"We believe that our customers' needs are our needs, and in today's marketplace those needs change very quickly. By fostering productive partnerships with our customers, we are able to more efficiently respond to and anticipate their requirements."

Christopher R. Calhoun
President
Norwich Pharmaceuticals

People Profiles

Christopher R. Calhoun – President
Mr. Calhoun joined Norwich Pharmaceuticals in July, 2001. Prior to joining Norwich, he was the Associate Director of Global Quality Assurance–Operations for P&G Pharmaceuticals, located in Mason, Ohio. In this role, Mr. Calhoun had Quality responsibility for systems and personnel at sites in Norwich, NY, Canada, Puerto Rico, France, and Germany. Mr. Calhoun spent 18 years with P&GP in a variety of technical and managerial roles in Product Supply, Product Development, and QA organizations. A 1984 graduate of Clarkson University, Mr. Calhoun holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He is an expert in the design and instruction of Marching Band/Drum & Bugle Corps, teaching various groups in central New York and sits on the Board of Directors of Opportunities for Chenango.

Robert S. Calabro – Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Mr. Calabro joined Norwich Pharmaceuticals in November, 2001. Prior to joining Norwich, he was the vice President of Sales & Marketing for Accra Pac Pharmaceuticals, an aerosol, liquid, and semi-solid contractor. Mr. Calabro also spent seven years as Director, Sales & Marketing for Accupac, Inc., a contractor involved in liquids and semi-solids. He is a graduate of Duquesne University with a B.A. in Business Management. Mr. Calabro is a Vietnam veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star while serving as a 1st Lieutenant. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Drug Exchange and is the Vice President.

Carolyn A. Gherardi – Vice President, Operations
Mrs. Gherardi joined Norwich Pharmaceuticals in July, 2001. Prior to joining Norwich, she was the HR Director for the P&G Pharmaceutical operation located in Norwich, New York. Mrs. Gherardi held numerous assignments over a ten-year period , all within the Norwich P&G site. These assignments covered all phases of the pharmaceutical manufacturing operation and included bulk chemical manufacturing, bottle/liquid/blister packaging, and facilities and utilities management. A 1991 graduate of Clarkson University, Mrs. Gherardi holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Brad P. LaPoint –Vice President, Finance
Mr. LaPoint joined Norwich Pharmaceuticals in July, 2001. Prior to joining , he was the Finance Manager for P&G’s Norwich operations. Mr. LaPoint spent seven years with P&G in a variety of finance roles including customer team management, capital budgeting, financial analysis and brand development. Prior to joining P&G, Mr. LaPoint served in the U.S. Air Force for nine years, during which time he received a Bachelor of Science from the Air Force Academy and worked as an intelligence analyst in the U.S. and abroad. Mr. LaPoint also graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Master’s Degree in International Business. Mr. LaPoint is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), has been involved with Junior Achievement and Leadership Chenango.

John A. Salvagno  – Vice President, Customer Service & Strategic Development
Mr. Salvagno joined Norwich Pharmaceuticals in February 2008. Mr. Salvagno brings 27 years of Pharmaceutical experience to Norwich. Prior to joining Norwich, he was Director OTC Contract Quality Operations/ North America and Puerto Rico which included World Wide responsibility for conveyed products at Johnson and Johnson’s McNeil Division. Prior to this role, Mr. Salvagno held positions as Director Quality Operations at Pfizer’s Brooklyn Operation, and Director Quality Operations for Watson Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Salvagno was also previously at the Norwich Operation of Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals for several years holding positions in Quality and Manufacturing. He began his career in R&D at Bristol Myers in Syracuse, NY. These assignments covered all aspects of solid dose, liquid, powder, and sterile manufacturing, packaging and product launch operations and site compliance. Mr. Salvagno is a 1982 graduate of LeMoyne College with a B.S. Degree in Chemistry, and is a member of the American Chemical Society.

Lisa Bryson – Vice President, Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs

Mrs. Bryson joined Norwich Pharmaceuticals in February, 2008. Prior to joining Norwich, she was the Corporate Vice President of Quality Assurance for Marietta Corporation, a contract manufacturer of pharmaceutical and personal care products, located in Cortland, NY. Lisa also held the positions of Director of QA and Laboratory Manager at Marietta. Previously, Lisa held a role as Plant Manager at Digene Diagnostics, a medical device manufacturer in Silver Spring, MD, and held Laboratory Management and Lab Scientist positions at Cornell University’s Biochemistry Section and University of Maryland’s School of Medicine where she focused on recombinant DNA and microbiology research. Mrs. Bryson holds BS and MS degrees from The Ohio State University in Biology, Biochemistry, and Animal Science.

William J. VanOrden – Director, Engineering and Technical Operations
Mr. VanOrden joined Norwich Pharmaceuticals in July, 2001. Prior to joining Norwich, he was the Technical Operations Department Manager for P&G’s Pharmaceutical operations located in Norwich, New York. Mr. VanOrden has held various Product Supply assignments over a 20-year period in the Pharmaceutical business. These assignments include roles in line management of Chemical, Manufacturing and Packaging operations, Engineering, Controls and Instrumentation, cGMP Clean Design, Validation, Project start-ups, and Site Utility and Facility management. Mr. VanOrden is a graduate of Alfred State with an AAS in Mechanical Engineering.

Douglas S. Favaloro – Director, Operations-Packaging and Logistics
Mr. Favaloro joined Norwich Pharmaceuticals in December of 2001. Prior to joining Norwich, he was General Manager for Apple Converting, a contract converting and printing company of pharmaceutical and medical device packaging. Mr. Favaloro also spent six years as the Plant Manager for Classic Pharmaceuticals, a contractor involved in liquids and solid dose manufacturing, packaging, and distribution. He worked for Sherwood Medical for four years in various medical device related production, quality assurance, and engineering positions. Mr. Favaloro holds a business focused Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Massachusetts, as well as a Master's Degree in Counseling from Colgate University. Mr. Favaloro is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and local Employee Assistance Program Provider.

Bryan A. Pierce – Director, Operations-Manufacturing
Mr. Pierce joined Norwich Pharmaceuticals in July, 2001. Prior to joining Norwich, he was Department Manager of Health, Safety, and Environment for Procter & Gamble's Pharmaceutical Operations located in Norwich, New York. Mr. Pierce has held various Product Supply assignments over his 33 year career in the Pharmaceutical business, all of which have been at the Norwich site. These assignments included management roles in Prescription and Over The Counter Manufacturing and Packaging processes, Production Maintenance, Logistics, and Organizational Development. Mr. Pierce is a graduate of Broome Community College with an AAS degree in Accounting and Business Management.

Ric Festarini – Manager, Human Resources
Mr. Festarini joined Norwich in January 2002; prior to that, Ric’s career had been spent with AstraZeneca, Zeneca, and the Imperial Chemical Industries organizations. Ric has worked in a variety of business settings and locations, ranging from manufacturing plants in Canada to Corporate Headquarters sites in the USA. With his entire career path dedicated to HR management, Ric has seen specialist roles in Labor Relations, Compensation and Benefits, as well as Generalist roles in leading the HR function for fully integrated businesses. Putting HR strategies in place to support the larger business strategy and deliver Customer Enthusiasm is his ultimate objective. Ric holds two undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry (University of Toronto) and Business (University of Windsor) and an MBA.