Mark Weiss,
Chairman of the Board

Mr. Weiss is a corporate and intellectual property attorney and partner with Weiss, Moy & Harris, and has practiced intellectual property law since 1991 and possess expertise in corporate transactions, acquisitions, reverse mergers and formation issues. In the past 14 years of practicing law, Mr. Weiss has helped form hundreds of corporations and limited liability companies and often continues to represent these entities after their formation. Mr. Weiss has served on the Board of Directors for two public companies, Fourthstage Technologies, Inc. which merged with Aperian in 2001 and traded on NASDAQ, and Osage Computer Group, Inc., which traded on the American Stock Exchange.

Jack Leadbeater,
President and Chief Executive Officer

Jack Leadbeater is president and chief executive officer of Sottera Inc., based in Scottsdale, Ariz. Sottera has launched the groundbreaking products and technology represented by the trademarked brand NJOY. The name Sottera is derived from Soteria, the Greek God of preservation, redemption and salvation, three words that are the essence of the NJOY brand and products that give tobacco smokers the opportunity to continue smoking with minimized health risk, greater freedom, lower cost and more social acceptance. 

With more than 25 years of experience building and operating businesses, Leadbeater has leveraged his management, sales and business development skills to successfully grow multiple technology and professional services companies.

Prior to 1993, Leadbeater was the chairman and CEO of an early-stage software development company in Canada specializing in Web-enabled, database software application development.

From 1993 to 1999, he was chairman and CEO of Osage Systems Group, a publicly traded network infrastructure and computing solutions company. He oversaw the direction of the company’s profitability, customer satisfaction and growth, and established a culture that delivered extreme excellence in all aspects of the business.

From 1999 to 2005, Leadbeater worked as a representative for The Palladin Group L.P., a private investment management firm in Maplewood, N.J. In addition, he held management-level positions at companies such as IBM, Xerox, MAI Basic Four Computers, and Telecommunication Terminal Systems.

Leadbeater graduated with honors from the University of Manitoba, Canada, where he received a bachelor of commerce degree with specialization in marketing. Previously, he held a National Association of Securities Dealers Series 7 General Securities license.

Jim Palasota,
Vice President, Sales And Marketing

Jim Palasota is the V.P. of Sales and Marketing for NJOY, where he oversees marketing, advertising and sales. He brings more than 20 years of experience in these disciplines with extensive expertise in product development and territory expansion in domestic and international markets.

Palasota most recently served as president of KareMor Manufacturing International, a division of Mayor Pharmaceutical Labs based in Shannon, Ireland. Palasota grew KareMor’s nutritional product line from a start-up to global success throughout 30 countries. In that capacity, he initiated private-label relationships with Boots Pharmacy (UK), QVC Home Shopping (Germany), and was instrumental in the sale and marketing with Wal-Mart and Osco Drugs (U.S.).

From 1996-1998, Palasota served as president and general manager at The Integrity Group, a provider of Internet-based executive training sessions and automobile products based in Calgary, Canada. There, he increased sales by 23% and lead the firm’s initial public offering and NASDAQ listing. Prior to joining The Integrity Group, he was national director of operations at Professional Marketing Systems, where he reorganized and streamlined the business, resulting in a 37% increase in sales in 12 months while cutting overhead by 15%.

From 1993-1995, he served as general manager of Jeunique International, launching the Canadian startup operation of the U.S. world-class skincare and nutritional product group. While at Jeunique, he oversaw everything from product approval by government entities to international communications, sales and marketing.

Jim Palasota is a graduate of Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He also holds Technical and Mechanical Certifications with International Harvester as well as Briggs & Stratton.

PETER E. MEISENBACH

CONTROLLER

Peter Meisenbach is controller for Sottera, d.b.a. NJOY, where he is responsible for all financial processes for the company.  Peter brings over 10 years of experience in the financial arena, and over 15 years experience in business operations. 

Peter most recently served as controller for a Tempe Arizona based company, Robson Energy, where he provided financial guidance to upper management, while overseeing financial day-to-day responsibilities for the company.  Prior to Robson Energy, Peter worked for Isola Corporation as their World-Wide Accounting Manager and USA controller, providing leadership to a staff of 9 managers.  Also, responsible for the reporting activities for four national and ten foreign manufacturing entities. Peter also served in managerial roles for Naumann Hobbs Material Handling, George S. May International and Weaver Instructional Systems.  Among the history of Meisenbach business experience, he also owned and operated a franchise in Michigan, Faro’s Italian Restaurant.

Michael Nielsen,
vice president, Operations

Michael Nielsen is the operations manager for NJOY, where his responsibilities include overseeing manufacturing, inventory control and operational logistics, and serving as the supplier liaison. He brings more than 20 years of experience managing cross-functional teams to financial, strategic and tactical successes.

Nielsen most recently served as the supply chain and replacement parts manager for Phoenix-based Furniture Values International, where he was accountable for inventory, replacement parts, purchasing, distribution, order entry, information management and logistics. Prior to his work at Furniture Values International, Nielsen served in managerial roles with Applied Materials, Rohr Inc. and Northrop Inc., all in California.

Nielsen attended the University of Sa