MEET THE TEAM
Michael Wippler
Managing Director
Michael Wippler has been an attorney for 31 years; currently, 19 years with
Dykema Gossett PLLC as a partner, including managing partner of Dykema’s
Los Angeles office and Member of Dykema’s six-member Executive Board.
Before joining Dykema, Michael was the Vice President and General Counsel
of American Home Loans, where Michael helped grow the company to
approximately 5,000 employees and 350 branches.
For the past two and a half years, Michael has advised Intec’s Founder on
contracts, financial matters and the company’s growth. Michael served in the
United States Naval Reserve and as Corporate Secretary of the W.M. Keck
Foundation.
Michael received his JD from UC College of Law, San Francisco where he was a
Dean’s Scholarship Recipient. He received his BA in Political Science with a
minor in Economics from UC San Diego where he was on the Provost’s Honor
List. Michael also obtained an advanced degree in Political Science and
Economics from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.
Edward Showalter
Founder
Edward has over 50 years of in-depth experience in business development and IP Technology innovation. Today he has over 200 Patents and Patent pending applications in the areas of Bioplastic Resins, Utility Patents for the Food and Beverage Industry, Medical Devices, Manufacturing Products, Blockchain Technology, Electronic Applications, and Physical Virtual Game Technology.
Steve Gough
VP Sales
For the past 46 years, Steve Gough has been a leader in the packaging business within Orange County, directly supporting industries such as automotive, electronics, cosmetics and food/beverage. Steve’s packaging specialization is in value-added custom boxes, primary labels, folding boxes, thermoforming, foams, floor displays, permanent displays and flexible packaging.
Michael Dunn
COO
Michael Dunn is an accomplished COO / CFO with far reaching experience in the plastics manufacturing industry. He holds an MBA as well as BS in Finance whose career spans over 20 years. Michael has built a career running cross functional expertise in accounting, administration, finance, legal, operations, and real estate. A successful track record of both scaling and “turning around” businesses.
Nicole Rhodes
Chief Sustainability Officer
Nicole is passionate about all things sustainability, having experience working globally helping startups to Fortune 500 companies on their sustainability efforts and reporting. With extensive knowledge and expertise in sustainable plastics, Nicole has worked with major industries including Retail, Food & Beverage, Beauty & Personal Care, Home Goods, and several others. Along with her background in sales, Nicole's BS in Environmental Studies and MBA from Case Western Reserve University allow her to effectively manage and drive new and existing business and client relationships. At Intec Nicole will spearhead the sustainability and sales team to assist Intec’s customers in their ESG sustainability goals.
Antoine Reekmans
Chief Marketing Officer
Antoine, with extensive experience as a project manager across diverse fields, has honed his skills working in both startups and SMEs. His problem-solving mindset and goal-oriented approach have been instrumental in achieving success. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and excels in leveraging cutting-edge technologies.
Jason Baum
VP Corporate Development
Jason Baum is a business operations leader with a passion for developing strong teams and retaining great talent. With a background in both the technology and staffing industries, Jason’s strength in go-to-market strategy and maximizing business return through candidate experience are helping Intec Bioplastics build a strong business culture as Jason helps staff the company with high-quality team members.
Claire Alchin
Executive Assistant - Purchasing
Claire is an executive assistant who brings her excellent communication skills and research abilities to the table. Growing up in colorful Colorado, she fell in love with nature and developed a real passion for the saving the environment.
Victor Wong
EVP Manufacturing
Victor is the COO of IGS Molding LLC with 13 years of experience in the plastic industry and 20 years of experience in sales and entrepreneurship. He has worked on projects with big fortune 500 companies to smaller mom and pop companies.
Christopher Winkler
VP Sales
With 30 years of experience, Christopher has an extensive range of knowledge and expertise in the packaging industry. His career started in his father’s plastics manufacturing business, holding various roles prior to becoming national sales manager and playing a key role in the company’s growth. He has since co-founded two successful thermoforming companies and is committed to maintaining a strong service culture that puts the customer first.
Frank J. Liotta
Advisor
Frank Liotta has 35 years of experience in the petrochemicals & renewable chemicals industries including Biorefineries. Prior to joining Biochem, he spent 2 years as director of business develop at Virent. Prior to Virent, he spent 25 years at LyondellBasell leading all aspects of new product development and commercialization from inception to sale. During this time, he led the successful commercial development and launch of several new products. Frank has an PhD in chemistry and an MBA in finance. Developed over twenty patents and various IP.
Drawing upon over ten years of expertise in Corporate Finance, Financial Management, and the Financial Services Sector, Sara Ishag joins Intec Bioplastics as the Chief Investment Officer. Her career journey includes notable positions such as Investor Relations Executive, top-performing Private Banking Executive at JPMorgan Chase, and Vice President, Relationship Manager at HSBC's US Wealth Management. Sara's academic achievements are equally impressive, holding an MBA from USC with honors in finance and marketing, and she is also licensed by SEC FINRA, further reinforcing her credentials. Sara now joins Intec as our Chief Investment Officer, where her wealth of experience and expertise.
Sara Ishag
Chief Investment Officer
J.D. Orozco
Account Executive
J.D. Orozco is a highly experienced sales executive, boasting over 20 years of accomplished tenure within the plastics, packaging, and injection molding industry. J.D. holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California (USC) and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business at Marymount University, further underscoring his commitment to academic and professional excellence.
Senator Richard Polanco (Ret.)
Advisor
Former California Senate Majority Leader
Senator Polanco is Managing Director of Tres Es Inc., a boutique government affairs and lobbying firm. Clients include public government and private entities such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, South Coast AQMD, and Water Replenishment District of Southern California and the cities of Coachella, Delano, and Baldwin Park. Private sector clients include energy companies such as Southern California Edison, El Paso Natural Gas, Wyoming Power Company, Trans West Transmission, Petra Solar and the California Public Utility Commission Low Income Oversight Board.
Elected in 1986 to the State Assembly and the State Senate in 1994, Richard Polanco served sixteen years in the California Legislature. He served as Senate Majority Leader from 1998 until his retirement in 2002. Senator Polanco is perhaps best known for his work with the Latino Legislative Caucus, which he chaired from 1990 until 2002. Under his leadership, Senator Polanco led efforts to increase the statewide number of Democratic Legislators from seven Latino members to 24.
Senator Polanco has fought tirelessly on behalf of underserved communities throughout the State of California. He has spent a lifetime advocating for low-income communities and authored significant legislation creating policy in the areas of water, water desalination facilities, transnational economic partnerships, MWBE certification, accessibility for the hearing impaired, access to telecom and life- line communication service, redevelopment, homelessness, migrant workers, transportation, small businesses, procurement, mental health, Indian gaming, education and voter rights.
In October 2002, Senator Polanco established the California Latino Caucus Institute for Public Policy, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. The Institute was created as a non-partisan effort by the California Latino Legislative Caucus to serve as a broad-based public policy, educational and leadership development organization. The Institute’s Mission is leadership development and training. The Institute was created to fill a pressing need in our society for enlightened leadership and positive social, political and economic transformation. The Institute supports innovative leadership programs to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.
Senator Polanco has also:
•Sat on the Board of Directors for California Delta Dental (largest dental insurer in the US) and Meruelo Maddux
•Served as an advisor to Sylvatex (Low Carbon Diesel Alterative), E-85 Flex Fuel (Renewable fuel), Rypos (Diesel Particulate Truck Filter), Billboard Bulletin Displays, T Mobile/Sprint Merger, SEA “Soledad Enrichment Action” Charter Schools (High Risk Alterative School), Cesar Chavez Farmworker Institute Education Leadership Development and EdVoice (Education Reform).
•Policy & Legislative Advocate California Emerging Technology Fund (Non-Profit Closing the Digital Divide).
•Advisor UCLA Luskin School of Urban Affairs School
Senator Polanco (Ret.) has been assisting Intec Bioplastics, Inc. since June 2023.His efforts have assisted Intec in Moving Forward to develop Intec’s First ESSF Plant In Los Angeles County.
Yogi Sarin
Advisor - Sales
Yogi Sarin brings over 35 years of Global industry experience in leadership positions in sustainable and low carbon Process Technology development and commercialization, Biorefinery operations and joint venture management from concept to commissioning having operated multi-billion-dollar chemical and biorefinery projects in various global locations. Having been educated in India, Italy and USA with MS degree in chemical engineering and management/ corporate leadership courses and training.
Edward Montelongo
Advisor - Sales
Edward Montelongo is a United States Army and Vietnam War veteran. After his military service, Edward attended Mt. Sac University and majored in Plastic and Mold Making Technologies. His career in the plastics industry is in production and sales, and some of his roles have included Injection Molding Class A Maintenance Mechanic, Production Shift Supervisor, Assistant Plant Manager, Sales Manager and VP of Sales.
Maribel Huerta
Advisor - MFG.
Maribel is the CEO of IGS Molding LLC with sixteen years of customer service and entrepreneurship experience working alongside Fortune 500 companies. Maribel has worked in the plastic industry for 5 years, helping customers with eco-friendly options.
Richard Costa
VP Materials
Executive level management professional with extensive expertise in acquisitions, procurement, and international/domestic
sales of recycled packaging and bottling materials and biproducts. Outstanding business acumen coupled with process improvement identification and implementation to increase efficiency and productivity in the areas of sales, purchasing, logistics, and supply chain management. Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the demonstrated ability to establish and maintain lucrative MRF, Broker, and customer relationships resulting in increased profitability opportunities. Strong problem-solving ability to identify real and potential areas of concern and employ viable
solutions. Proven track record as a high-performance leader and team member to achieve operational/revenue goals.
Jamie Getgood
VP/Sales
Jamie Getgood is an award-winning global Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and is widely regarded as a thought leader in the field of organizational operations. Jamie hails from Australia, where he pursued his education in mechanical engineering. At one point in his career, he held a significant role overseeing people operations at one of the world's largest greenfield automotive manufacturing plants. His impressive track record and expertise in managing human resources and operations have earned him recognition and accolades in his field.
Robert Liška
Partner
Robert Liška is a seasoned business executive with over 25 years experience working in the United States and Europe. Robert’s business career started by working in the family business his father started. Durotech-Airlessco – an Airless Spray Equipment business. From an early age, Robert understood just how important innovation and determination is when starting a business as well as what comes with it to developing ideas, producing a product, and filling market demand. Robert’s own passion as an angel investor places him into a position to help lead startup businesses. Robert is a lead angel investor in Intec Bioplastics, Inc. Robert graduated from Pepperdine University with a BS in Sports Coaching which makes him a great leader of people.
Steven Oliver
Partner - Sales
Growing up in the same circle of the most gifted American tennis players of all time, Steven Oliver has always understood how to achieve excellence. Being competitive and independent at an early age, Steve developed an entrepreneurial spirit, owning businesses in the tennis industry, art industry, construction, residential and commercial security. Always on the cutting edge of new ideas and technology, Steve has a keen eye for what’s next and quickly found bioplastics to be a true passion.
Rony Ghaly
Controller
Rony Ghaly brings to Intec an extensive background of over two decades of professional experience to his role as Controller at Intec Bioplastics. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, and a CPA credential. His proficiency encompasses various accounting domains, including a comprehensive application of US-GAAP principles, particularly within non-profit organizations. Rony's adeptness in navigating the complexities of SOX 404 compliance for public companies underscores his unwavering commitment to financial integrity and regulatory compliance.
Cheryl Lapsys
Account Executive
Cheryl Lapsys joins Intec as an esteemed business development leader with over 25 years selling into the plastics, packaging and medical industries. Cheryl hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University. With a remarkable sales track record, Cheryl draws upon her extensive experience in packaging solution for a Fortune 500 company, earning prominent coverage in Packaging Digest and ABC Network television segments. Additionally, her persistence led to the closure of a $1 million electronics packaging account and the acquisition of a key $5 million revenue-generating account during the initial stages of exploring the custom injection molding business.
Marina Cardenas
Personal Assistant
Experienced celebrity & CEO assistant excels in seamless coordination, event management, & quick decision-making, thriving in fast-paced environments to ensure smooth operations, demonstrating detail-oriented, dedicated, & adaptable qualities while committed to elite service; passionate, determined, & diverse, with a motto to learn, figure out, and excel in any task.