ZIEL

CEO & Co-founder

With a diverse background in regulated markets, Arthur de Cordova is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ziel, responsible for the company’s strategic direction and global partnerships.  He brings a global and multi-industry perspective to cannabis as a former Executive in the pharmaceutical, energy, and financial industries.

After working on Wall Street as an institutional trader with Paine Webber and Bear Stearns, he transitioned to the non-profit AmeriCares, where he led their pharmaceutical distribution activities across Eastern Europe.  Arthur then relocated to Russia for six years as Country Manager for AstraZeneca, establishing its multinational pharmaceutical business.  After returning to the U.S.A., he went on to executive sales roles in the renewable energy sector for over a decade including SunPower, Solyndra, and ClearEdge Power.

Arthur graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Finance and Business Administration.  He also studied at the Netherlands School of Business, Stichting Nijenrode, and the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland

VP, Research and Development

Dr. Yaghmaee leads R&D activities in the application of radio frequency and microwave technologies for the disinfection and disinfestation in Ziel’s food and cannabis segments.

She is a certified food scientist, thermal process specialist, and an Approved Process Authority with the Almond Board of California. She was VP of Process Solutions at RF Biocidics, a position she held for four years prior to their acquisition by Ziel in 2017. Previously, Dr. Yaghmaee was Sr. Scientist for six years at EnWave, developing vacuum microwave dehydration systems for food and pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Yaghmaee holds a Ph.D. in food science from the University of British Columbia and has completed two postdoctoral fellowships.

Chief of Technology

Dr. Chun advises on process development and improvement with radio frequency and microwave-based pathogen reduction systems.  He also serves in the capacity as the company’s Data Scientist, combining computer science, modeling, statistics, analytics, and mathematics to optimize Ziel’s proprietary process settings.

As an engineer and business executive, Dr. Chun brings 30 years of experience in engineering research and commercialization of new technologies through his work in venture capital and management consulting.

Dr. Chun holds a Ph.D. in Aeronautics & Astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  He also received an MBA from Kellogg School of Management.

Product Development

Ketch DeGabrielle focuses on product development working with Ziel’s internal teams and vendors. With his hands-on operating experience, Ketch works on optimizing customer work process flow and integrating APEX into their SOPs.

Most recently, Ketch served as Operations Manager at Los Sueños Farms, the largest outdoor cannabis farm in the United States, overseeing an annual harvest of 10 tons. Before moving into the cannabis space, he was a Designer and later Development Director at Gunboat International, where he designed and managed over 25 million dollars in carbon fiber yacht production and 110 employees.

He has leveraged his proficiency in 3D modeling/CAD programs, CNC technology, advanced computer simulations, prototyping, fabrication, machining, welding, and advanced composites across the commercial cannabis industry, designing high volume harvest and processing systems.

Ketch holds a BFA in industrial design with a concentration in marine design.

Director of Operations

Nate Smalley is responsible for Operations, which include Logistics, Warehouse Operations, and managing Ziel’s customer Field Service & Maintenance.

Prior to joining Ziel, Nate managed the service department and new customer projects for RFBiocidics. He worked previously at AMTek, a supplier of industrial microwave processing equipment and systems.

Nate has more than 13 years of experience in radio frequency and microwave technology, managing projects for global agricultural and commercial food processing clients across 5 continents.

Field Service Engineer

Neil is a Field Service engineer at Ziel, servicing new and existing customers.

Neil brings over 35 years of engineering and project management, beginning with British Rail, and then moving over to Strayfield Ltd., a manufacturer of radio frequency equipment, for 26 years.  He then worked with RFBiocidics for six years prior to its acquisition by Ziel in 2017.

Sales & Marketing

Camille DeGabrielle leads Ziel’s Sales generation and is often the first point of contact for new customers.  In addition, Camille is responsible for developing and designing Ziel’s Digital Marketing, building brand identity, and managing Ziel’s web outreach.

Camille gained a foothold in the cannabis industry as a multi-disciplinary designer; from web, marketing, packaging and branding, including providing branding strategy and execution for Los Sueños Farms, the largest outdoor cannabis farm in the United States. She brings over 5 years of digital marketing design specifically for cannabis companies.

She graduated from Savannah College of Art & Design with a BFA in Industrial Design, and studied in Hong Kong, focusing on manufacturing practices and sustainability.