The management is an ideal mix of experience, industry and technical knowledge, excellent reputations and contacts, and successful entrepreneurs.
Richard Lee - President and CEO
In 2004, Mr. Lee founded Planet DDS, Inc. primed with 24 years of business management and entrepreneurial experience, including 18 years in the dental technology arena. Previously, Mr. Lee was the CEO of Dental Connect, Inc. a dental connectivity company that launched the industry's first internet-based, HIPAA compliant real-time claims processing and eligibility verification system used by major insurance carriers. Mr. Lee was also the CEO and co-founder of dentalxchange.com, the leading portal, e-commerce and premier ASP company in the dental industry. Dentalxchange built the industry's most-trafficked Website, created the largest on-line continuing education library, launched the industry's 1st web-based dental practice management system, developed and launched the most sophisticated e-commerce shop for the industry's largest distributor. Throughout his career, Mr. Lee has become known for his unique ability to successfully adapt new technologies in volatile markets. His vision is that of a connected dental world where PlanetDDS.com becomes the transaction hub for all the key players in the dental care industry.
William Jackson, DDS - VP Business Development
Dr. Jackson served as the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Dental Connect where he was instrumental in helping raise over $28MM in institutional and commercial investment. Additionally, he negotiated internet connectivity contracts with over 70% of the dental insurance industry. Prior to Dental Connect, Dr. Jackson served as President of Prudential Health Care's Dental Division overseeing a national company of 600 employees and $800M in revenue. He later took the same position as General Manager of WellPoint Health Networks and grew that business from a $60M California company (Blue Cross of California) to over $500M national company. Dr. Jackson is also a co-founder of Hygeia, Inc., a dental HMO in Los Angeles.
Chae Kim - VP Technology
Mr. Kim co-founded Computer Age Dentist, Inc. a nationally recognized practice management software company subsequently merged with Medical Dynamics, Inc., a publicly traded company. At Medical Dynamics Mr. Kim became president of the software division where he managed over 130 employees in 15 states. He was also the principal designer and head developer of several software product lines. The Computer Age Dentist dental practice management software is still being used by over two thousand dental practices. Mr. Kim was instrumental in selling Medical Dynamics to Practice Works, the leading dental practice management company. At Practice Works he managed the successful integration of several companies and product lines into Practice Works.
Cary Ganz, DDS - Chief Clinical Officer
Dr. Cary Ganz graduated from N.Y.U. College of Dentistry in 1970 and received his Prosthodontic credentials from Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in 1973. Until recently he was Chief of Implant Dentistry and was the founder of the Implant Fellowship Program at North Shore University Hospital – Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He has been an Associate Attending - Divisions of Implant Dentistry and Lasers, at Jamaica Hospital and an Associate Attending at Nassau County Medical Center. From 1998 - 2001 Dr. Ganz was an owner and Vice President of DEXIS Digital Radiography. Dr. Ganz has been a consultant to numerous dental manufacturers in a wide variety of technologies from implants and lasers to intraoral cameras and digital radiography. He is a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and a member of the American College of Prosthodontists. Dr. Ganz has written numerous articles and has lectured nationally and internationally on a variety of topics including digital radiography, Implant Prosthodontics, dental lasers, advanced dental technologies and the Internet. Dr. Ganz also maintains an active private Prosthodontic practice specializing in Cosmetic Dentistry in Garden City, N.Y.
William F. Wathen, DMD - Advisor
Bill Wathen is an Associate Professor in the Department of General Dentistry at Baylor College of Dentistry. He received the President's Award from the Texas Dental Association in 1982 and the Texas Dentist of the Year Award from the Texas Section of the Academy of General Dentistry in 1988. In 1987 he was named Editor-in-Chief of the American Dental Association, a position he held until 1991, when he returned to his Fort Worth practice part-time, while assuming duties as Director of Continuing Education at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas.
He currently participates in curriculum development, faculty development and calibration, and clinical remediations for Baylor's Department of General Dentistry, and teaches on the senior clinic floor. He is developing a web-based virtual general dentistry study club for the Department and is the Senior Editor for the newly announced ADA CE Online program from the American Dental Association.
George Wilke - Advisor
Mr. Wilke is currently the President of Seapearl Pharmaceuticals, LLC. Seapearl Pharmaceuticals provides consulting services to the dental industry, primarily in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, manufacturing operations, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs. Seapearl Pharmaceuticals was recently involved in one of the largest manufacturing facility construction projects in the dental industry. George also served as a member of Accu Bite Dental Supply's Board of Directors and was instrumental in the recent sale of Accu Bite Dental to Patterson Dental. Prior to Seapearl Pharmaceuticals, George spent 9 years in senior management positions within the dental industry as President of Septodont, Inc., President of Novocol Pharmaceuticals of Canada, President of Confi-Dental Products Company, and President of Novocol Pharmaceuticals, LLC. During that time, George served on the Board of Directors of Dental Manufacturers of America progressing through all Officer Positions including President of the DMA. George received recognition as one of the 25 Most Distinguished Leaders in the dental industry.