What is networking?
Dictionary.com defines the noun as: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest and the verb as: to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving to a higher position.
I take it a step further by merging the two definitions in the forming of FOCM Networking. This is a site (system) for sharing information and services among individuals who have a diverse range of interests for the purpose of helping each other more than just professionally, but also socially and financially.
What is networking?
Dictionary.com defines the noun as: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest and the verb as: to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving to a higher position.
I take it a step further by merging the two definitions in the forming of FOCM Networking. This is a site (system) for sharing information and services among individuals who have a diverse range of interests for the purpose of helping each other more than just professionally, but also socially and financially.
On March 25 of this year, FOCM member Rosina Pavia graciously opened her house for a FOCM spring social. We had a great turnout and a number of people got their FOCM membership cards.
In attendance were: Phil and June Keicher, Linda Gala, Colleen Wood, Mike Burrows, Vince Hoefling, Mike Markowitz, Mark Paul, Freddy Byrth, Bill Duval, Pete Nieto, Erich McGilvreay, Jim Phillips, Dorothy Brown and Gayle Grandinetti. A happy bunch of people for sure.
On March 25, 2015 at the Arena International Outsourcing in Clinical Trials Southeast conference held in Cary, NC two people received their FOCM Cards.
Greg Howell of Fisher Clinical Services and Maria Frane, then of Pharm-Olam and now at West Coast Clinical Trials received their membership cards. The ceremony brought the entire conference (hey, that’s how I remember it) to a stop as all eyes focused on the intensely emotional ceremony. Greg’s exuberant joy is quite visible and the photo captured Maria’s moment of realization of the momentousness of the occasion.
I also captured long-standing FOCM members Kim Martinez, Erin Tabet and Mike Jones sharing industry secrets or old ICON stories, knowing they’re protected by the FOCM Umbrella of Implied Confidentiality.
March 23 -25, 2015 found me in the Raleigh/Durham area for Arena International’s Outsourcing in Clinical Trials Southeast Conference.
On the night of March 23, a FOCM networking event was held at Rally Point Sports Bar in Cary, NC. It turned out to be the last NC FOCM event for Heather Wallace before she moved to Arizona. Heather greets Kelly O’Brien by jumping in to her arms, which Kelly handles with agility.
Chad Pollio, Kelly and I paid our respect to Kevin Boos (absent) by affecting the Boos Pose of Thoughtful Inebriation.
My good friend and FOCM member in good standing, Joanna Williams, works at Lexitas Pharma Services. They have job openings they are seeking to fill. See info below for details:
Lexitas Pharma Services, Inc. is hiring! Lexitas is an Ophthalmology-focused CRO based in Durham, NC. We are a small, dynamic company focused on partnering with our customers to provide tailored clinical operations services, and we are looking for CRAs and clinical study managers to grow our team.
CRAs can be seeking permanent or contract positions – both are available. CRAs need to have at least 2-3 years of experience, and they must have Ophthalmology experience. We are interested in expanding our contract CRA coverage on the West Coast as well as in the Midwest and Texas, but any location will be considered.
Clinical study managers need to have at least 2-3 years of experience managing clinical trials with some experience in ophthalmology. An ideal candidate will be one who is comfortable in a fast-paced, small company environment and embraces the opportunity to wear many hats. The Lexitas study managers are proactive problem solvers who take initiative to do what needs to be done to delight their customers and provide strong team leadership.
Please forward resumes to jobs@lexitaspharma.com and mention FOCM.
For more company information, please check out our website: http://www.lexitaspharma.com/
FOCM Member in good standing, Karen McPoyle heads up Data Management at Bioclinica in Audubon, PA. They are looking for Clinical Data Managers. CRO experience preferred! Only energetic, hard working, ambitious, ethical, and honest people need apply! Contact Karen.mcpoyle@bioclinica.com
If anyone knows experienced people with the same traits above in IVR/IRT arena please contact Kevin.leather@bioclinica.com
Or if you prefer, you can send resumes to me at chris@focmnetworking.com and I will get them to them.
On February 24, 2015 at the SCOPE Conference in Orlando, Laura London, an outstanding Business Development Professional received her FOCM card in a ceremony that brought tears to everyone’s eyes who witnessed it. The joy on her face is evident. At the time Laura was with WCCT, she has since joined MedPace, where FOCM is certain she is having much success.
February 5, 2015
Internet News Release
Two people received their FOCM cards in a ceremony at TasteVin Wine and Cheese in San Carlos, CA. The first, Cathy Allec has been a friend of mine since, oh do we have to get specific, well, okay, then probably since 1973. Assistimos una clase de espanol con el ensenador Jaime Sullivan a la escuela secundario Kofa.
Lillian Lim received her card that night as well. She is owner Sue Simpson’s irreplaceable wine manager.
The other picture is the FOCM window sticker in TasteVin Wine and Cheese at 890 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA as an indicator of their esteemed position on the FOCM Networking Recommended Businesses which includes a 10% discount for FOCM members.
Today my friend Peter Holthe would have been 56 years old. If you have ever read the “About FOCM” section, you’ll know how instrumental Peter was in this fun hobby of mine called FOCM Networking. It was Peter’s idea – the name, the logo and what it could be and do.
One of the things Peter loved to do was to play practical jokes on people, especially people who he felt were too uptight or pretentious. I wish I could remember some of the things he would do at his office. Actually I think we wrote some of them up and I will find them and post them.
He would have loved this picture of some friends and I documenting our support of the 1st and 2nd amendments to the US Constitution, as well as the repeal of Prohibition.
Potential new FOCM Member Mia Ella Jordan is competing for an acting slot requiring the most votes. The key is, you can vote every 12 hours. So please consider keeping a browser tab open and remain logged in. You can either create an account at Indi.com or sign in with your facebook credentials.
Well there I was in San Francisco at Arena International’s Outsourcing in Clinical Trials West Coast meeting in February of this year. The first recipient in 2015 of a FOCM Membership card was Frank Di Stefano, at the time he was with Fisher Clinical and now he is with YourWay Transport. Also receiving their cards were: Lauren Jones with Barrington James; from Fibrogen: Beth Johnson (who it turns out went to summer camp at Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott, AZ in the late 1960’s when I was there), Mairead Carney and a colleague of theirs whose name I am tracking down, FOCM members Carole Gabos and Brian Langin (we’d worked together at Quintiles), Joanne Burns (who worked at Quintiles after I had, but we knew a lot of people in common), Jim Mitchell with Bioclinica and there are 2 people whose names I need. Any help is appreciated.
