CRB Announces CEO and COO Promotions, Unites Operations Teams for Growth and Expansion
Breaking news from CRB! The company's Board of Directors has just announced that Ryan Schroeder, currently serving as President, has been named the new Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, Schroeder will continue to drive the company forward with his visionary leadership and unmatched expertise. He takes over from Jeff Biskup, CRB's co-founder and former CEO, who will now assume the role of Executive Chairman.
But that's not all. CRB is also pleased to announce the formation of CRB Operations, a new division that brings together the company's Regional Operations and Technical Operations teams under one roof. Leading this exciting new group will be Sam Kitchell, who has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer.
Schroeder has been with CRB since 1987, starting out as an architectural engineer and rising through the ranks to become the leader of CRB's Midwest region in 2010. As President, he has overseen unprecedented growth at the company, including the first $1 billion-plus revenue years in 2021 and 2022. Thanks to his leadership, CRB has become a leading provider of manufacturing facilities for life-saving medicinal therapies, vaccines, and some of the most popular food, beverage, and pet food brands on the market.
Under Schroeder's tenure, CRB has also expanded its physical footprint, growing from a small regional player to a global powerhouse with 21 offices across North America and Europe. And with nearly 1,800 employees on the payroll - a three-fold increase under Schroeder's leadership - the company shows no signs of slowing down.
Join us in congratulating Ryan Schroeder, Jeff Biskup, and Sam Kitchell on their exciting new roles at CRB. The future has never looked brighter for this dynamic and innovative company!
“There is no one better positioned to further raise CRB’s leadership position in the marketplace while simultaneously nurturing and advancing our coveted culture. From day one we’ve put remarkable client and employee experiences at the center of everything we do, and no one understands that balance more than Ryan,” said Jeff Biskup, one of the company’s original three founders who mentored Schroeder during his rise through the company ranks.
“This promotion is well-earned by Ryan, and it’s terrific news for our clients and employees as our company gets stronger and continues to expand our leadership in the industries we serve.”
Schroeder went on to add, “Following in Jeff’s footsteps as CEO carries extra meaning for me. He’s been an incredible mentor from the day I arrived at CRB, and his devotion to successful client outcomes is unmatched. I will continue to lean on his leadership, experience and instincts as we guide CRB well into the future.”
“Combining CRB’s regional and technical teams into a single reporting structure under Kitchell, who previously led the company’s Emerging Business Operations group, advances the company’s integration efforts and how CRB serves clients. His expertise and experience as both a CRB leader and former client uniquely position Kitchell to deliver on the company’s promise to clients: successful, innovative project delivery that consistently meets their business objectives,” said Schroeder.
“Creating an integrated CRB Operations group continues our journey toward becoming a truly united, global organization driven by technical excellence, continuous learning and innovation, with an exciting work environment that keeps employee experience at the heart of everything we do,” he said.
Exciting news from CRB! Sam Kitchell, a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, has been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Before his well-deserved promotion, Kitchell led CRB's Emerging Business Operations team, where he worked hand-in-hand with the company's renowned Growth Catalyst Program to identify and bring new initiatives to market.
As COO, Kitchell will now oversee all of CRB's operational functions, bringing his wealth of experience and expertise to bear in driving the company forward. He will be building on his impressive track record, which includes stints as Group Vice President of Engineering for Shire (now Takeda), where he led a team of over 1,600 employees across seven countries and played a key role in the company's global expansion efforts.
Kitchell's prior experience also includes senior engineering roles at other leading biotech companies like Baxalta and Baxter Healthcare, making him one of the most accomplished and respected figures in the industry.
Taking over Kitchell's previous responsibilities will be Chief Strategy Officer Bart Schubert, who created and managed CRB's Growth Catalyst Program since its inception in 2019. With this move, CRB is doubling down on its commitment to innovation, growth, and operational excellence, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of the industry for years to come.
Join us in congratulating Sam Kitchell on his well-deserved promotion and Bart Schubert on his exciting new role at CRB. The future has never looked brighter for this dynamic and forward-thinking company!
“When I arrived at CRB in 2021, I was thrilled by the opportunity to design an EBO group that would develop our most promising business initiatives and prepare them for the marketplace,” said Kitchell.
“Over more than two decades, as a client and now an employee, I’ve seen CRB’s entrepreneurial spirit and technical excellence unleashed on some of the world’s most urgent challenges. I’m humbled and honored to take this next step and continue working alongside Ryan and our talented corps of professionals in their critical work.”
But that's not all. CRB is also pleased to announce the formation of CRB Operations, a new division that brings together the company's Regional Operations and Technical Operations teams under one roof. Leading this exciting new group will be Sam Kitchell, who has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer.
Schroeder has been with CRB since 1987, starting out as an architectural engineer and rising through the ranks to become the leader of CRB's Midwest region in 2010. As President, he has overseen unprecedented growth at the company, including the first $1 billion-plus revenue years in 2021 and 2022. Thanks to his leadership, CRB has become a leading provider of manufacturing facilities for life-saving medicinal therapies, vaccines, and some of the most popular food, beverage, and pet food brands on the market.
Under Schroeder's tenure, CRB has also expanded its physical footprint, growing from a small regional player to a global powerhouse with 21 offices across North America and Europe. And with nearly 1,800 employees on the payroll - a three-fold increase under Schroeder's leadership - the company shows no signs of slowing down.
Join us in congratulating Ryan Schroeder, Jeff Biskup, and Sam Kitchell on their exciting new roles at CRB. The future has never looked brighter for this dynamic and innovative company!
“There is no one better positioned to further raise CRB’s leadership position in the marketplace while simultaneously nurturing and advancing our coveted culture. From day one we’ve put remarkable client and employee experiences at the center of everything we do, and no one understands that balance more than Ryan,” said Jeff Biskup, one of the company’s original three founders who mentored Schroeder during his rise through the company ranks.
“This promotion is well-earned by Ryan, and it’s terrific news for our clients and employees as our company gets stronger and continues to expand our leadership in the industries we serve.”
Schroeder went on to add, “Following in Jeff’s footsteps as CEO carries extra meaning for me. He’s been an incredible mentor from the day I arrived at CRB, and his devotion to successful client outcomes is unmatched. I will continue to lean on his leadership, experience and instincts as we guide CRB well into the future.”
“Combining CRB’s regional and technical teams into a single reporting structure under Kitchell, who previously led the company’s Emerging Business Operations group, advances the company’s integration efforts and how CRB serves clients. His expertise and experience as both a CRB leader and former client uniquely position Kitchell to deliver on the company’s promise to clients: successful, innovative project delivery that consistently meets their business objectives,” said Schroeder.
“Creating an integrated CRB Operations group continues our journey toward becoming a truly united, global organization driven by technical excellence, continuous learning and innovation, with an exciting work environment that keeps employee experience at the heart of everything we do,” he said.
Exciting news from CRB! Sam Kitchell, a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, has been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Before his well-deserved promotion, Kitchell led CRB's Emerging Business Operations team, where he worked hand-in-hand with the company's renowned Growth Catalyst Program to identify and bring new initiatives to market.
As COO, Kitchell will now oversee all of CRB's operational functions, bringing his wealth of experience and expertise to bear in driving the company forward. He will be building on his impressive track record, which includes stints as Group Vice President of Engineering for Shire (now Takeda), where he led a team of over 1,600 employees across seven countries and played a key role in the company's global expansion efforts.
Kitchell's prior experience also includes senior engineering roles at other leading biotech companies like Baxalta and Baxter Healthcare, making him one of the most accomplished and respected figures in the industry.
Taking over Kitchell's previous responsibilities will be Chief Strategy Officer Bart Schubert, who created and managed CRB's Growth Catalyst Program since its inception in 2019. With this move, CRB is doubling down on its commitment to innovation, growth, and operational excellence, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of the industry for years to come.
Join us in congratulating Sam Kitchell on his well-deserved promotion and Bart Schubert on his exciting new role at CRB. The future has never looked brighter for this dynamic and forward-thinking company!
“When I arrived at CRB in 2021, I was thrilled by the opportunity to design an EBO group that would develop our most promising business initiatives and prepare them for the marketplace,” said Kitchell.
“Over more than two decades, as a client and now an employee, I’ve seen CRB’s entrepreneurial spirit and technical excellence unleashed on some of the world’s most urgent challenges. I’m humbled and honored to take this next step and continue working alongside Ryan and our talented corps of professionals in their critical work.”
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