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Get to Know Us

EXPERIENCED SCIENTISTS & PROFESSIONALS CARETAKING YOUR TECHNOLOGIES

Chris Chase 1

Christopher Chase, DVM, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer / President

Dr. Chase leads the company’s business development and strategic planning team. He works extensively with clients to identify the current challenges and needs of the animal health industry. He is currently a professor in the Department of Veterinary Science, as well as an adjunct professor in the department of Biology/Microbiology at South Dakota State University. Dr. Chase co-founded RTI, LLC in 1994, realizing a niche for a quality contract research organization in Brookings, SD by taking advantage of the resources and graduates of nearby South Dakota State University. His expertise in animal disease research allows him to integrate veterinary research with the practical aspects of clinical medicine to provide direction in protocol development.
Nevins Rollie4926

Rolland Nevins, BS

Chief Executive Officer

Rollie joined RTI, LLC in September 2011, and is responsible for our strategic planning and new business development. During his more than 25 years in the livestock production industry he gained expertise in marketing, operations management, and budgeting. Rollie has a proven track record of instituting successful operational and marketing programs, and has built a strong history of client retention by developing and maintaining customer service programs.
 

 

 

Sonja VanHolland, MT (ASCP)

Director of Biologics Research and Diagnostic Laboratories

Sonja graduated from South Dakota State University with a double major in Microbiology and Clinical Laboratory Science, as well as a Minor in Chemistry. Since then, she has accumulated more than 30 years of experience managing microbiology and diagnostic laboratories, providing her a wealth and breadth of knowledge which could only have been acquired from her work in a variety of specialized facilities. These facilities have included a hospital microbiology department, a veterinary research laboratory, and a diagnostic, food safety, and seed health lab, at all of which Sonja has held a managerial role. Since her arrival at RTI in 2014, she has been a driving force behind shaping our laboratories and their offered services into what they are today. Now, Sonja functions as our laboratory director, and provides bacteriology expertise to the clinical team. With a strong and reliable group in place in the labs, her day-to-day focus has pivoted toward the expansion of RTI’s diagnostic, analytical testing, and service capabilities to food, pharmaceutical, and biotech clients.