Univera Global Family of Companies
Univera LifeSciences™ enjoys the unique position of being one of the newest members of a successful family of global companies. This business empire is the one of world's first vertically–integrated network of companies entirely focused on natural products and healthy aging. Referred to as the ECONET, it comprises hundreds of millions of dollars in capital and has been more than 30 years in the making.
Univera enjoys the enviable position of being the distribution channel for a line of unique and patented products flowing from this massive ECONET engine. The ECONET is able to deliver products directly from farm to family, ensuring superior quality and product ingredient innovation.
This process begins with the highest quality raw materials from farms and forests around the globe. The ECONET includes Aloecorp, the world's largest producer of Aloe vera with plantations in Texas, Mexico and China. A vast tract of pristine forest near Vladivostok, Russia has recently been acquired for the study of botanicals indigenous to that region of the world. The ECONET presently has more than 15,000 acres under cultivation along with potential alliances in India, Europe and South America.
ECONET research is conducted by two state–of–the–art laboratories, Unigen West in Lacey, Washington, and Unigen East near Seoul, Korea. With over 100,000 square feet of scientific and technological facilities, staffed by scientists from a wide variety of disciplines, the research and vision behind ECONET science are unique in the natural products industry. The close relationship between the sister companies of ECONET provides Univera with an exciting and scientifically sound source of patented and proprietary ingredients. Unigen received the international NutraCon Award for the most significant nutraceutical advance in 2005, for its plant-based anti–inflammatory compound known as Protectin.™
The secret of healthy aging has always been at our fingertips, but no one has been able to see it until now. A new science called genomics has created a revolutionary capability that allows us to look at genes, the blueprint of life. Through the Metabolic Model of Aging, Univera has found a way to reduce cellular damage and enhance repair; this enables Univera to essentially alter the fundamental cause of aging.
Univera is years ahead of the competition in advanced research, technology and manufacturing capabilities, allowing it to deliver proprietary products like AgelessXtra™, Ageless Essentials™, RegeniCARE®, MetaGreens®, MetaBerry® and Ageless Prime LSF™.
Univera LifeSciences is the "point of the spear" – a delivery vehicle for the vast economic network of companies owned by Bill Lee who calls his companies collectively an ECONET, a global resource structure unmatched by any in the nutraceutical industry.
Among the companies in Mr. Lee's ECONET are Aloecorp, the world leader in the production of raw aloe, Namyang Aloe, Korea's greatest direct sales company, and Unigen East and West-the research and manufacturing companies that help produce the world's best natural healthy–aging products.
As part of the international family of companies that comprise the ECONET, Univera has access to more than 100,000 square feet of research facilities between South Korea and the U.S. In fact, we have more combined research space, more scientists, more studies, patents and publications than many other natural products companies. We are devoting the massive resources and talent required to make the dream of healthy aging a reality.
Univera celebrated its 6th anniversary in 2005. Construction is underway on a new, 40–acre campus in Lacey, Washington, which will become our new home. Univera LifeSciences™ is proud to be part of this rich history and proud of the leaders who have made this vision a reality.
As Chairman of Namyang Aloe Co. Ltd., one of Korea's largest direct selling companies, Aloecorp, the world's largest aloe producing company, Unigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical research and development laboratory, and Unigen, one of Asia's largest natural products research facilities, Mr. Lee has been responsible for the creation of new protocols in quality control and new uses for plants in medicines and health care products. He espouses his late father's humble belief that a great company can make a difference to the world by "bringing the best of nature to mankind™," and has devoted vast resources to making that dream a reality. Bill believes that with success comes the responsibility to help others. In addition to the many research grants and scholarships that Bill and his companies have awarded, since 1998 he has donated more than 600 tons of rice to feed those in need.
As the former CEO and President of the largest direct selling company in the world, Stuart intimately understands how to build a successful company. At the age of 49, Stuart retired from his position as CEO and President of 4 billion dollar giant, Avon Direct Sales.
“Univera was a destiny that I kept resisting. Little by little, the opportunity to do something truly great began to emerge. The synchronicity of the people who became involved with Univera became hard to ignore. We were looking for the same thing: excellence. I have no doubt that this has happened for a purpose, and the timing in my career gives me a special opportunity to save the best for last and to create a legacy that will last. ”
Stephen Cherniske is a pioneer in the field of healthy aging and the chief architect of the groundbreaking Metabolic Model of Aging. He is also a best–selling author and recognized expert in nutritional biochemistry and human performance. For more than 30 years, Stephen has studied and educated others in nutrition, anatomy and physiology. Stephen's aging research began in the early 1980s at UCLA. He went on to direct the nation's first FDA–licensed nutritional testing laboratory. Stephen taught sports nutrition for the American College of Sports Medicine and served as a consultant to members of the U.S. Olympic Team. More About Stephen...
Rich joins Univera with senior–level experience in marketing, sales, and business development with Fortune 500 companies as well as entrepreneurial start–ups, including: Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly and Company, a venture-capital backed medical information/brand development company, and a privately-held nutritional products turnaround. His roles have spanned from in-line marketing and sales responsibilities to executive–level roles, including positions as: Vice President Business Development, Marketing, Sales, and President. Rich brings knowledge and passion for the evolving healthcare marketplace and enthusiasm about the "best in class" products and people at Univera. He is eager to help us build the world's best nutritional products company.
Wes’ background includes 28 years of operations experience with the past 11 focused upon direct marketing supplement products, including two years as Global Supply Chain Director with XanGo, three years handling business Development for Evince, and six years with the Pharmanex division of NuSkin as Senior Director of supply Chain Management.