Location:San Francisco
The Team
Richard "Rich" J. Carter, Ph.D.
President
Rich Carter is President and Owner of Sanford Rose Associates-San Francisco, an executive search firm filling mid to senior-level positions within the medical devices/diagnostics, biotechnology and pharmaceutical segments of the worldwide life sciences industry. Founded in 1959, the Sanford Rose Associates® organization serves the needs of corporate and institutional clients from over sixty worldwide offices.
In addition to his executive search expertise, Rich has over twenty years of general management, technical management and marketing/sales experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics. He has held senior positions with multinational corporations, start-up companies and not-for-profit organizations.
After obtaining his doctorate in chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), he joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. He later moved to the private sector, serving in various management positions for DuPont Medical Products and Baxter Healthcare before joining Chiron Corporation as Director of its diagnostics business unit, which included business ventures with Johnson & Johnson and other global entities in the Far East.
Prior to assuming the position of President of Sanford Rose Associates-San Francisco, Rich held senior management positions at a medical diagnostics subsidiary of Boehringer Mannheim (Roche) and at a local medical foundation. Having filled high-level healthcare positions both as a hiring manager and search professional, Rich brings to Sanford Rose Associates® an intimate knowledge of the industry and a full appreciation of the added value that results from finding the "perfect fit" for a key position. He also understands the difference that a key placement can make to an organization.
Over the years, he has been a member of such professional and scientific organizations as the Medical Marketing Association, American Society for Cell Biology, Drug Information Association, Bay Area Biosciences Center, American Association for Clinical Chemistry, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, National Association of Personnel Specialists as well as a sponsoring member of the Bioscience Forum. The San Francisco office has been named Sanford Rose Associates® "Office of the Year" three of the last five years (2005, 2008, and 2009).
Steve Merwin
Executive Search Consultant
Steve Merwin is an Executive Search Consultant for Sanford Rose Associates - San Francisco. Steve Merwin joined Sanford Rose Associates® in 1999 and has since built a strong and dependable reputation for client and candidate satisfaction. Steve is an accomplished search consultant within the healthcare and life sciences arena and has consistently placed key executives from Manager to the C-Level across all functional areas including Commercial Operations, Research & Development, Clinical, Regulatory and Finance. Working with start ups and Fortune 500 companies alike, Steve has utilized a thorough and multi-pronged approach to delivering key executives for crucial positions.
By utilizing the firm’s proven processes and developing collaborative and long term relationships with candidates and clients alike, Steve has consistently ranked among the top search consultants within the past 10 years. For the past four years, Steve has been honored as one of the top search consultants within the global network of firms that make up Sanford Rose Associates® including being honored as Recruiter of the Year.
Prior to joining Sanford Rose Associates® eleven years ago, Steve started his career in the management program at Enterprise Rent-A-Car and also worked in the banking industry. He graduated from California State University - Chico in Northern California and recently obtained his Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) Certificate.
Diane Plume
Executive Search Consultant
Diane Plume is a Senior Executive Search Consultant for Sanford Rose Associates - San Francisco. Diane is a proven and accomplished executive search consultant whose career spans 20+ years in recruiting, and she is dedicated to delivering exceptional client service. Prior to joining Sanford Rose Associates®, Diane honed her recruiting skills as an Associate in the executive search practices of large, international consulting firms, and later as the Principal in her own search business. With broad, generalist experience, Diane has consistently and successfully identified key executive level talent for clients within healthcare, biotech, financial services (banking, insurance, capital markets), transportation, telecom, retail, manufacturing, distribution, and not-for-profit organizations.
With the ability to professionally engage prospective executive candidates, Diane has assisted clients in hiring leaders in the areas of sales/marketing, finance, IT, operations, human resources, legal, research & development, and communications. Her placements include mid level management through C-level and Board of Director placements. Diane graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science degree and completed post-graduate level coursework in Human Resources at the University of Minnesota. Diane joined the San Francisco office of Sanford Rose Associates® in early 2010.
Rachael Lommen
Executive Specialist
Rachael Lommen is an Executive Specialist with Sanford Rose Associates-San Francisco and maintains and oversees the San Francisco Office. Since joining Sanford Rose Associates® in 2004, Rachael has held many roles including that of Administrative Assistant and Researcher, and routinely provides assistance to the Search Consultants on special projects and marketing. Her attention to detail and expert skills make it possible for the team to function smoothly and effectively. Prior to joining Sanford Rose Associates®, Rachael worked as a Registered Dental Hygienist for 3 years before realizing her true passion was in the search industry. As a Dental Hygienist, she worked in multiple offices in the Bay Area. Rachael holds a B.S. in Dental Hygiene from the University of the Pacific and graduated at the top of her class.