Our Executive Team
NICK YOSHIDA
President
Nick took over management of Shikosha Dental Lab from his father and Shikosha’s founder, Takeshi (Tak) Yoshida in 2011. He grew up locally, graduating from Jesuit High School, and has a BA and a MS from Columbia University. Prior to joining Shikosha, he worked as an investment banker in New York, Tokyo, and London. He finds his current job extremely fulfilling. "Who wouldn't love a job that gives people smiles?"
VADIM VAINER, CDT
Vice President of Production
Vadim has been a dental technician for over 18 years. He began his career as an apprentice, but he soon realized he had a passion for the dental arts. After earning an AAS in dental technology, he opened his own laboratory where he became an expert in all facets of dental tech - from the aesthetics of cosmetic restorations to the fast pace of digital systems, as well as the business of running it all. In his free time, Vadim is passionate about photography and often teaches classes about dental and portrait photography. Grateful for an amazing group of fellow dental technicians, he likes to participate in education and training as part of the Dental Technicians Guild.
DUKE HONG, CDT
Client Service Technical Director
Duke joined Shikosha as our Client Service Technical Director in the spring of 2024. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Duke moved to Portland when he was 18 and studied dental technology at Portland Community College and microbiology at PSU. Since graduating from PCC, Duke has worked as a Ceramist and Implant Technician at several dental labs, including Willamette Dental Lab, DFF Dental Lab, and Kaiser Dental Lab.
Duke has 35 years of experience as a technician and is an expert in Ceramist and Implant techniques as well as laboratory management. Duke is passionate about the art of dental technology and enjoys building relationships with doctors and colleagues. He likes to say that if he doesn't know the answer, he'll research until he finds it. "When we work together, nothing is impossible to solve." Away from work, Duke loves to play golf, travel, and walk his dogs in Portland's beautiful NW weather.