People ask me why someone with a Wall Street background is CEO of a small, public specialty Pharma company like ProPhase Labs. The answer is that I am passionate about turning companies around and doing right by shareholders.
In 1998 I invested in and consulted to the vaccine company ID Biomedical when it was valued at $25 million dollars and on the verge of bankruptcy. I pressured the board of directors to implement difficult but necessary management changes as well as changes in their strategic focus. 7 years later, the company was sold to GlaxoSmithKline for over $1.4 billion.
While consulting to ID Biomedical, I similarly invested in and consulted to ProPhase Labs for more than 10 years. After a series of disappointments and questionable activities, I was motivated to create change and protect shareholder’s interests. Against all odds, I singlehandedly initiated a proxy contest to remove the board of directors and take control of the company. This included having to suffer through two federal lawsuits on my way to winning a shareholder election by the narrowest of margins. (The prior management owned a lot of stock!)
After winning the election and becoming CEO, I immediately started to implement my vision. My new team and I have significantly reduced overhead while stabilizing revenues with the goal of returning to profitability. We have created a new positive atmosphere in our company and introduced a new vision for future success.
I approach business relationships with candor and honesty — whether I’m talking to potential investors, vendors, partners, shareholders or employees. I am looking forward to sharing ideas in the forum and hearing yours.