Core Team

Lun Ho

Lun Ho, Ph.D.

Principal

Lun has broad experience consulting with major Fortune 500 companies, R&D organizations, and education institutions, focusing on data gathering, mining, and analysis, and translating information into actionable strategies. Lun is an expert in designing, formulating and leading technology and market-focused strategic analysis, and has successfully led research in the following technical areas/verticals: advanced/nano materials, thin films/coatings, ceramics/composites, specialty chemicals, biotechnology, medical devices, utilities, alternative energy, control systems, smart grids, smart buildings, safety & security, intelligent transportation, compound semiconductors, electronics, telecommunications, automotive, and aerospace.

Prior to founding Adjacent Analytics, Lun was the Research Fellow at ORC International and an inventor at the 3M Company. Lun has a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT and has been providing technology and market-focused strategic consulting to Fortune 500 companies for over 20 years.

Charles Osborne

Principal, Raven Road Advisors

Recently retired as EVP/CFO of Fair Isaac Corporation, headquartered in Minneapolis, Charles "Chuck" Osborne remains active with several boards, including a private equity investment firm.

Originally trained in accounting, finance, and tax law, Chuck spent six years with the firm Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte), followed by 30 years of executive leadership roles at Deluxe Corporation, Graco, Ovation Telecom, McLeodUSA, and Fair Isaac. During one of his “breaks” from corporate finance work, he served as CFO of the University of Minnesota Foundation, and was a founding board member of the U of M Biotech Incubator.

Chuck’s expertise and experience touch nearly every area of corporate finance, including financial reporting and controls, tax, treasury, M&A analysis and valuation, and investor relations.

Paul Antol

Paul Antol, Ph.D. Principal Analyst

Paul has been a technology consultant for 15 years, supporting technology-focused companies in the chemical, nanotechnology, energy, aviation, manufacturing, biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. Paul is an expert in retrieving and analyzing technical literature, patent records (e.g., prior art, freedom to operate, & infringement), chemical analysis and synthesis, molecular structures, toxicology, formulation, physicochemical properties, and related information.

Prior to his consulting career, Paul spent 10 years in the aerospace industry as an aeromedical and human factors engineer in R&D as well as an industrial and occupational safety and health specialist. Paul worked on the integration of new escape and breathing systems in high-performance aircraft as well as the development of a new and novel acceleration protection garment for military pilots.

Paul has a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees in Biomedical Engineering from Iowa State University, and three years of postdoctoral work in Thoracic Diseases Research at the Mayo Clinic.

Karen Ho

Karen L. Ho

Vice President

Karen is a seasoned business leader with over 20 years of leadership experience in the financial industry. She has successfully led strategy development and implementation of multi-discipline enterprise-wide initiatives, including: technology, marketing, compliance, and organizational structure. Known for her creativity and analytical mindset, she is skilled at formulating customer-centric strategies that aim at enhancing customer experience to drive customer loyalty and company's long-term growth.

Karen has held a number of key leadership positions with Ameriprise Financial, including: Vice President at the Executive Office, Director of Brokerage Phone Operations, and Director of Licensing & Field Compensation Services. In addition, Karen is active in the community. Currently, she is a member of the Board of Directors of Tamarisk, a non-profit organization that provides non-medical companion support to people facing terminal illnesses. She also volunteers her time at the Minnehaha Academy.

Karen has a bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. She is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and holds both FINRA Series 7 and 24 registrations.