focus is overseeing Cayman's biochemistry products and services to support academic and industry laboratories worldwide.
Paul Kennedy, PhD - Vice President, Chemistry
PhD, Organic Chemistry, Wayne State University
After receiving his PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at Wayne State University in 2001 Dr. Kennedy began working as a Medicinal Chemist at PTC Therapeutics developing small molecule inhibitors of RNA. He has since worked for LECO Corporation as a Product Specialist for time-of-flight mass spectrometry instrumentation and began his career at Cayman in 2007 as the Manager of Analytical Services. During his time at Cayman, Dr. Kennedy has also held the positions of Director of Analytical Chemistry, Senior Director of Analytical Chemistry and was subsequently promoted to Vice President of Chemistry in 2023. In his current role, Dr. Kennedy is responsible for overseeing and maintaining Cayman’s chemical products and services to support academic and industry research laboratories across the globe.
Donna M. Iula, PhD - Vice President, Forensic Chemistry
PhD, Organic Chemistry, Stony Brook University
Prior to working at Cayman, Dr. Iula worked at Pfizer supporting their R&D efforts as a Senior Research Scientist specializing in synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry. She joined Cayman in 2007 as a synthetic organic chemist synthesizing biologically active molecules for introduction into the catalogue and was selected to lead a newly created Forensic Chemistry Department in 2015 to manage the synthesis of analytical reference standards for the evolving forensic chemistry product line. Her responsibilities expanded when she was promoted to Director of Forensic Chemistry in 2017 and then to Vice President of Forensic Chemistry in 2019. Her primary responsibilities are to keep abreast of market needs and oversee the manufacture of fit-for-purpose analytical reference standards and ISO-certified materials.
Shannon Stacey - Vice President, GMP Operations
BS, Chemistry, University of Michigan
Mrs. Stacey joined Cayman Chemical's Quality Control department in 1994. She moved up through the quality division of the company and was promoted to VP of Quality & Regulatory Affairs in 2004 where she was instrumental in establishing the GMP division at Cayman. Currently as the VP of GMP Operations she provides leadership to the GMP Division as well as for Safety and Regulatory functions throughout the company.
Laura Kostrzewa - Vice President, Science Services
BS Microbiology, Michigan State University
Mrs. Kostrzewa started at Cayman in 2005 in the Protein Core Department working to express, purify, and characterize recombinant proteins. Through her time at Cayman, she advanced within the protein biochemistry group, and in 2018 was promoted to lead the Protein Core. In 2021, Mrs. Kostrzewa was promoted to Vice President of Business Development and Contract Services, where she oversees Cayman’s services offerings, fosters new partnerships, and works to expand services into new and exciting areas of research.
Mike Sopko - Director, Human Resources
MBA Human Resources, Davenport University
Mike joined Cayman as the Human Resources Business Partner in 2020 and was promoted to the Director of Human Resources in 2022. The focus of his team is on recruiting talent, retaining talent, and providing every Cayman employee with a high level of customer service for all things HR. Mike earned his MBA in HR Management from Davenport University and holds both PHR and SHRM-CP certifications. His prior experience includes nearly 20 years of HR leadership roles in the payroll services and construction industries.