Meet Our Team

John Cooling - President/CEO

John established his career in the high purity processing component marketplace almost 30 years ago. An established industry expert in supply chain management, innovation and service, John has called the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina home since 2000.

After attending Springfield College, John worked for a regional manufacturing organization before leading the Biopharm Process Marketing organization for NalgeNunc then a Global Business Development team for Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics all following strategic acquisitions.

Favoring a smaller, more-nimble environment, he co-founded STI Components, Inc. in 2000 as a distributor and value-added reseller of highly technical, ultra-pure processing components utilized in Biotech and Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. As President, John oversaw all aspects of the business while growing STI to new heights of sales and recognition within the industry.

Following the sale of STI in 2014, and a brief retirement from October 2017 to March 2020, John embarked on a new challenge: Founding and leading Carolina Components Group, Inc. as a critical component supplier of primary and support process equipment utilized by Pharmaceutical, Biotech and Cell & Gene therapy manufacturers.

John is a devoted family man who enjoys Coaching (Football), Golf, Tennis, Fishing, Grilling and watching his kids participate in sporting activities.

Michael Walsh - VP, Finance & HR

Michael is originally from Massachusetts and obtained his bachelor's in accounting and master's in business administration from Salve Regina University, while also playing for their NCAA Men's basketball team.

He went on to serve as both Senior Analyst and Finance Manager for VWR, International before being hired as an Enterprise Analyst for Dova Pharmaceuticals.

Michael's experiences in multiple fields from accounting and finance to IT has added value to CCG and helping getting the company started. Michael joined Carolina Components Group at its founding as both VP of Finance and HR.

Geoff Swales - VP, Operations

Geoff is originally from New England, and attended both the New England Institute of Technology and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

After working for several marquee companies including Reebok and Hasbro, Geoff moved on to the Food, Dairy, Beverage and Pharmaceutical industries for value-added process components and systems for hygienic processes. His decades of experience and knowledge at STI/Avantor Fluid Handling have made Geoff a welcome addition to the founding CCG team.

Though Geoff still follows the Sox and the Patriots, he’s added the Carolina Hurricanes to his teams of choice.

Jeff Meade - SVP, Sales

Jeff received his degree in Public Relations from Appalachian State University in North Carolina, and went right into the pipes, fittings, valves, and controls industry. He then moved to STI/Avantor Fluid Handling, and handled promotion of distributive and engineered products for the Pharmaceutical & Biotech industry, working with both large scale manufacturing facilities and small start-up companies.

His versatility and knowledge made him perfect addition to the founding of CCG.

Kevin Cooling - VP, Manufacturing

Kevin attended Radford University where he got his degree in Communications and Business. He was quickly recruited by Stryker, one of the world’s leading medical technology companies, leading to his years of experience and knowledge with high purity processing components.

Leaving Stryker for STI/Avantor Fluid Handling, Kevin spent almost two decades serving as a VP Operations before joining CCG at its founding. Kevin lives in Raleigh and follows the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.

John Cote - Director, Quality

John obtained his degree in Microbiology from the University of New Hampshire and has been working in biotech and pharmaceutical quality ever since.

From Supervisor of monoclonal antibody and Tissue Plasminogen Activator production at Damon Biotech in Needham, MA, to Senior Supervisor at Wyeth Vaccines to Manufacturing Senior Scientist at Wyeth Biotech in Sanford, NC, John brought his cGMP manufacturing and quality skills and experience to STI, Inc./Avantor Fluid Handling.

John joined CCG at its founding, and brings his progressive manufacturing, quality, and regulatory management along with broad hands-on experience in all aspects of cGMP production to the CCG team.

John is a music aficionado favoring Jazz, Blues, and 60's Rock, and he favors the work of Dutch and Flemish Renaissance painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

Jim Bierwirth, Outside Sales - Contractor and Stainless Components Specialist

Jim’s knowledge and experience start with earning both a Bachelor of Science In Chemical Engineering and a Masters in Business Management. He spent almost two decades at STI/Avantor Fluid Handling, specifying and supplying stainless steel high purity products to contractors in the Bio pharm market.  His expertise with components and understanding of stainless steel product usages is invaluable.

Jim has been very active with the AFS Intercultural Program, Wake County. For over 13 years, he's has been involved with hosting students and supporting students and families.

Matt Cunningham, AVP Sales GA/FL

Matt comes to CCG with a degree in Business Management from Mount Saint Mary College in New York, and years of experience in the high purity processing component industry.

He served as the Regional Sales Manager for GEMÜ valves, and Account Manager for Fluid Flow Products in Atlanta before he came to the attention of STI/Avantor Fluid Handling.  While there, Matt served as Territory Sales Manager for the Greater Atlanta area before moving to CCG as AVP of Sales for the CCG Georgia/Florida territory.