TechAccel Announces Tina Youngblood Promotion to Chief Enterprise Officer

KANSAS CITY, MO – Dec. 27, 2021 – TechAccel, the technology venture firm investing in scientific breakthroughs to produce healthier plants, animals and foods, today announced the promotion of Tina Youngblood, Ph.D., to a new position as Chief Enterprise Officer.

Youngblood, formerly Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, joined TechAccel in January 2021.

“In a short time, Tina has proven herself as an integral member of the leadership team, showing exceptional skills in driving strategic business results,” said Greg Graves, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TechAccel. “We can’t wait to see Tina in action in her new role, guiding TechAccel into its next phase.”

In the new role, Youngblood will be responsible for operationalizing business strategies, executing capital plans, and building and leveraging relationships with investment banks, private equity and venture investors. She will also oversee the corporate infrastructure roles, including human resources, finance and accounting, legal, marketing and the program management office.

The new position is structured for organizational efficiency to drive accelerated growth.

TechAccel, since its founding in 2014, has built a portfolio of more than 25 assets, including three subsidiaries working in RNAi biopesticides and epigenetic platform technologies. The company operates by identifying breakthrough scientific innovation in agriculture, animal health and food technology, and advancing the technology to market. The scientific advances are directed in the company’s laboratories and with academic and research partners.

TechAccel recently sold its majority ownership stake in its subsidiary Covenant Animal Health Partners LLC to NovaQuest Capital Management. Terms were not disclosed.

“I’m excited to tackle this new position and take on new responsibilities associated with our short- and long-term capital plans to drive the science advancement and commercialization of our assets,” Youngblood said. “I am honored to contribute to this amazing organization that works every day to improve the human condition with more nutritious and sustainable foods, and healthier animals.”

Michael Helmstetter, Ph.D., founder and president of TechAccel, said he welcomes a close co- leadership role with Youngblood, which allows him greater focus on scientific breakthroughs and innovations.

“Tina brought robust operational processes and passion. She embraced and nurtured TechAccel’s ‘can-do’ culture that honors innovation, agility and scientific rigor,” Helmstetter said. “She shares our drive for excellence and commitment to delivering meaningful solutions to the world’s food challenges.”

Youngblood came to TechAccel from Pathfinder Health Innovations, a software startup in Kansas City, where she served as CEO. She has also served as CEO at Spencer Re and Cunningham Lindsey; earlier she spent 10 years in a variety of global leadership positions with Zurich Insurance Group, including as chief of staff to the chief administrative officer of the corporate center in Zurich, Switzerland, as well as CAO of the North American division in Chicago.