Leadership Committee
Emile Najm (845) 639-3622
Section Chair, Membership Chair - NEQC Representative
Emile Najm is a Mechanical Engineer, an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB). Emile currently is a Sr Product Engineer at Aptargroup, a solution provider for innovative and proven spray, aerosol, and lotion dispensing system. Emile has been a member of ASQ since 2005, and joined the ASQTZ board in 2009.
Section Chair, Membership Chair - NEQC Representative
Emile Najm is a Mechanical Engineer, an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB). Emile currently is a Sr Product Engineer at Aptargroup, a solution provider for innovative and proven spray, aerosol, and lotion dispensing system. Emile has been a member of ASQ since 2005, and joined the ASQTZ board in 2009.
Kathy Ottinger
Secretary
Kathy Ottinger is a senior member of ASQ and is an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA). She has been a member of the ASQ Tappan Zee Section since 2004 and previously held the Membership Chair. Kathy has experience in managing internal audits and various quality systems. Currently a QA Compliance Specialist at Instrumentation Laboratory and previously worked at formerly Wyeth and Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, NY within Purchasing, Consumer Health and Training. Kathy has a BS Degree in Business.
Secretary
Kathy Ottinger is a senior member of ASQ and is an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA). She has been a member of the ASQ Tappan Zee Section since 2004 and previously held the Membership Chair. Kathy has experience in managing internal audits and various quality systems. Currently a QA Compliance Specialist at Instrumentation Laboratory and previously worked at formerly Wyeth and Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River, NY within Purchasing, Consumer Health and Training. Kathy has a BS Degree in Business.
Jan Michael Gonzales
Treasurer
Jan Michael Gonzales is a Data Manager in Pfizer Vaccines Research & Development located in Pearl River, NY currently working in the Data Management and Logistics group. He has more than 14 years of experience and extensive knowledge in pharmaceutical and biotech quality assurance and compliance. He has been a member of ASQ Tappan Zee since 2012 and obtained an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) certification in the same year. He also worked in cosmetic Quality Assurance for Kiehl’s Inc and L’Oreal USA based in West Caldwell, NJ and in solid dosage pharmaceutical Quality Assurance for Par Pharmaceutical, Barr Laboratories and Halsey Drug Company. Jan earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Manhattan College and completed his Masters in Pharmaceutics from Long Island University, Brooklyn. He also obtained a Certificate of Advance study in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs from Lehigh University.
Treasurer
Jan Michael Gonzales is a Data Manager in Pfizer Vaccines Research & Development located in Pearl River, NY currently working in the Data Management and Logistics group. He has more than 14 years of experience and extensive knowledge in pharmaceutical and biotech quality assurance and compliance. He has been a member of ASQ Tappan Zee since 2012 and obtained an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) certification in the same year. He also worked in cosmetic Quality Assurance for Kiehl’s Inc and L’Oreal USA based in West Caldwell, NJ and in solid dosage pharmaceutical Quality Assurance for Par Pharmaceutical, Barr Laboratories and Halsey Drug Company. Jan earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Manhattan College and completed his Masters in Pharmaceutics from Long Island University, Brooklyn. He also obtained a Certificate of Advance study in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs from Lehigh University.
Katherine Tsetsekos
Audit Chair
Katherine Tsetsekos is an Audit Manager at Pfizer Inc. in Pearl River, NY. Ms. Tsetsekos has 15 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She is an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and currently works as an internal pharmaceutical and supplier auditor. Her experience includes stability testing and management, aseptic processing, compliance, quality assurance and auditing. Katherine holds a BS in Biology from Cornell University. She has been a member of ASQ Tappan Zee since 2004.
Audit Chair
Katherine Tsetsekos is an Audit Manager at Pfizer Inc. in Pearl River, NY. Ms. Tsetsekos has 15 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She is an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and currently works as an internal pharmaceutical and supplier auditor. Her experience includes stability testing and management, aseptic processing, compliance, quality assurance and auditing. Katherine holds a BS in Biology from Cornell University. She has been a member of ASQ Tappan Zee since 2004.
Nalukui Mwisiya
Programs Chair/Publicity Chair
Nalukui Mwisiya is currently Senior QA auditor at PAR Pharmaceutical, Spring Valley, NY. She is an Organic Chemist with strong GMP an Scientific Sourcing Background. She has over 30 years experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry of which 23 were in Chemical Development as a Chemist and Scientific Sourcing Lead with Wyeth (now Pfizer) in Rouses Point, NY and Pearl River, NY.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK), Master of Science in Pharmacy major Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona and an MBA, Finance from Long Island University, Orangeburg, NY.
She has been a member of ASQ since 2012 and is a Certified Quality Auditor.
Programs Chair/Publicity Chair
Nalukui Mwisiya is currently Senior QA auditor at PAR Pharmaceutical, Spring Valley, NY. She is an Organic Chemist with strong GMP an Scientific Sourcing Background. She has over 30 years experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry of which 23 were in Chemical Development as a Chemist and Scientific Sourcing Lead with Wyeth (now Pfizer) in Rouses Point, NY and Pearl River, NY.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK), Master of Science in Pharmacy major Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona and an MBA, Finance from Long Island University, Orangeburg, NY.
She has been a member of ASQ since 2012 and is a Certified Quality Auditor.
Linda Sroka (973) 248-6328
Recertification Chair
Linda Sroka recently was a Senior Manager of Quality Assurance, Americas at Celgene Corp., in Basking Ridge, NJ. She has over 30 years experience in pharmaceutical and veterinary manufacturing as well as global compliance and quality management. Linda has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from West Virginia Wesleyan College and currently holds ASQ certifications as a Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Professional; Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence and Certified Quality Auditor and certification from the New Jersey Pharmaceutical Quality Control Association. Linda joined ASQ in 1988 and has served in the Tappan Zee Section as Chair, Secretary, Audit Chair, and chaired various committees including, Arrangements, Certification, Membership, Nominations, Placement, Publicity, Recertification, and Scholarship. She currently serves the Tappan Zee Section as Certification Chair for exams. Linda also is active with the ASQ Food, Drug & Cosmetic Division. She currently is a member of the CPGP exam committee and has served as a Co-Chair of the committee for the 2010/2011 term.
Recertification Chair
Linda Sroka recently was a Senior Manager of Quality Assurance, Americas at Celgene Corp., in Basking Ridge, NJ. She has over 30 years experience in pharmaceutical and veterinary manufacturing as well as global compliance and quality management. Linda has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from West Virginia Wesleyan College and currently holds ASQ certifications as a Certified Pharmaceutical GMP Professional; Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence and Certified Quality Auditor and certification from the New Jersey Pharmaceutical Quality Control Association. Linda joined ASQ in 1988 and has served in the Tappan Zee Section as Chair, Secretary, Audit Chair, and chaired various committees including, Arrangements, Certification, Membership, Nominations, Placement, Publicity, Recertification, and Scholarship. She currently serves the Tappan Zee Section as Certification Chair for exams. Linda also is active with the ASQ Food, Drug & Cosmetic Division. She currently is a member of the CPGP exam committee and has served as a Co-Chair of the committee for the 2010/2011 term.
Greg Szczesny
Scholarship Chair
Greg L. Szczesny was a senior management advisor with over 25 years of experience supporting supply chain operations and regulatory compliance focused in the diversified industrials, aerospace and defense, automotive, and pharmaceutical /medical device sectors while working for Stryker Orthopaedics, KPMG, and most recently PwC. He has significant cross-industry and international experience having worked in the US, Europe, and Asia. Greg earned his undergraduate degree in systems engineering from the United States Military Academy (West Point) and completed his MBA from Auburn University. He has been a member of the ASQ Tappan Zee Section since 2009 and a Senior member as of 2011. Greg has served on the Leadership Committee as the Scholarship Chair from 2009 until 2019 when he transitioned to serving as the Membership Chair. Greg is certified as an ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt. He is currently enjoying semi-retirement and spending time supporting not-for-profit and volunteer organizations.(Ph) (845) 662-1075
Scholarship Chair
Greg L. Szczesny was a senior management advisor with over 25 years of experience supporting supply chain operations and regulatory compliance focused in the diversified industrials, aerospace and defense, automotive, and pharmaceutical /medical device sectors while working for Stryker Orthopaedics, KPMG, and most recently PwC. He has significant cross-industry and international experience having worked in the US, Europe, and Asia. Greg earned his undergraduate degree in systems engineering from the United States Military Academy (West Point) and completed his MBA from Auburn University. He has been a member of the ASQ Tappan Zee Section since 2009 and a Senior member as of 2011. Greg has served on the Leadership Committee as the Scholarship Chair from 2009 until 2019 when he transitioned to serving as the Membership Chair. Greg is certified as an ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt. He is currently enjoying semi-retirement and spending time supporting not-for-profit and volunteer organizations.(Ph) (845) 662-1075
Stephen Joseph
Webmaster (Internet Liaison)
Stephen Joseph is currently working as a Compliance Specialist with Regeneron. He has been with pharmaceutical business for over 12 years. Stephen has also worked in IT industry previously with certifications in Java, MCSA and CCNA. He has been a member of ASQ Tappan Zee since 2012 and is a CQA. Stephen earned his undergraduate degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Holkar Science College, India and completed his Masters in Applied Chemistry from Institute of Chemical Sciences, India. He also has Masters in Industrial Pharmacy from LIU, Brooklyn.
Webmaster (Internet Liaison)
Stephen Joseph is currently working as a Compliance Specialist with Regeneron. He has been with pharmaceutical business for over 12 years. Stephen has also worked in IT industry previously with certifications in Java, MCSA and CCNA. He has been a member of ASQ Tappan Zee since 2012 and is a CQA. Stephen earned his undergraduate degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Holkar Science College, India and completed his Masters in Applied Chemistry from Institute of Chemical Sciences, India. He also has Masters in Industrial Pharmacy from LIU, Brooklyn.
Marianne Acuzar
Voice of the Customer, Chair and Nomination Chair
Marianne Acuzar is a Quality Assurance Manager at Pfizer Inc. in Pearl River, NY. She has more than 20 years Quality Assurance experience in both the pharmaceutical industry and the automotive industry. Marianne has an MBA degree in Management and International Business Certificate from Iona College. She currently holds ASQ certification as a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and has been a member of ASQ Tappan Zee since 2012.
Voice of the Customer, Chair and Nomination Chair
Marianne Acuzar is a Quality Assurance Manager at Pfizer Inc. in Pearl River, NY. She has more than 20 years Quality Assurance experience in both the pharmaceutical industry and the automotive industry. Marianne has an MBA degree in Management and International Business Certificate from Iona College. She currently holds ASQ certification as a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and has been a member of ASQ Tappan Zee since 2012.
Open Positions:
Section Chair
Treasurer
Arrangements Chair
Seminar Chair
Section Chair
Treasurer
Arrangements Chair
Seminar Chair