As a nationally recognized leader in managed care pharmacy operations, Robert Taketomo launched Ventegra in 2005 to first focus on the pharmacy segment of healthcare, with a strong vision and expectation to expand into other healthcare delivery segments. He has more than 27 years of experience as a pharmacist. He started in research as a Clinical Pharmacokineticist, moving into general clinical programs as a Supervisor, Manager, and Director in the hospital environment. He has been involved in managed care for more than a decade, starting with CIGNA, FHP, PacifiCare, and Health Net. He honed his considerable managed care pharmacy expertise with FHP and PacifiCare. Dr. Taketomo oversaw all pharmaceutical contracts and implemented purchase, rebate, and risk agreements. As Vice President of Industry Relations, he also launched the generic sampling program, FirstLine Solutions, and the injectable program at RxSolutions, the PBM for PacifiCare. In January 2002, Dr. Taketomo joined Health Net of California as Vice President of Pharmacy. In this capacity, he oversaw all pharmacy functions including formulary, benefit design, network management, claims, and prior authorization. He spearheaded Health Net’s injectable initiative and worked with other payors to launch The Generic Advantage program. In January 2004, he also assumed pharmacy oversight responsibility for Health Net of Oregon.
Dr. Taketomo received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Southern California, and conducted his undergraduate studies at the University of California at Los Angeles. He completed a clinical residency in Pharmacokinetics at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in La Jolla, California. He went on to earn his Masters of Business Administration from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Richard joined Ventegra in November 2011 as Chief Pharmacy Officer. In his role, Richard shares extensive responsibility for the administration and ongoing vision of Ventegra. He has more than two decades of solid and increasingly progressive experience in the managed care industry and pharmacy benefit management with stellar organizations including MEDeMORPHUS, a division of PacifiCare Health Systems as VP of Pharmacy Affairs where he was responsible for pharmacy operations and clinical oversight for the division’s point of care electronic prescribing technologies. Additional experiences include Richard’s work at MedImpact Healthcare, a pharmacy benefits management company where he served as Chief Pharmacy Officer and VP of Pharmacy Affairs; Premier, Inc., a pharmaceutical purchasing cooperative of over 200 leading hospitals and health systems throughout the nation as VP, Managed Care Pharmacy, and FHP Healthcare, a large multi-state staff and IPA model health maintenance organization, as senior pharmacy executive for the corporation.

Don Schoenly joined Ventegra in April of 2005 and has to his credit more than 40 years in the pharmaceutical industry, including 20 years in managed care. As Director of Strategic Accounts for Ventegra, Schoenly oversees client development in the HMO, PBM, employer, and other payor markets. Mr. Schoenly’s impressive industry credentials include high level positions for such companies as William H Rorer, Miles, Bayer and most recently Takeda Pharmaceutical America. Mr. Schoenly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Muhlenberg College.

Mike Gannon joined Ventegra in November 2011 as Director, Strategic Accounts. In this essential role, Mr. Gannon oversees and facilitates business development and account management. Mr. Gannon is a nationally respected veteran healthcare professional with more than 30 years of experience in various aspects of the industry, including pharmaceutical, medical equipment, and medical devices. His background includes progressively responsible positions in sales, brand management, and life science products and services, including VP Sales and Business Development for KMI; VP Medical Sales for Zounds; VP Sales and Marketing for Sysmex; Director of National Accounts/Managed Markets for Takeda, and National Field Sales Manager, National Accounts for Bayer. Mr. Gannon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Southwest Louisiana.

Marnie Solis joined Ventegra in August 2008.  Ms. Solis is a registered pharmacy technician with the California State Board of Pharmacy. In her integral role, Ms. Solis interacts regularly with Ventegra’s valued clients to guide them in the implementation process, providing personalized and tailored transition support. She brings to Ventegra her extensive background in pharmacy operations, client services and specific experience with pharmacy network management and contracting within the PBM industry.

Maryn Masumiya joined Ventegra in December 2007.  In her role, Ms. Masumiya guides clients in the implementation process, providing personalized and tailored transition support. She manages client data collection and operational processes, and provides ongoing client support. Ms. Masumiya has considerable expertise in account management, marketing, and publishing.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Wendy Segat joined Ventegra in October 2010 as a Client Services Specialist.  Ms. Segat guides clients in the implementation process, providing personalized and tailored transition support. In her role, she assists with client data collection, client communication and project management, as well as providing ongoing client support.  Ms. Segat also works closely with the help desk and provides general day-to-day support to the operational side of the business. Ms. Segat worked in education for a number of years before joining the Ventegra team. She earned her Master of Education and Bachelor of Science degrees from Cal Poly Pomona.

Jodi joined Ventegra in August 2009 as a Client Services Coordinator and was quickly promoted to Lead and then Supervisor. Ms. Hupp brings to Ventegra a rich background in administrative support, honed from several high profile healthcare and pharmacy company positions. In her role, she works directly with Ventegra’s clients, providing effective and timely customer assistance triaged through Ventegra’s help desk. 

Michele Yoon, Pharm.D., joined Ventegra in January of 2008.   Dr. Yoon is an accomplished clinician, with over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and managed care industries.  She is responsible for the clinical program development at Ventegra.  Integral components of the program include the Clinical Advisory Committee, formulary management, and client clinical support services.   Dr. Yoon has held high-level clinical positions for innovative companies including Amgen, Roche and Kaiser Permanente.  Dr. Yoon earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.  She completed a clinical residency in Geriatrics at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in La Jolla, California.

Diana Jou, Pharm.D., joined Ventegra’s Clinical Programs team in May of 2011.  In her role, Dr. Jou develops new innovative Ventegra clinical programs and assists with formulary management, and provides considerable value to the activities of the Clinical Advisory Committee.  Dr. Jou brings more than 18 years of experience from a broad array of practice settings, such as inpatient hospital, managed care, and pharmacy informatics.  She comes to us from Zynx Health Incorporated where she honed her expertise in Pharmacy Informatics as a Contract Pharmacist. Prior to her position at the corporate office of Zynx Health, Dr. Jou worked for its subsidiary, Zynx Health Device Network, applying her extensive background in pharmacy product development and clinical content. Dr. Jou has also held progressively responsible pharmacy management positions at major health plans and health systems, including WellPoint Pharmacy Management where she served as Clinical Intervention Call Center Manager, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was a Pharmacy Program Coordinator for their Pain Management program. She studied biology at the University of California, Los Angeles before continuing on to earn her Doctor of Pharmacy and complete a residency in Primary Care Pharmacy Practice at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy.

Sheila Lee joined Ventegra in April of 2006 as Manager of Clinical Programs. Ms. Lee supports the strategy, development, and implementation of Ventegra's clinical programs, implementation and maintenance of formulary related programs, and develops processes that are integral to the Clinical Programs department. Ms. Lee has a vast range of pharmacy experience in both retail pharmacy and managed care. This includes expertise in managing operational aspects of clinical programs, including developing project plans and managing its implementation. She is also a skilled contract liaison, with considerable background working with national pharmaceutical companies and retail pharmacy networks. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from California State University, Fullerton, CA. Ms. Lee is a registered Pharmacy Technician with the California State Board of Pharmacy.

Dale Kramer, a well-respected pharmacy expert, joined Ventegra in April 2009 as General Manager, Purchasing Services. In his role, Dale is responsible for pharmacy contracting and related supply chain activities. Most recently, Dale provided his expertise to Remark Associates. Prior to his work with Remark Associates, he enjoyed a successful career that spanned more than 38 years with Kaiser Permanente where he served a variety of roles including Director of Pharmacy Operations, Director of Support Services, Manager of Pharmacy Purchasing and Distribution, and Area Chief Pharmacist. He has extensive expertise in pharmacy utilization strategies and drug benefit design. Dale has served as a clinical instructor for the University of Southern California. He received his BA degree in Pharmacy from Columbia University.

Mariana Ritchie joined Ventegra in January of 2005.  Backed by more than 20 years of experience in pharmacy benefit management, pharmaceutical contracting, and retail pharmacy, Ms. Ritchie is responsible for the company’s Industry Relations. In this role, she bridges the relationship between Ventegra, its clients, and the pharmaceutical industry.  Among her accomplishments, Ms. Ritchie was instrumental in implementing Presription Solutions’ automated rebate system, as well as assisting in the development of their generic sampling program and a zip code reporting tool.  Ms. Ritchie holds a Masters of Public Health from Loma Linda University and is a California State Board of Pharmacy registered Pharmacy Technician.

Teresa Morelock joined Ventegra in October 2008.  Ms. Morelock provides general support of day-to-day company activities including rebate processing, payment reconciliation, contract compliance, and utilization analysis.  Additionally, she has been instrumental in the implementation of the Ventegra Pharmacy Help Desk including the development of effective processes and call center technology.  Ms. Morelock has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 20 years, bringing to Ventegra experience in managing teams of up to 180 people on the pharmacy help desk, mail service customer service, and workforce management teams. In her former roles she was responsible for development and implementation of key departmental initiatives to support growth and revenue targets of a rapidly growing Pharmacy Benefit Management company including a quality assurance program that had measurable impact on service improvement. Ms. Morelock earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Psychology from the California State University, Long Beach.  She is a licensed health insurance agent.

Joyce Howie first joined Ventegra in February of 2005, and now heads the Business Operations division. Ms. Howie has a rich hands-on background in the pharmacy industry, and jumpstarted her career as a pharmacy technician in 1988. She has a wide range of pharmacy exposure from outpatient pharmacy to hospital pharmacy to pharmacy rebates and contracts.  One of her many achievements is assisting in the launch of the prior authorization department for CIGNA Health plans.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Cal Poly Pomona and is a California State Board of Pharmacy registered Pharmacy Technician.