Our Team

David Claybaugh

BA, History George Mason

COO; Director, Strategic Defense Projects David brings 10 years of experience in model-based data analytics, simulation, and System Dynamics to his role at Ventana. With a background in analytics at Booz Allen and USMCR, David brings experience in model development, testing, and data integrattion, contributing to projects across sectors including transportation, energy, and national security. David is known for his attention to detail, adaptability, and collaborative approach to solving complex problems.

Thomas S. Fiddaman

Ph.D. System Dynamics and Operations Management, MIT Sloan School of Management; B.A. Engineering Sciences, Dartmouth

Chairman, CTO  Tom joined Ventana in 1997 and has 30 years experience in applying models for the economic implications of global climate change, strategic electricity sector testing of pollution reduction strategies, and natural gas supply and demand. His business consulting includes models of next-generation technologies, international consumer markets and commodity supply and demand. Tom received the 2006 Forrester Prize for the best contribution to the field of System Dynamics published in the preceding 5 years; and a 2019 Applications Award for making integrated assessment models accessible to a broad audience. His dissertation analyzed energy-economy interactions and their implications for climate policy, parts of which are in Climate Interactive's C-ROADS and En-ROADS.

Mary M. Neil

B.A. Business Administration, University of Massachusetts

Director, Planning & Finance Mary is Treasurer of Ventana, and is responsible for financial planning and operations. She helped found Ventana in 1985, coming from a position as operations manager of a software consulting firm. Mary began her career at Digital Equipment where she worked in logistics planning, supervision, and education.

David W. Peterson

Ph.D., S.M., S.B. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT

Founder, Chief Scientist David is internationally recognized for System Dynamics and optimal control modeling. David's focus is developing systems for business strategy optimization and enterprise-wide decision support. His approach emphasizes the testing of models with incomplete and approximate data. David's 50 years' of experience includes successful engagements in R&D management, global marketing strategies, new market entry, pricing, customer service strategies, and control of business enterprises. He holds patents for features of Ventana software which enable semi-automatic detection and prevention of errors, and rapid comprehension of complex results.

Laura D. Peterson

PMD Harvard Business School; S.B. Economics MIT

President Laura is a founder of Ventana. Prior to Ventana, Laura helped organize the Club of Rome visit to MIT. Laura was a group manager at Digital Equipment Corporation, responsible for logistics planning and advanced automated testing. At Ventana Laura has worked closely with clients over Ventana's 40-year history. In 2007, the Boston History and Innovation Collaborative honored Laura as a Champion of Innovation for work in decision support for complex systems.

Mike Ryder

Ph.D., Energy Engineering, University of North Dakota; M.Eng, Energy Systems Engineering, University of Michigan; BSE, Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan

CEO; Manager, Strategic Defense Projects Mike is an experienced engineer and System Dynamics modeler with 15 years of work spanning clean energy, technology commercialization, and strategic modeling. His Ph.D. Dissertation developed an integrated approach to model the financial and technical aspects of novel chemical processes. His prior experience includes leading feasibility modeling and prototyping efforts for advanced energy systems across a range of technologies and technical consulting for a variety of industries. Michael has deep expertise in Vensim and systems thinking, and has applied these skills across sectors including energy, aerospace, smart building technology, and SaaS business modeling. Mike has successfully directed Ventana defense and international NGO projects including a focus on how to communicate complex insights.

Adem Delibaş

S.M. Engineering and Management, MIT; MS Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University

Director, Commercial Projects Adem has 15 years of experience in helping clients solve complex policy and strategy challenges using dynamic modeling. Most recently, he has helped a major multinational electronics corporation simulate carbon footprint of their product portfolio. Prior to joining Ventana, Adem co-developed the En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator, conducted global climate policy analyses and facilitated numerous climate workshops. Other human-caused environmental problems, urban development, and project modeling have been the focus of his other major modeling work. Earlier in his career, Adem worked as an engineer and solution architect in IBM Software Group.

Jacob Fine

BS, Computer Science University of Massachusetts, Lowell

Senior Software Developer Jacob joined Ventana after working as a software engineer supporting the design, development, and refinement of a high-performance System Dynamics modeling engine. His previous work focused on core enhancements to simulation architecture, calibration systems, and diagnostics—improving speed and accuracy for advanced modeling applications.  

Scott T. Johnson

M.Phil (ABT), System Dynamics, University of Bergen, Norway; BS, Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Training and University Liaison Scott is a System Dynamics modeler and systems engineer with 25 years experience helping to improve decision-making in complex organizational environments. He has led consulting, research, and educational efforts in sectors ranging from energy to international development. His work includes developing and teaching graduate-level System Dynamics courses at University of North Dakota, and supporting Ventana climate and economic modeling initiatives through training and interface management for global stakeholders. Previously, as a Senior Engineer at BP, Scott lead System Dynamics R&D efforts and developed predictive project planning tools still used in executive training.  

Tony Kennedy

B Sc. (Hons) Mathematics, De Montfort University, Leicester

Director, Vensim Development & Support Tony has 30 years working with Vensim. Tony's career has included simulation development using both System Dynamics and discrete event techniques. He has extensive experience in computer simulation, software and GUI design and development. He has applied simulation techniques to war-gaming, manpower, capacity planning, and maintenance issues.

Katie Lynch

B.A. Political Science, Trinity College

Director, Communications Katie supports strategic planning, business development, communications, and operations. She brings 20 years of experience working with middle management and C-Suite executives across a range of industries. Katie has helped brands streamline communications, build cross-channel strategies, and launch new products and services. She connects business goals with smart, effective marketing.

Martha G. Miller

Ph.D. Social Psychology, Harvard University; B.A. Social Psychology, University of Indiana

Organizational Development Martha specializes in the successful deployment and implementation of predictive technology for organizations. She is also expert in cross-cultural and non-verbal communication, in which she has been consulted by a number of leading corporations as well as NASA, the U.S. Foreign Service, and the U.S. Court of Appeals. Prior to consulting full time, she served as Associate Dean at the Yale School of Organization and Management, and the UCLA Graduate School of Management, and taught courses on communication and organizational behavior.

Bob Neil

B.A. Business Administration, University of Massachusetts

Director, Business Development Bob has 40 years’ experience in the insurance sector, including leadership in P&L management, business development, and revenue growth. He recently built the Emerging Markets segment for Wellfleet Insurance—a Berkshire Hathaway company—leading the launch of its first venture into the health and benefits space. Bob has a strategic mindset, ability to scale multi-channel organizations, and has consistently driven innovation and profitable growth. In addition to serving on the Ventana Systems Board for 35 years, he is a board member of The Business Council of New York State.

Karl von Laudermann

B.S. Computer Science, Northeastern University

Senior Software Developer Karl joined Ventana's product development team in 2013. He is a senior software engineer with strong product development experience and a skilled object-oriented designer with an emphasis on user friendly GUI design, and clean, robust code architecture. Karl was a key contributor to the development of the Jitia System Dynamics simulation system at PA Consulting.

Larry Yeager

MBA, Northeastern University, S.B. Management Sciences, MIT

Director, Ventity Development & Support Larry for 50 years has been leading software product development with a focus on simulation and decision support. Larry joined Ventana in 2010 to lead Vensim development, and then led the design and implementation for Ventity, supporting Object Oriented System Dynamics. He was the lead author for the award of a Ventity patent. Previous to Ventana he served in senior management for technology startups and led development of software applications supporting high value software sales.