SenesTech Taps E-Commerce Veteran as CEO to Scale Humane Pest Control

SURPRISE, AZ – May 07, 2026 – SenesTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNES), a company pioneering humane pest control through fertility management, has appointed Michael Edell as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. The move, effective May 6, 2026, signals a decisive strategic shift for the company, prioritizing aggressive commercial growth driven by e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales channels.

A New Era of Commercial Strategy

The appointment installs a leader with a deep background in building and scaling consumer product businesses directly into the top executive role. Mr. Edell’s expertise in e-commerce, direct-to-consumer (D2C) execution, and business-to-business (B2B) channel development is seen by the board as the critical skill set needed to propel SenesTech into its next phase of growth.

This strategic pivot comes as the company seeks to capitalize on the success of its flagship Evolve product line, a non-lethal rodent birth control bait. The board's confidence in Edell is clear, following a period where he has already demonstrated significant impact on the company's operations.

"Michael has demonstrated a highly disciplined and execution-focused approach during his time as Interim Chief Operating Officer," said Matthew Szot, who was concurrently appointed as the new Board Chair. "He brings strong operating rigor and practical experience across e-commerce, customer engagement, and sales channel development. The Board believes this is exactly what SenesTech needs as we focus on scaling revenue channels, improving conversion, and building a more predictable and durable revenue model."

The board's statement underscores a commitment to translating SenesTech's innovative science into robust and scalable revenue streams, with Szot adding, "We believe Michael is the right leader to drive disciplined commercial execution and long-term stockholder value creation."

From Interim Leader to Permanent Chief

Edell's journey to the CEO position has been a rapid ascent within the company, validating the strategy he helped architect. He began his relationship with SenesTech in mid-2025 as a consultant, tasked with evaluating the business and crafting a new commercial growth plan. By October 2025, he was appointed Interim Chief Operating Officer to oversee its implementation.

During his tenure as Interim COO, Edell spearheaded a significant operational overhaul. One of his key initiatives was the transition to directly managing Amazon sales for the Evolve brand, a move designed to enhance margins and give the company greater control over its marketing and customer data. This transition temporarily impacted fourth-quarter 2025 revenue by approximately $200,000, but the company noted that full-year revenue growth for 2025 would have been closer to 30% without this one-time adjustment.

Despite the temporary dip, the underlying performance metrics from fiscal year 2025, which ended December 31, 2025, highlight the momentum Edell's strategies have already generated. The company reported a 20% year-over-year revenue increase to $2.2 million. More tellingly, e-commerce revenue surged by 88%, accounting for more than half of the company's total revenue for the year. Gross margins also improved significantly, rising to 62.5% from 54.1% in the prior year, an improvement attributed to a better product mix and the increasing contribution from high-margin e-commerce channels.

A Digital-First Vision for Growth

In his new role, Edell plans to double down on the digital-first strategy. His priorities are clear: focus resources on high-impact commercial opportunities, sharpen sales execution, and build scalable operating processes. The company is not replacing the Interim COO role, a move that further streamlines the organizational structure.

"I appreciate the opportunity to lead SenesTech at this important stage, and I am excited about the path ahead," Mr. Edell stated. "We are placing particular emphasis on direct-to-consumer and e-commerce channels, including Amazon and our own e-commerce platform, where we believe data-driven marketing, customer education, and direct engagement can drive efficient growth."

A core component of this strategy is the expansion of recurring revenue through subscription programs, which Edell noted are "already underway and gaining traction." This model aims to create a more predictable and loyal customer base for products like Evolve. While D2C is a primary focus, the company will also continue to expand its B2B channels, targeting distributors, pest management professionals, and municipalities.

Edell also signaled plans for product line expansion, stating, "We also plan to expand the Evolve brand with additional rodent control products, further broadening our offering and strengthening our position within the category."

Tapping a Growing Market for Sustainable Solutions

SenesTech's strategic pivot is timed to coincide with a significant shift in the broader pest control market, an industry estimated at over $24 billion in 2024 and projected to exceed $40 billion by 2034. A key driver of this growth is increasing consumer and regulatory demand for sustainable, humane, and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional poisons.

SenesTech’s Evolve product is uniquely positioned to capture this demand. As the only EPA-designated minimum-risk contraceptive soft bait for rodents, it offers an effective, non-lethal solution that targets the root cause of infestations—reproduction. This makes it an attractive option for homeowners, businesses, and municipalities seeking to integrate more responsible methods into their pest management programs.

The company’s focus on execution and market expansion under Edell is designed to accelerate the adoption of this technology, moving it from a niche alternative to a mainstream component of modern pest control.

As part of the leadership transition, the board has also been realigned to support this new focus. Matthew Szot, a board member since 2015, takes over as Board Chair. Dr. Jamie Bechtel, who previously served as Board Chair and Interim Executive Chair, will continue to serve on the board, taking on leadership roles as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Chair of the Compensation Committee. This updated structure is intended to reinforce the company's commitment to operational execution, accountability, and strong corporate governance as it embarks on this new chapter of commercial growth.