Cristopher Grunewald
Founder and largest shareholder of Spotlight Innovation. A financial executive and entrepreneur with a background in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors. Involved in all stages of commercialization of healthcare IP developed by research institutions, including Emory University and the Instituto Butantan. Acquired Celtic Biotech Ltd. (renamed Celtic Biotech Iowa, Inc.) and Memcine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Prior experience includes leading corporate development and operations projects and providing decision support for early stage companies. Prior experience also includes serving as Vice President for Real Estate Acquisitions with DC Investments and executing an extensive expansion plan into various new markets. Military service with U.S. Marines, and training from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. B.S. from Iowa State University.
John M. Krohn
John M. Krohn is a Senior Financial Services Advisor with Principal Financial Group, a global investment management leader, offering retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management. Mr. Krohn is Spotlight Innovation’s largest investor. He is also an investor in and a board member of other companies. Prior experience includes Chief Financial Officer positions with two central Iowa companies, Vice President of Operations for Economy Data Products from 1994 to 1996, and Controller for Seneca Corporation, a Des Moines, IA-based petroleum services company from 1986 to 1994. Mr. Krohn is a registered investment advisor and holds Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses. He was inducted into the Principal Financial Group Agent Hall of Fame and is the 2014 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for life insurance production. Mr. Krohn, a CPA, is a 1981 graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in Accounting.
Craig A. Lang
Craig A. Lang is President of The Prairie Strategy Group, a policy, communication and logistics consulting company focused on the worldwide need for affordable food and energy. He is also President of Windward Iowa, an organization advocating for clean wind energy and the advancement and modernization of electric transmission lines across the United States. From 2001 to 2011 he was Chairman of the Board of FBL Financial, an insurance and annuity company, focusing on markets in the Midwest and Western states. From 2005 to 2009 Mr. Lang was the Lead Director and Chair of the Compensation Committee of Iowa Telecom, a telecommunication business providing innovating and cutting-edge connections in Iowa and Minnesota. From 2001 to 2011 he was President of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa’s largest general farm organization which promotes policies adopted by its membership. From 2008 to 2013 Mr. Lang served as a board member of, and from 2011 to 2013, as President of, the Board of Regents of the State of Iowa, a group which governs five public educational institutions in the State. Prior to this, Mr. Lang was Chairman of the Board of Iowa’s Grow Values Fund, a $100 million seed fund program supported by Iowa Economic Development designed to create economic activity and high paying jobs. Mr. Lang received a Bachelors of Science degree from Iowa State University in 1973.