PlanetTogether spins around a constellation of fresh talent in a culture of continuous learning. From software engineers and programmers to success consultants and marketers, we’ve taken our 50 years of collective experience, and created a passion for turning schedules into smart tools and manufacturers into superheroes. Here’s a peek into our personas:
Jim Cerra, President and CEO
President of PlanetTogether, world traveler, long-time wrestler, and a new father – Jim thrives on productivity. Every day begins with a question: “How do I make this day better for my clients, my employees, my company?”
Jim’s production scheduling software design leadership resulted in this next-generation APS platform, called Galaxy. Prior to co-founding PlanetTogether, Jim was the APS Product Manager for Epicor Software Corporation and Senior APS Consultant at C-WAY Systems Inc. He holds a Masters of Engineering and a B.S. degree in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University.
Larry Hargis, CFO and Director of Development
A deep and quiet thinker, Larry’s exceptional skill in software architecture, simulation software, and production scheduling algorithms is a center of gravity for PlanetTogether. An avid runner, Larry fuels his algorithm genius by running at least five miles a day to stay fit and build stamina for long hours of programming in front of his massive computer screens.
Prior to co-founding PlanetTogether, Larry headed the Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) development for Epicor Software Corporation and DataWorks Corporation. Larry holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science from San Diego State University.
Pete Nelson, Vice President of Sales
Pete’s talent stretches past his public role as our tech-savvy head of sales. He’s a manufacturing expert, former teacher, an electric guitar extraordinaire, and (by some accounts) a YouTube video star. He’s also one of the few to complete Cornell’s Mechanical Engineering program in only two years.
Pete manages our direct and channel sales from initial contact to close. Known for his APS expertise, he spent years as an implementation consultant for C-WAY Systems, and sales consultant for Logility. Pete has also guest lectured for Cornell Graduate Manufacturing classes and at the national APICS Conference.
While he loves music, stories, and meeting people from all over the world, Pete’s number one forte is helping manufacturers make informed decisions by guiding them through the jungle of scheduling systems.
Hermanto Hidajat, Vice President of Corporate Development
“Manto” grew up by the ocean on the island of Java. Born with a natural curiosity for
people and places, he has literally walked continents to some of the most remote corners of the world. A true citizen of the world, he speaks five languages.
Manto leads the corporate strategy and new business development. A master at solving complex business systems, Manto’s career spans decades in operations and manufacturing management in start-up, midmarket, and Fortune 500 companies with focus on production, sales, operations and supply chain planning. Manto holds a Masters of Engineering and a B.S. degree in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University.
Amin Taheri, Galaxy Programmer
Amin brings new meaning to the word “nerd.” While he’s a whiz at computer science, logical thinking and problem solving, he’s in his zone in software design. When not at his computer, he’s camping, hiking or playing the guitar. Amin earned a B.S. in Management Science, a B.A. in Mathematics from U.C. San Diego, and is completing his Master’s in Computer Science at San Diego State University.
John Cameron, Galaxy Systems Engineer
John’s an inveterate globe trotter with a passion for legendary rock concerts. He’s clapped at more than 80 Grateful Dead shows, and proudly curates a personal library of 1,000 live concert albums and CDs. Surprisingly, John’s a left-brain mathematician who thrives on solving client technical problems. He attended U.C. Santa Barbara in Math and Physics.
Kenta Tomura, Galaxy Systems Engineer
By day, Kenta is a numbers master and one of our scheduling rock stars. By night, he is a musical aficianado—writing music, playing several instruments, and even performing at venues throughout San Diego. Kenta earned his B.S. Management Science and B.A. Political Science at U.C. San Diego.
Alex Chiu, Galaxy Systems Architect
Since Alex’s childhood days in Singapore, he’s been a devotee of martial arts, boxing, and his spiritual practice. Alex manages client and partner support and training, and delivers online demonstrations. He holds a B.A. degree in Literature from University of California at San Diego (and writes killer emails).
Kimi Cañete, Marketing Manager & Partner Liaison
Kimi is the chief promoter for PlanetTogether, managing marketing projects, client communications, vendor relations and more with the balance of a high-wire artist. A true California girl, she dreams of surfing the longest wave in the world. Till then, she’s content to ride waves up and down the west coast and, as a certified surf instructor, teach the team how to SurfTogether! Kimi holds a B.A. degree in Communication from University of California San Diego.
Carolyn L. Smith, Director of Corporate Communication
Carolyn built an award-winning career in B2B/B2C marketing with 25- years’ of results for Fortune 1000, mid-size and small companies. She ran her own marketing agency, landed on Top 100 Woman-Owned Businesses in LA County; appeared on the ABC series American Inventor as a marketing consultant (her client won); served as Dir.-National Corporate Marketing for KCET Public Television; V.P. Marketing & Sales for Citicorp N.A.; V.P. Corporate Communications for Airbus Industrie. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley with B.A. in Rhetoric, Carolyn adores travel (80 countries to date), collects folk art, loves to write, learn, and read everything in sight.
Ric Lohman, Vice President of Professional Services
Throughout his 20+ year career, Ric has produced major results in information technology (IT), project management, systems design, enterprise business systems, finance and development with such major brands as Kaiser Permanente, Morrison & Foerster, Stanford University, and VISA International. A former APICS President of the Santa Barbara Chapter, Ric brings to our team a wealth of frontline experience in manufacturing and software implementation from years on the factory floor producing everything from farm tractors to heart catheters and electronic Defense Department systems. He balances his life with triathlon training, camping, playing Bridge, and home beer brewing. Ric received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Caltech and holds an MBA in international management.
Ron Votto, Sales Director
Born and raised in Philly, Ron brings a little “East Coast” flavor to Team Planet. Ron’s responsible for direct new business sales of Galaxy APS in North America. His experience with planning and scheduling software has given Ron the ability to listen to the needs of the person in front of him and then together, articulate a vision for success.
When Ron isn’t engaging with prospects he’s busy being a husband and father to his wife and five children. When there is free time it’s typically spent playing basketball, coaching youth basketball, watching basketball or reminiscing about the time Kobe Bryant, then a sophomore in high school, absolutely destroyed Ron in a pick-up game. Ron will tell you that this is the only time he’s ever accepted losing.
