People are the chemistry: Dan D’Agostino
At Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories, we believe that our people provide our strength. Their dedication to quality, professional competence and hard work are the key elements in the company’s success. In this regular feature, we introduce you to some of the people who have helped make Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories an industry leader.
As a Senior Specialist in the BioPharmaceutical Project Management Team, Dan D’Agostino is driven by the challenge of turning a client’s project complexities into their solution. He maintains he is fortunate and even inspired by his clients who recognize and voice their appreciation for the hard work he puts forth for them. And despite some very tricky timelines and roadblocks throughout the course of any given project, in the end, Dan gains pride knowing he’s supporting his clients help patients around the world.
What is the scope of your group? My overall department includes Project Management, Inside Business Development, and Pricing. Our Inside Business Development works on new opportunities with new clients, in addition to collaborating with our sister labs throughout Europe to further expand clients’ service options. Once established, new clients segue to the Project Management Team, who manage detailed project requirements and ensure long-term relationships are nurtured and goals are achieved on time and on budget. An essential role as a Project Manager is communication with our clients and technical teams. Serving as a vital liaison, Project Managers interact with virtually all pertinent departments serving the client. In working with my clients, I discuss new work, samples being submitted, and ongoing work currently in progress in our labs. One of my key goals is to ensure that the client’s projects are progressing and meeting their needs, as well as trouble-shooting any issues that may arise, especially before they happen. In essence, we are our client’s project champion and single point of contact between our client and the labs.
Given all of your responsibilities, how would you describe a typical workday? Our primary focus on a typical workday is to listen to our clients’ precise project needs and goals. This includes fielding new opportunities, as well as drilling down the details on work being submitted or managing projects already in-house. While working directly with the labs, as well as a variety of different technical supporting departments on behalf of our clients’ projects, we maintain open client communication via email, conference calls, and technical visits, keeping clients informed of project status every step of the way. We also have an administrative aspect of our work, which includes auditing all new materials received, document control, and working with safety to ensure that projects are labeled hazardous or non-hazardous. Although on the surface, the types of responsibilities remain the same from day to day, any given day is rarely the same, and there are often curveballs thrown by our clients which make our jobs exciting.
How would you characterize your leadership style? I am a lead by example type of person. I have always thought that as a leader, it is important to set the bar, and be the example for the people you are helping train. With growth and various changes in my department, we have had some new people join our team over the past year, and when helping a new employee, I always make sure to be the example they can look to.
During your tenure, what has changed, and what remains the same? Since I began my career here, under the premise of continuously enhancing our customer service experience, my department has undergone quite a few quality and process improvements. But the one thing that has remained constant is the fact that our managers try to make it a great working environment for employees.
How does your group’s work impact/benefit society? My group works directly with our clients on their Early to Late Phase Clinical, Commercial, and even Fast Track pharmaceuticals to ensure that their products can be released appropriately-- whether it be to the clinics, hospitals, or local drug stores. In the case of the Fast Track items, if there is an urgent need for a drug with promising results to be used on patients in Phase III, we work with the clients to ensure the testing is done in a timely manner and with the highest quality standards.
And when you’re not working? When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, which includes my wife, Koreene (who also works here in Quality Review); my son, Barrett; and our new addition, my daughter Aria. I always like to stay busy, so I enjoy doing work around my house, in addition to work around my family’s apartment buildings. During the summer, I enjoy going to the pool and beach. I also enjoy being outside whether it be hiking, kayaking, fishing, or some other outdoor activity.
