ISPE-CaSA 2021 Life Sciences Technology Conference
 
 
 
 
 
Keynotes
 
"Leading Ladies in Industry - A Panel Discussion"

 

 
"The Board's Point of View - A Panel Discussion"
 
The keynote presentations will take place following the 
 Opening Remarks at 8:30am on March 9 and 10.


 
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Megan Arnold
Project Manager
CRB
Megan Arnold is a construction Project Manager at CRB with integrated project delivery experience on fast-track chemical and biologics manufacturing projects up to $200MM. Her 14 years of experience have encompassed cost control, planning, scheduling and change management. As Project Controls Lead, she brings a particular focus for Target Value Delivery to ensure projects remain on budget. Megan led the Takt planning efforts for a $120MM fast-track renovation, utilizing her skills with planning and construction sequencing.
 
Vidhi Bhanderi
Validation Specialist
PharmEng Technology
Vidhi Bhanderi, is a recent graduate from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. In March 2020, right at the start of quarantine, she began working for PharmEng Technology as a Validation Consultant. In the year since, she’s had to adapt to the changing guidelines and establish a flexible schedule and SMART goals to build the confidence needed to successfully complete her work. She is incredibly eager to share her experience with everyone and would love to answer any questions!
 
Justin Blackwelder
Project Services Manager
PCI
With PCI, Mr. Blackwelder manages analytical laboratory programs, performs ongoing calibration and full asset management services and leads multifunctional teams for PCI clients in the Life Sciences industry. He focuses on doing a job right the first time while providing as much additional support as needed to help make the client operations run more smoothly with the right resources, in a timely and professional manner, and within scope.
 
Shannon Chase
Senior Project Manager
CRB
Shannon Chase is an Associate and Senior Project Manager at CRB specializing in the biotechnology industry with a proven track record of managing capital projects from conceptual design through construction. During her 20+-year career with CRB, she has directed intricate process-driven facilities and managed large greenfield projects upwards of $200MM. Shannon brings a strong technical focus, a deep sense of commitment and drive to her projects, setting the pace for her teams. Naturally focused on project metrics, she strives to achieve the best outcomes for her project teams and clients. Her ability to form solid relationships creates an environment focused on innovation and excellence.
 
Jennifer Lauria Clark
Executive Director of Strategic Development
Commissioning Agents, Inc.
Jennifer Lauria Clark, CPIP is the Executive Director of Strategic Development for CAI, where she is responsible for strategic global business development and our relationship management program. She has over 18 years of experience in regulated industries. Previously she held positions as a consultant where she provided services for Merck, BD, GSK, Biogen and others. Jennifer Lauria Clark has been a Member of ISPE for more than 18 years and actively involved in the Society's local and international activities. She is a Past President of the ISPE CaSA Chapter, is a Past Chair of ISPE’s Young Professionals Committee, a Past Chair of ISPE’s Annual Meeting Planning Committee and currently is the Chair for the Women In Pharma® Steering Committee. Jennifer Lauria Clark also finished a four-year stint as a Director on the ISPE International Board. She has a degree in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University. Jennifer Lauria Clark earned her ISPE CPIP designation in 2012.  She is currently working towards her MBA in the Poole College of Management at NC State University. Jennifer’s passion is people and her family.  She enjoys spending time to get to know individuals and help solve their problems.  She has a global network of mentors, teammates, colleagues, and friends who help her succeed in today’s business world.  Jennifer is a champion for students and young professionals trying to find their way in industry.  Jennifer’s global experience has given her the ability to work with others, share stories, and see the world a little bit differently.
 
Kelli Collin
Vice President, Head of Quality
Shattuck Labs
Kelli is the Vice President, Head of Quality at Shattuck Labs, taking on this role in January of 2021. Previously, she was the Executive Director of Quality Assurance at Liquidia Technologies, leading the quality department for GMP, GCP and GLP operations. She has over 17 years of experience in quality assurance, covering all aspects of the pharmaceutical product lifecycle. She was recognized by Quality Progress as part of the Fresh Faces Class of 2016 for her contributions for the field of Quality. Her professional and academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Engineering and a Masters of Bioinformatics from North Carolina State University. She also holds a graduate certificate in Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Law & Compliance from Seton Hall Law School. She is certified by the American Society for Quality as a Certified Quality Manager/Operational Excellence (CMQOE), and a Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Professional (CPGMPP). She has served the Raleigh section of ASQ as the Membership Chair, Scholarship and the Section Chair.
 
Darren Dasburg
CBO
CRISPR Biotechnologies
Bringing over 40 years experience in a variety of small and large molecule settings, Darren Dasburg is currently an Executive in Residence at NC State assisting two start ups while consulting as a cell and gene subject matter expert for the industry.   Prior to this, Darren served as Vice President Global PMO & Strategy for AstraZeneca after his role as Site GM for the Boulder Manufacturing Center beginning in September 2015 when AstraZeneca/MedImmune acquired the former Amgen biologics production facility, retrofitted and started up through 2017.  Previously, Darren held the position of Vice President MedI BioVentures building partnerships in Korea, Japan and China for biosimilar development. Before then, VP of Capacity Utilization with where he led the first of its kind capacity sharing arrangement to support bio-manufacturing production. Prior to that, he was a Founding Partner in a consulting venture where he provided executive management team leadership in the areas of technical operations, manufacturing operations, project management, and business strategy. Darren did his formative years and ultimately served as Vice President of Corporate Engineering with GlaxoSmithKline.  Darren holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University and a MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and advanced certificates in biotechnology from MIT. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina and has worked on the ISPE Bio Mfg Conference since it’s inception.
 
Haley Durbin
Manufacturing Systems & Compliance Consultant
Sequence, Inc.
Haley Durbin is a Manufacturing Systems & Compliance Consultant with Sequence Inc. in Morrisville, NC. Her team provides clients facility, utility, equipment, and automation qualification services to meet both regulatory requirements and client standards. Haley studied Bioprocessing Science at NC State University where she first joined ISPE and served as student chapter President. Currently, Haley serves as the Emerging Leaders Chair for ISPE-CaSA.
 
Les Edwards
VP Technology & Bus Dev
SKAN US
Les Edwards is currently Vice President of Technology and Business Development and has been at SKAN since 2011. In addition to his sales and business development role, he provides critical support to launch new products into the market. Les was active in the early development of “VHP” technology in the 1990s and then worked in Sterile Process Engineering for over 20 years supporting dozens of aseptic biotech and fill-finish projects in the US and Europe in various technical roles from engineering, quality, regulatory affairs and executive management. Les has spoken and written many times as a subject matter expert in Aseptic Processing, Isolation and Containment Technologies and H2O2 based sterilization. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering and a Master’s Degree in Technology Management, both from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia.
 
Leigh Formanek
Director of Construction and Project Services; US Lean Leader
DPS Group
Leigh’s career in the Engineering and Construction industry spans over 20 years and is recognized in the Biotech, Pharmaceutical, Power, and Manufacturing industries as being a problem solver and a dedicated leader in Project Controls and Project Management. He brings over 20 years of office and field experience working for Fortune 500 Companies as an Owner, Self-Perform Contractor, and Construction Manager on programs and projects ranging from $10k to an excess of $1B. Leigh is an avid supporter and participant in Lean and LCI programs in the U.S. and is a designated Lean Leader as part of DPS’ proposed team to Merck. Leigh’s expertise and experience in leading DPS pre-construction and project controls services (procurement, estimating, cost, and scheduling) will provide specialized value and benefit to our Managed Services team and program.
 
Daniela Gracey
Project Manager
CRB
Daniela Gracey is a construction Project Manager at CRB with 13 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing industries providing support including project management, cost engineering, turnover management, development and execution of commissioning documents. Daniela is a Last Planner® System (LPS) champion and has led the implementation of lean tools of LPS, Target Value Delivery and Takt planning on various integrated project delivery projects up to $200MM.
 
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Wendy Haines
Associate Director of Technical and Scientific Services
PharmEng Technology
Dr. Wendy Haines is the Associate Director of Technical and Scientific Services at PharmEng Technology and has over 20 years of toxicology experience in both the research and biopharmaceutical arenas, encompassing process design, analysis, validation, project/protocol management and scientific writing. She has BS Degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences & Biology from Campbell University, PhD in Toxicology from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and is a board-certified toxicologist (Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology, DABT) and a Certified Quality Auditor (ASQ CQA). Dr. Haines has impacted human health laws at Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) starting in 1997, worked on the Genome Project between EPA and National Institute of Health (NIH), and later conducted her PhD at EPA performing directed research for the Office of Pesticides of EPA. Wendy was a study director and acted as single point of contact for all aspects of a study; oversaw both in vivo (classical and transgenic animal models) and in vitro (primary and immortalized cell lines) experimental studies for both commercial clients and the National Toxicology Program (NTP). In addition to being a study director and research toxicologist, Wendy oversaw formulations for the Investigative Toxicology Division at Integrated Laboratory Systems (ILS) in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina. Wendy moved from a contract laboratory setting to a consultant company providing validation, project management, and toxicological services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers. In the 9 as a consulting toxicologist and project manager to drug manufacturers, she became a subject matter expert (SME) in computer system validation. Dr. Haines has conducted close to 250 product toxicology safety assessments for contract manufacturers and provides guidance on extractable and leachable projects, product testing, worker safety programs, and expert testimony. Wendy has been a member of ISPE for more than 25 years and is a Past President of the CaSA ISPE Chapter.
 
Mone't Johnson
Director of Operations, Mid-Atlantic Region
CAI
Mone’t Johnson is a compassionate leader with over 10 years of experience in continuous improvement, commissioning, project management, instrumentation, maintenance, automation and controls.  She has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Master’s of Science Degree in Manufacturing Operations.
 
Bruce Klopfenstein
Director of CQV
DPS Group
Bruce has over 30 years of experience as a program, project, engineering and commissioning & qualification manager for medical device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing organizations. His hands-on experience includes managing engineering and maintenance departments for pharmaceutical/medical device manufactures. Bruce also develops and manages efforts for plant and corporate quality systems, validation master plans, software validation, compliance strategies including ASTM Risk-Based and ISPE baseline, commissioning plans, construction turnover, change controls and protocol development and execution. Bruce’s automation experience includes programming PLC’s, DCS’s and SCADA systems. As the Director of CQV, Bruce is developing the DPS Cary team’s CQV department to provide full EPCMV services to any DPS client.
 
Gilad Langer
Industry Practice Lead
Tulip
Dr. Langer is an accomplished business leader with 25+ years of experience in IT, automation and engineering services delivery, technical operations, business development and sales. He has deep domain expertise in Digital Technologies and Manufacturing Business Systems (IIoT, Big Data, AI, MES, MI, PLM, QMS, DCS, & SCADA). He has an accomplished track record of Digital Transformation to drive high levels of operational performance in manufacturing industries with a specific focus in the regulated Life Sciences industries (pharma, biotech, & med device). He has also served as trusted adviser and business consultant in the areas of technology directions, industry strategy, and software implementations. His focus and passion is next generation (Pharma 4.0) digital technologies and IIoT for manufacturing. Dr. Langer started his career in academia, researching concepts and architectures for agile manufacturing systems using emerging technologies such as multi agent systems and novel concepts that were the archetype for Industry 4.0 and Industrial IoT. He takes a systematic and strategic approach that he has honed throughout his career in different roles including consulting, sales, marketing, product strategy, project management, software development and implementation, and research.
 
Melissa Luck
People and Organization Manager
Novartis
Melissa Luck is the People & Organization Manager at the Novartis Gene Therapies site based in Durham, NC. Before joining Novartis Gene Therapies, Melissa worked in the Human Resources department at Duke Healthcare for 4 years, supporting several specialty clinics for all HR functions. Prior to that, Melissa worked for a Clinical Research Organization in RTP for 2 years providing HR support to local employees, specializing in onboarding and HRIS.  Melissa’s career started off working for a psychiatric hospital in the Quality Management department and soon transitioned to Human Resources as a Salary Administration Specialist. In total, Melissa has 9+ years of broad-based Human Resources experience. Melissa holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration from North Carolina State University, concentrating in Human Resources.
 
Charlie Maher
Project Director
Resilience, Inc.
Charlie recently joined National Resilience, Inc. as the Project Director for the construction and startup of Resilience’s viral vector contract manufacturing facility in Marlborough, MA.  Previously, Charlie served as the Global Director of Process and Manufacturing Technology at CAI where he enabled life science firms achieve ambitious goals for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products, particularly ATMP products. He led strategic technology transfer and site start-up programs, delivering all aspects of operational readiness to achieve equipment qualification, process validation, regulatory approval, vertical startup, and continuous improvement.  Earlier in his career, Charlie served in the submarine force of the United States Navy where he commanded a nuclear-powered submarine and was the Chief of Staff of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, the Navy’s R&D facility for undersea weapon systems.
 
Rick Mineo
Operations Director - North America
Kneat
Prior to joining Kneat, Rick was the founder and President of Encova Consulting, a Division of PCI.  Rick provides extensive technical engineering and validation consulting support to his customers.
 
Alma Montemayor
Director of Project Development; ISPE-CaSA 2021 Technology Conference Chair
Flad Architects
An experienced and passionate relationship builder, Alma Montemayor has a keen talent for sparking team synergy – how to thoughtfully bring together the right people to cultivate mutually-beneficial relationships that foster both immediate and long-term success for science & technology clients, partners, and Flad. She keeps her finger on the pulse of the southeast market and approaches her work with enthusiasm as she collaborates with teammates to uncover new opportunities and ensure that clients' concerns are addressed.
 
Tolga Musa
Director of Manufacturing
Biogen
Tolga Musa is an accomplished technical & operations leader at Biogen with 25 years of industry experience in multiple aspects of support and leadership for pharmaceutical / biotechnology manufacturing, including process equipment & automation systems, compliance / validation, and production oversight.  Tolga is currently Director of Manufacturing for the SSM (Small Scale Mfg) facility and the FVM (Flexible Volume Mfg) facility and is a member of the Site Leadership Team at the Biogen manufacturing site in Research Triangle Park, NC.
 
Jennifer Popovich
Director, Validation
Mayne Pharma
Jennifer Popovich is currently the Director of Validation at Mayne Pharma where she leads a team of 12 employees who perform validation activities and where she continues to update the process validation program to align with current industry and regulatory guidelines. Jennifer graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and began her career with Catalytica at the Greenville, NC site in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients division in 1998. During her time working in the API division, she held roles in both Validation and Quality. In 2004, API operations was closed at the Greenville, NC site and Jennifer transitioned to Oral Solid Dose Validation with DSM Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Later, Jennifer’s career took her to Sandoz in Wilson, NC where she acquired experience in project management, technical services, and validation program development. In December 2012, Jennifer returned to solid dose manufacturing validation at Patheon – Greenville, NC as Manager of the OSD Validation department. In 2018, Jennifer became the Continued Process Verification Program Manager, working at Patheon, a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific. While working there, she worked with corporate Patheon and the Patheon global network to create the overall CPV corporate guideline and program as a key member of the CPV Core Team before leaving for her position at Mayne Pharma in January 2019.
 
Michael Principato
Process Engineer
bluebird bio
Michael Principato is an experienced Chemical Engineer with over 10 years experience in sterile manufacturing of Biological products, at Biogen, Ajinomoto, Ascendia Pharma and Bluebird bio.  His experience has ranged through Upstream and Downstream operations for Monoclonal Antibody production and Gene Therapies.  Has also worked in drug product Final Formulation and Tablet Encapsulation suites.  Michael has worked on various products at lifecycle stages from Validation through Commercial Production, marketed worldwide.
 
Geoffrey Ramsay
Sr. Manager, Validation
Patheon, by ThermoFisher Scientific
Geoffrey Ramsay is a pharmaceutical professional from Thermo Fisher Scientific/Patheon with 20+ years of Bio/Pharmaceutical experience in Technical Operations (Engineering, Validation, and Quality). Geoffrey is currently the Senior Manager of Quality Systems and Compliance at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s DP site (OSD and Sterile) in Greenville, NC, where he leads a team responsible for Validation Oversight, Quality Risk Management, Document Control, Data Integrity, and Audits and Inspections. Geoffrey is also responsible for driving improvements to align with Corporate Standards through Continuous Improvement and Global initiatives.
 
Tanya Sharma
Partner
Assurea, LLC
Tanya Sharma is the co-founder of ASSUREA LLC  and has been supporting clients in emerging markets and emerging  technologies. Her background is in Data Integrity, Computer system validation, and blockchain assurance. Through her projects, she has been leading several initiatives in Data Integrity and Blockchain. Tanya is the International mentor circle leader for Women in Pharma and programming chair. She supports the network globally with various activities in the network. Tanya has a degree in Bioprocessing science from North Carolina State University.
 
Monique Sprueill
Senior Manager, Strategy, Insights & Innovation, Enterprise Quality Strategy & Services
Johnson & Johnson
Monique Sprueill, CMQ-OE, PMP has 19 years of experience in commercialization, supplier quality management, process improvement, product launches and systems implementation. She is a Sr. Manager of Strategy, Insights & Innovation at Johnson & Johnson. She utilizes her background in Biologics, Combination Products and Consumer Goods to provide strategic support for cross-functional teams within the J&J Supply Chain. Prior to joining J&J, Monique's career included positions at Novartis, Bristol Myers-Squibb, Sanofi and Ernst & Young (EY). She led teams that successfully performed technology transfer, continuous improvement, routine operations and consent decree remediation projects. She has also worked as an Advisory Consultant, enabling teams to benchmark current processes, define future state and create roadmaps for transformation. Monique holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a M.S. in Engineering Management from New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). She is also an ASQ Certified Manager of Quality -Organizational Excellence (CMQ-OE) and Project Management Professional (PMP). She is a member of the ISPE Foundation Board, NJIT Industrial Advisory Board (Chemical & Materials Engineering), ISPE NJ Executive Board and Parental Drug Association (PDA).
 
Sylvie St-Martin
VP, Quality Assurance
Medicago
Sylvie St-Martin, VP Quality Assurance at Medicago since September 2020 I joined Medicago in 2016 as a Quality Assurance Director for the Québec site. Now as Medicago’s VP of Quality, my role is to support all QA functions, which includes not only the GMP activities but also the pre-clinical, clinical and pharmacovigilance activities (GLP, GCP, GVP). One of my main goals at this time, is to support Medicago in turning an important corner, that is becoming a commercial biotech company. Throughout my 20 years of experience in biopharmaceutical, I have worked for small and large pharmaceutical companies, Biochem Vaccines, Shire, ID Biomedical and GSK and mainly in quality; however, I also worked in operations (live virus and aseptic operations) and development (cell culture). I have led and supported teams in implementing departments during major reorganization, managing regulatory inspections (for 10 years) and obtaining compliance approvals from different countries. My academic path is one of Science and education, where I acquired a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology as well as an education and teaching certificate, both from Laval University in Québec city.
 
Rich Stanfield
Vice President, North America; ISPE-CaSA President
Commissioning Agents, Inc.
Rich Stanfield is CAI’s Vice President, North America. He has over 20 years of experience managing projects worth several million dollars and leading people in industry and in the US Navy. Rich has been active in the CaSA Chapter since 2011 and currently sits on the ISPE-CaSA Chapter Board of Directors as President. Rich lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife of 35 years this month.
 
Anthony Thatcher
US Head - Manufacturing Support and Technology
Cellectis
Tony Thatcher started his career in cell therapy working at Dendreon in 2001. He spent over 14 years there, moving from Manufacturing Associate to Sr. Manager of Technical Services, helping develop and launch the first commercial cell therapy, Provenge. Anthony then moved for a short time to a small pharmaceutical manufacturer, Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, but returned soon after to cell therapy joining Novartis's Cell and Gene Therapy group as a Tech Transfer Lead. Over his 4 years at Novartis he was promoted to head the Manufacturing Science and Technology team supporting the final stages of development and launch of the first gene-edited cell therapy for Leukemia and Lymphoma, Kymriah. Anthony joined Cellectis in April of 2019 and is excited to be a part of the next generation of cell therapies, heading the Manufacturing Support and Technology team at Cellectis’s Raleigh NC Manufacturing Facility. Tony holds a B.S. in Biology from Gonzaga University and an M.B.A. with a focus on Supply Chain from Rutgers Business School
 
Emily Thompson
Senior Process Specialist, Associate
CRB
Emily Thompson, PE is a Senior Process Specialist, ATMP SME, and Associate at CRB, specializing in biological process and facility design. Over the last 18 years working in the biotechnology industry, she has gained expertise in designing facilities for monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and cell and gene therapy production, both in stainless steel and single-use. Emily’s facilities experience includes all phases of process design, including master planning, conceptual and detailed design, construction services and equipment procurement. Emily is a specialist in process simulation and modeling and experienced in a number of different software programs. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Emily holds two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. She is also a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of North Carolina.
 
Christine Vannais
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnologies
Christine E. Vannais – Chief Operating Officer at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies site in North Carolina, since April 2020. Christine joined FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies family in 2012 and she has led the North Carolina Manufacturing Operations team since 2014 as part of the Site Leadership Team. In this role she has been responsible for the site’s 24/7 manufacturing operations, which include cGMP production in both microbial and mammalian systems, for clinical and commercial drug substance delivery. In this role, Mrs. Vannais is responsible for the site quality compliance and delivery, with the support of the Quality Organization. Mrs. Vannais brings over twenty years of experience working in a variety of industries including contract biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing, USDA biological vaccine manufacturing and research, FDA and EU small molecule manufacturing, primary and secondary packaging operations, API potent compound manufacturing, Department of Defense sites, among others. She has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health from Colorado State University. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies an industry-leading Biologics Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with locations in Teesside, UK, RTP, North Carolina, College Station, Texas and Hillerod, Denmark. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies has over thirty years of experience in the development and manufacturing of recombinant proteins, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, among other large molecules, viral products and medical countermeasures expressed in a wide array of microbial, mammalian, and host/virus systems. For more information, go to: www.fujifilmdiosynth.com
 
Michelle Vuolo
Quality Practice Lead
Tulip
Michelle currently leads the Quality Practice at Tulip Interfaces, Inc, who develops and sells a frontline operations platform where manufacturers of many industries can build digital content to manage their operations. Before joining Tulip Michelle spent over 24 years in the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries in many different roles ranging from QC laboratory, engineering technical support, Quality Assurance management and Computerized Systems Compliance. Michelle has a strong understanding of the needs of the life sciences industry and is now motivated and driven to evolve stagnant ways of meeting compliance requirements, especially as it relates to the 4.0 world. "My main mission is to stay current in our ever changing world. Staying current means to be outwardly active, remain open to evolution, and seek efficient, effective means to meeting needs in new ways.
 
Max Webber
Manager, Automation Engineering
NNE
Max Webber is a Senior Consultant and the manager of the Automation Engineering department at NNE. With 20 years of experience in mechanical, industrial and chemical engineering, Max has spent the last decade challenging the status-quo within the pharmaceutical industry, adopting and implementing technologies infrequently used within the industry.
 
Wes Wheeler
President, UPS Healthcare, UPS
UPS
Wes Wheeler is President of UPS’s global Healthcare and Life Sciences (HCLS) unit. UPS’s HCLS unit provides extensive supply chain management, cold chain, clinical trials, global transportation and other critical healthcare service operations. It includes Marken, Polar Speed, and the company’s 114 healthcare-dedicated facilities.  Wheeler joined UPS as part of the company’s acquisition of Marken in 2016. He started his career as a project manager for Exxon Research and Engineering. Since then, he has served in numerous leadership positions including vice president of marketing, senior vice president of global manufacturing and supply at Glaxo (now GlaxoSmithKline) and as CEO /President at four companies, including Patheon, Valeant, DSM Pharmaceuticals and Marken. Wheeler joined Marken as CEO in 2011.  During his 40-year professional career, he has been involved in every key functional area in pharmaceuticals, including manufacturing, drug development, supply chain logistics, marketing, and engineering.  Wheeler has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He has two adult children and currently lives in North Carolina.
 
Daniel Williams
Regional Project Director, Americas
GlaxoSmithKline
Dan Williams is a Global Projects Director for GlaxoSmithKline, responsible for capital project planning and delivery across North America and western Europe.   Dan supports Steriles, BioPharm, and Respiratory investment categories including New Product Introductions for Global Pharma Supply.   Dan is also responsible for creating a companywide project delivery process for large capital projects using an established Project Management Framework with a proven roadmap and stage gate reviews.   The new framework delivers projects more efficiently by using streamlined Contracting Strategies such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and technologies such as BIM and reusable designs.