About RTI
It is our vision at Rural Technologies, Inc. to become recognized by our clientele, competitors, and community, as an innovative leader in the animal health, agricultural, and biotechnology industries, with a team of scientists whose strong values and principles are at the core of their personal and professional lives.
We accomplish this by:
- Attracting, developing, motivating, and retaining the best people
- Working with an accomplished team of nationally and internationally recognized scientists, clinicians, and animal health experts.
- Making honesty, quality, integrity, and excellence the pillars for the way we do business
- Continually growing and improving our business
Our Team
Christopher Chase, DVM, PhD
Chief Executive 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 p... Read More
Steve Pohl, PhD
Chief Financial Officer / Secretary / Treasurer
Dr. Pohl works with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors to develop RTI’s strategic plans, operational plans, and annual budget. He assures that all projects are adequately funded, and is involved with the day-to-day company finances. His financial experience incl... Read More
Rolland Nevins, BS
Chief Operating Officer / Business Development Manager
Rollie joined RTI 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 ... Read More
Alicia Zimmerman, DVM
Clinical Research Manager
Alicia Zimmerman is the head of Clinical Research at Rural Technologies, Inc. She joined RTI after completing her DVM at Iowa State in 2003. Dr. Zimmerman is committed to providing our clientele with exemplary service while going above and beyond in all aspects of project managemen... Read More
Michelle Berkland, B.S.
Laboratory Research Associate
Michelle came to RTI in the fall of 2011. In her previous position, she collaborated with faculty from South Dakota State University and the National renewable Energy Laboratory to develop a testing system for analyzing plant materials for ethanol production. Michelle oversees monoclonal... Read More
Vicki Bierschbach, BS
Office Manager / Human Resources
Vicki’s responsibilities include overseeing human resources, accounting, orientating new employees, and coordinating travel and schedules, as well as, assisting the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer in composing financial reports. She joined RTI in 2005, after 20 years of exp... Read More
Robin Buterbaugh, MS
Laboratory Manager
Robin started working at RTI in 2001 while pursuing her undergraduate degree at South Dakota State University. Since that time, she has completed her Master’s of Science in Biological Sciences emphasizing in Veterinary Microbiology with work in F18 Post Weaning Diarrhea. Robin over... Read More
Anna Drew, BS
Marketing Manager / Laboratory Research Associate
Anna joined RTI in 2008 after working at South Dakota State University for over 12 years in the Animal Science Department in Cow/Calf Research and Teaching and Feedlot Nutrition. At RTI she oversees the virus and cell culture areas of the contract research laboratory. In addition to her labora... Read More
Melanie Fischer, BS, RPH
Quality Assurance Manager
Melanie Fischer is responsible for ensuring that all studies, facilities, equipment and records are in compliance with various regulatory agencies. She objectively and regularly evaluates each study to ensure that it is performed according to protocol, and the data are collected, documented and repo... Read More
Alyssa Hesemann, BS
Veterinary Research Associate
Alyssa graduated from South Dakota State University in May 2011 with a B.S. in Animal Science and a minor in Biology. While attending SDSU she completed an internship in the Veterinary Science Diagnostic Research Laboratory and worked on the necropsy floor of the Animal Disease and Diagn... Read More
Angela Klein, BS, RVT
IACUC Coordinator
Angela has been with RTI for approximately 5 years. Previously, Angela worked as an RVT for mixed and small animal practices, as well as served as an Adjunct Professor in the Veterinary Technology program at Globe University, Sioux Falls. Currently, among other assorted tasks, Ange... Read More
Chithra Sreenivasan, BVSc.
Laboratory Research Associate
Chilthra joined RTI while pursuing her Master's degree in Microbiology at South Dakota State University working on the characterization of intestinal innate immune responses using in vitro porcine models. She holds a BVSc. degree in Veterinary and Animal Sciences from Kerala Agricultural Unive... Read More
Tanya Triebwasser
Veterinary Research Associate
Tanya has been with RTI since 1997. Tanya’s responsibilities include meeting daily animal care needs, treatment, observation, and sample collection. She has expertise in study site design and procurement. Along with working at RTI, she runs a swine and cow/calf farm with her husband and ... Read More