Executive Leadership
Willie McKinney, Ph.D., DABT
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Willie McKinney is an established regulatory and inhalation toxicology expert with over two decades of research, product development, and regulatory strategy experience in the Consumer-Packaged Goods industry. As the founder and CEO of McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors, LLC, he leverages his extensive background, including his previous role on the FDA’s Tobacco Product Scientific Advisory Committee and his past position as Vice President of Regulatory Sciences at Altria, to guide clients through multiple constantly evolving regulatory landscapes.
Dr. McKinney’s knowledge and experience are widely respected. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health and is certified by the American Board of Toxicology. He launched McKinney Specialty Labs, LLC in January 2024 to offer specialized aerosol testing services as well as chemical and GLP toxicology analysis.
Together, McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors, LLC, and the newly established lab provide over 25 years of combined expertise in regulatory strategy, application filing, and product testing. This suite of services is customized to meet the unique needs of each client, guaranteeing integrity and quality at every step. Dr. McKinney’s leadership remains instrumental in driving scientific research and regulatory compliance forward.
Roxana Weil, Ph.D., DABT
Chief Regulatory Science Officer
Dr. Roxana Weil leads the Business Development and Scientific Engagement team and serves as Chief Regulatory Science Officer for McKinney Specialty Labs. Roxana holds a PhD in Pharmacology and Physiology from the University of Florida, a MSc and BSc in Biology from University of Waterloo, Canada. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT) with specialized expertise in human health risk assessment and toxicology, and extensive experience spanning across U.S. FDA and Global Regulatory Strategy, Organizational Development, Risk Management and Tobacco Regulatory Science and Policy. Prior to joining McKinney Specialty Labs, Roxana successfully lead and implemented JUUL Lab Inc.’s Product Integrity function and Toxicology programs, and served as a Lead Toxicologist at the U.S. FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) where she was responsible for leading an interdisciplinary team of scientists, providing science-policy recommendations and developing the scientific basis to support regulations, guidance and review of tobacco product applications via all regulatory pathways.
Clifford Russell
Chief Information Officer
Clifford Russell serves as Chief Information Officer for McKinney Specialty Labs. With 20 years of IT experience, he is skilled at leading organizational transformation in educational, government, and commercial environments. His leadership style embraces creativity and collaboration, ensuring excellence in project delivery. An innovative systems architect and expert in cloud technologies, Clifford motivates expert teams to envision, build, and support large-scale IT infrastructure. He leads organizational transformation with energy, integrity, and careful budget management.
Amy Brannan
Vice President, Strategy and Administration
Amy Brannan serves as Vice President of Strategy and Administration for McKinney Specialty Labs. Amy is an alumnus of the University of Richmond, where she received her MBA, and The Pennsylvania State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Logistics. With over 20 years of experience in the tobacco and ENDS industries, her expertise spans a wide range of areas including Human Resources, Procurement, Strategic Planning, Regulatory Affairs, and Compliance. Amy’s ability to foster collaboration among diverse groups and forge enduring relationships underscores her unwavering dedication to her field.
Hollie Barton
Senior Director, Operations
Hollie Barton serves as the Senior Director of Operations for McKinney Specialty Labs. Hollie is an alumnus of Longwood University, where she received her bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry. With over 30 years of experience in the laboratory environment, Hollie has honed her skills in strategic planning, training, supervising, and coaching. Her extensive background includes overseeing complex projects, implementing innovative solutions, and fostering a collaborative team atmosphere. Hollie’s dedication to excellence and her ability to mentor and guide her team make her an invaluable asset to McKinney Specialty Labs.
Alexei Korolev
Director, Quality Assurance