Leadership

Michael Stomberg is the founder and CEO of Planet Technology’s parent company, The Planet Group, which includes several renowned staffing companies and global consulting organizations. Since founding Planet in 2009, Michael has led the organization to record organic growth while also leading the company through the launch of four new business lines and the acquisition of multiple firms. He also led the M&A activities when in May 2021, The Planet Group merged with ProPharma Group, the leading global provider of outsourced regulatory, clinical research, compliance, pharmacovigilance, and medical information services for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. Michael assumed the role of ProPharma Group’s CEO in September 2021.

Michael has over 20 years of experience developing and leading global organizations focused on the Life Sciences, Technology and Energy industries. His expertise includes organizational development, leadership development, streamlining operations, technology integration, team development, and global business strategy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management.

Tim Simmerly is the President of Planet Technology’s parent company, The Planet Group, and oversees global strategy as well as the day-to-day operations for our global staffing and consulting companies.

With more than twenty years of experience in talent and human capital services, Tim has helped launch three of Planet’s companies and continues to lead them today: Planet Forward, PFES, and Rokster. Tim’s leadership ability, business development acumen, and operational excellence are key to his role in expanding The Planet Group into new market segments worldwide. Tim joined the Planet Group of Companies in 2009 and has held numerous leadership positions including Director of Business Development, Vice President, and Executive Vice President.

Tim Bauwens is the CFO of The Planet Group of Companies and is responsible for accounting and reporting, financial planning, cash management, human resources, and risk management. He has over 25 years of corporate accounting and finance experience, having spent the early part of his career focused on mergers & acquisitions, mostly in the service and utilities sectors. Tim has spent the last ten years in the professional services and construction industries working with publicly traded and privately held companies with an emphasis on accelerated topline growth, improved cashflow, and maximizing return on investment. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Augustana College and holds a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

Sara Nichols is the Chief Operating Officer of The Planet Group and is responsible for leading our client services, business development, and corporate operations functions. Sara brings over 20 years of experience in the professional staffing and consulting industries, where she has helped drive organizational transformation for companies growing both organically and via acquisition.

Sara is skilled in finance and corporate operations leadership, organizational development, streamlining operations, leadership and team development, technology integration, and strategic planning. She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from The Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL.

Jon Whiley is the CTO of The Planet Group of companies and is responsible for leading the firm’s innovative technology strategy, including network infrastructure, system integrations, process improvements, new technology implementations, and IT support.

Jon has over 20 years of progressive tech and operations experience delivering transformative solutions that drive immediate business impact and continuous improvements across enterprises. During his career, he has designed competitive tools and adopted technology to optimize workflows and strengthen service delivery across multisite operations.

Prior to joining The Planet Group, Jon was Executive Vice President and CTO of Majestic Steel USA. A veteran of the US Marine Corps and graduate of Ohio University, he serves as a Governing Body Member of Evanta’s Midwest CIO group and is also involved with the Northeast Ohio chapter of SIM.

As president of Planet Technology and Planet Professional, Scott Ragusa oversees the strategic direction and daily operations of these two impactful contingency search and contract staffing businesses. Scott joined Planet Technology’s predecessor, WinterWyman, in 1999 after more than five years with two national temporary staffing firms. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Staffing Association (MSA).

Andrew John joined Planet Technology in November 2001 to expand the company’s IT Consulting Services (known then as R121 and later as Planet121) to the US. As Executive Vice President of Planet Technology, he is responsible for the continued expansion of the Enterprise Systems business. Andrew has worked in SAP recruitment and consulting since 1998, covering industry verticals such as manufacturing, insurance, and life sciences.

Formerly COO of Interactive Business Systems, one of the legacy companies forming Planet Technology, Jeff Jorgensen now serves as Executive Vice President overseeing the Mid-West. Jeff has played a pivotal role in developing many of Planet Technology’s key practice areas, including Microsoft 365 implementation and automated testing solutions. He joined IBS in 2001 as the Cincinnati Branch manager and was crucial in distinguishing the firm within the IT consulting space. Jeff doubled majored in Accounting & Finance at Kent State University in Northeast Ohio.

As an EVP with Planet Technology’s Core Tech division, Melissa Masse oversees East and West Coast strategic business development for this large, impactful group of tech sales professionals. Melissa joined Planet Technology’s predecessor, WinterWyman, in 2004 and has 20 years of operations, training and sales/business development experience. Prior to joining the company, she held recruiter and staffing specialist roles with other well-known recruitment firms.

Formerly founder and CEO of I.T. Works Recruitment, one of the companies acquired by The Planet Group, Gary Dytor now serves as Executive Vice President of Planet Technology. In his role, Gary oversees the continued expansion of niche recruitment for ERP, HCM, EMR, and LIMS users.

Gary has worked with tier two software users since 2004 with a background in Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Business Management.

Loren Rakowsky leads the Planet Technology Creative & Digital sales team with drive, enthusiasm, and passion. A New Yorker, business professional and people-person by nature, Loren’s sales experience has spanned over industries as well as the country. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with her degree in Business & Marketing, she began her career in sales which led to a decade of working within staffing. She has been with Planet since 2015, where she provides strategic staffing solutions for major clients across the US.

Chris Mitchell, Senior Vice President of Recruitment is responsible for the overall candidate delivery of Planet Technology, including contract (MSP & Direct Access) and full-time placement in a variety of technologies (Core IT, Enterprise Systems, and Creative & Digital). With in-depth knowledge across a wide variety of tech stacks, Chris has built high-performing delivery teams, supporting some of the better-known tech companies in the US. Prior to joining the firm, Chris held Senior Recruiter positions with several national recruitment agencies.