Gene Robertson, PhD Biographical Summary
Overview
Laboratory Operations Executive and Senior Scientist with nearly 30 years of industrial health care experience. Serving currently as VP Integration for laboratory merger activities between Creative Testing Solutions and the American Red Cross.
Experience
Vice President Integration – Creative Testing Solutions (August 2017 - Current) Creative Testing Solutions reorganized under new ownership by American Red Cross, OneBlood and Vitalant and is now responsible for testing the majority of the US blood supply. The primary duty of this new role is to serve as the integration team leader for the organization that is doubling in size from 400 to 800 team members and from 3 to 6 donor testing laboratories located in Charlotte, Tampa, St. Louis, Dallas, Phoenix and Portland.
Vice President Operations – Creative Testing Solutions (January 2010 – May 2015) Provided operational direction consistent with company values to PMO and Directors at four regional laboratories, with 400 team members, aligned with annual goals in support of organization’s mission. Created operating and financial performance metrics consistent with 3-year Strategic Planning cycles that focused on continuous improvement. Demonstrated change management leadership to achieve growth from two to four laboratories with volume increase from 30 million up to 50 million tests per year. Led organization via decision making and change management strategies through successful segregation as separate 501c3 and two associated laboratory mergers. Led team of organizational leaders at three locations through first-year launch of Operational Excellence initiative.
Vice-President Operations – Vitalant Laboratories (October 2007 –December 2009) Served as Vice-President for two regional donor testing laboratories. Provided operational direction consistent with company values to Directors at two regional laboratories, with 200 team members, aligned with annual goals in support of organization’s mission. Developed and implemented strategies to merge laboratory operations at two regional locations with volume of 30 million tests per year.
Director Operations – Vitalant Laboratories (August 1997 – September 2007) Directed operations for all Donor Testing Services (DTS) with nine operating departments including: Accessioning, Component Quality Control, Nucleic Acid Testing, Molecular Diagnostics, Test Systems Quality Control, Red Cell Serology, Viral Markers, Record Review and Special Testing. Laboratory performed blood donor screening for over 30 blood center and hospital clients with approximately 18 million tests annually.
Technical Director – Vitalant Laboratories (February 1995 – September 1997) Directed operations for all infectious disease and confirmatory testing performed at the main Viral Marker Laboratory and the Special Testing Laboratory. Viral Marker laboratory performed blood donor panel testing for 20 blood centers of approximately 8 million tests annually.
Research & Development Manager – Abbott Laboratories (September 1987- January 1995) Hepatitis and Retrovirus Business Unit R&D Program management. Managed the development of a semi-automated diagnostic and screening assay for antibodies infectious diseases. Responsibilities included project planning, critical path analysis, budgeting, extensive networking, experimental data analysis and management of up to ten staff scientists. Produced worldwide and FDA licensed blood screening assays, increasing safety of the blood supply.
Education & Certifications PhD Microbiology – Arizona State University Lean/6-Sigma Black Belt