Quality Assurance Maintenance

Jess A. Widstrom

Objective: Find employment in a scientific field where I can provide for my family, offers good work life balance, and I can provide more value to my employer than I am paid.

Personal Strengths

I am a reliable, principle-driven person, loves to bring the best out of people, works well with others, strong mechanical aptitude, sound statistical understanding (Six Sigma Green Belt) on previous performance reviews it has been noted that I am an “innovative thinker” (received 3 awards for innovation at Cargill), have “relentless determination”, possess “strong customer focus”, and also have a “positive attitude”.

Relevant Skills & Experience

I have 9 years of personnel management, budget oversight experience, understanding with the following information: behavior-based safety programs, PLC controlled equipment, proficient with Microsoft Excel and Office Suite ELISA, IFA, HPLC, GC, AA, SDS PAGE Electrophoresis, viral ultra-purification, mammalian cell line culturing, bacterial fermentation, Vaccine Production, autoclave operation, ISO standards, USDA standards, CFR 21, research notebook maintenance, microscopy, aseptic technique, GLP’s, GMP’s, HACCP, behavior-based safety programs, PLC controlled equipment, Front end loader operation, skid steer loader operation, forklift operation, Rail car movement, proficient with Microsoft Excel and Office Suite

Professional Experience

Warehouse Maintenance – Gratton Warehouse Company, Omaha, NE December 2011- current

• Repair light fixtures, bent racking, etc

• Cleaning, sealing, repairing concrete flooring

• Upgrade safety programs (MSDS binder, scissor lift inspections, safety shower inspections)

Professional Handyman – Self Employed, Omaha, NE August 2011 – November 2011

• Framing, drywall, painting, siding repair, deck repair

• Replace light fixtures, switches, and outlets

• Fix minor plumbing issues, coloring & sealing concrete floors

Corn Protein Production Supervisor – Cargill - Blair, NE August 2008 – Feb 1, 2010

• Oversee 11 Operations Technicians in producing corn protein products in a 24/7 operation to meet safety, environmental, quality, and production goals

• Communicate production progress to the site and commercial managers, manage employee performance, support employee engagement projects, troubleshoot production problems

• Lead safety initiatives, develop needed training and procedures, assist to coordinate planned and emergency maintenance, develop business plans and department budgets

Quality Assurance Feed Specialist – Cargill - Blair, NE January 2000 – August 2008

• Oversee total quality of all feed products, manage and develop all instrument calibrations to analyze all final products and in-process feed samples including associated procedures and training, performance coaching for chemists and technicians

• Utilize science and statistics to identify the root cause of quality and production opportunities

• Work with the sales department to prevent, identify, and resolve an customer site quality issues

• Evaluate fermentation changes as it relates to feed production and safety

• Team up with operations and engineering to implement process optimization projects to improve quality, reduce costs, develop new products, and evaluate new ingredients

Quality Assurance Chemist – Cargill - Blair, NE April 1999 – January 2000

• Monitored the upstream quality parameters of all product lines and collaborated with operations to maintain quality parameters to assure final product quality, then approved all final products for shipment

• Worked on optimization projects with the refinery operations to improve enzyme costs, performed microbial analysis on samples

• Utilized HPLC, GC, AA, pH, refractometers, and many other types general lab equipment

Vaccine Product Development Technician – Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, IA May 1997 – March 1999

• Maintain cell lines for growth and viral production studies in small flasks, roller bottles, spinner bottles, and bioreactors

• Complete agreed upon well documented research studies to enhance vaccine production

• Lead studies in the pilot production phase and perform all needed processing, purification, testing, and documentation to support new vaccine product development

• Perform in process testing and final product testing for research studies which included: ELISA, SDS-PAGE, IFA, other general physiological assays

• Assist with bacterial fermentations and processing as needed

• Troubleshoot viral production problems and train union workers on proper procedures

• Work with other departments and personnel to share equipment

Construction & Landscaping worker – Terry Grimlie Construction and Landscaping, Brookings, SD Sept 1994 – March 1996

• Lead lawn mowing crew of 2-3 people

• Install windows, siding, framing, and drywall.

• Construct decking and playgrounds

Farmhand – Widstrom Family Farm, Hecla, SD Sept 1987 - Sept 1994

• Operating, maintaining, repairing all machinery (tractors, trucks, swathers, combines, trailers, augers, mowers)

• Fixing fences, feeding and working with cattle, hogs, & chickens

• Hauling grain and bales

Education

Bachelors of Science in Environmental Management – South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 1997

• Minor in Soils

Bachelors of Science in Microbiology – South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 1997

• Minor in Chemistry

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