Michael Stomberg is the founder and CEO of Planet Professional’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 Professional’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 PFES today. 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.
Marni Helfand is the Chief HR Officer and General Counsel for The Planet Group. Marni oversees all legal and HR functions including providing training, advising on all areas of compliance, negotiating client agreements, managing litigation, and protecting the company’s intellectual property. After leaving private practice with the law firm of Littler Mendelson, most of her career has been spent in the staffing and consulting industries. Prior to beginning her career, Marni received her Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations form Cornell University, and attained her JD Law Degree from Northwestern University’s School of Law.
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.
Jeff Dillenburg brings over 20 years of experience in operations within the human capital consulting and staffing world to his role as Chief Operating Officer of The Planet Group and has a strong track record of success everywhere he has been. He was one of the first employees at both Inforte and Slalom Consulting and played an integral role in executing their high growth strategy as Managing Director.
Along with his Planet COO responsibilities, Jeff concurrently serves in the same capacity with Strive Consulting which The Planet Group acquired in December of 2021. Jeff has been with Strive since 2015 and has been instrumental in helping drive the strategy to restructure the organization from a staffing firm to a consulting firm.
Jeff brings a tremendous track record of success and hard work and is a thought leader that has used many innovative approaches to help construct some of the best delivery platforms in the business.
As President of Planet Professional and Planet Technology, Scott Ragusa oversees the strategic direction and daily operations of these two impactful contract staffing and contingency search businesses. Scott joined Planet Professional’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).
As EVP, Stuart Coleman oversees the strategy and operations of Planet Professional, formerly WinterWyman’s Professional division. Stu joined WinterWyman in 1999 and quickly helped the company expand its financial services contract and temporary offerings. He subsequently began directing all the firm’s Accounting & Finance, HR, Administrative and Professional business development and recruitment services.
Stu has expanded the division’s national presence with teams in Boston, NY, Chicago, San Diego and recruiting throughout the country.
David Janowsky oversees the business development activities of Planet Professional. In addition to his work directly with clients, David leads a team of professional sales people while working closely with the group’s Recruiting team to support clients. Committed to success, David always strives to continuously provide the highest quality service to candidates and clients while leading his team to grow and fulfill their potential.
Sara Ferraioli is the SVP of Recruitment and oversees the strategic and day-to-day delivery activities of Planet Professional’s 50+ recruiters. She joined the firm in 2003 as a Staffing Manager before progressing to Manager of Recruiting and in 2012 to General Manager of our HR practice. Previously, Sara held recruiting roles at Interim Healthcare, Hall Kinion, and Bose Corporations.