Dr. John W. Via III, P.E.M., P.E.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
International executive with extensive general management experience leading global operations in North and South
America, Europe and Asia, primarily in the pharmaceutical, medical device and chemical manufacturing industries.
Proven track record in manufacturing (internal and contract) operations; design, construction, validation and start-up
of new manufacturing plants; technology transfer and new product launches; validation and regulatory compliance
in the US and international markets; improving safety and productivity performance; business continuity;
organizational development and succession planning; and building and growing cost-competitive organizations.
Close to 15 years teaching engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels and in academic leadership.
ACADEMIC & TEACHING EXPERIENCE
DREXEL UNIVERSITY, College of Engineering, Philadelphia, PA
Associate Dean of Engineering; Department Head, Engineering Management Studies; (10/01/2012 –present)
Director of the Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Programs; and Teaching Professor.
• Associate Dean of Engineering - Online Programs (10/01/2012 –present): Focused on expanding online
engineering certificate and degree offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels through the
development and implementation of the University's and College of Engineering's Strategic Plans.
Improved Drexel’s ranking from #35 to #29 in the US News & World Report Graduate Online Engineering
Programs.
• Department Head, Engineering Management Studies (12/01/2013-present): Leading new department
comprised of 5 programs: Construction Management (BS/MS) Property Management (BS/MS),
Engineering Management (MS), Project Management (MS) and Systems Engineering (MS) with over 650
students.
• Director of Engineering Management Program & Teaching Professor (10/01/2012 –present),
Founding Director of Systems Engineering Program (12/01/2013 – present): Leading the Engineering
Management and Systems Engineering programs and teaching undergraduate and graduate engineering
courses. Developed and launched new MS degree and 5 graduate certificates in Systems Engineering in
2014.
• Online Learning Council (OLC) Fellow (6/2013- 6/2014): one of eight Drexel OLC fellows focused on
faculty training and development, development of high quality online and blended courses, and excellence
in online education.
• Teaching Professor (courtesy appointment) at Charles D. Close School of Entrapreneurship
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY, Lyle School of Engineering, Dallas, TX
Adjunct Professor, Engineering Management and Information Systems
(2004 –2012)
Taught graduate courses in the Executive MS Engineering Management degree program: EMIS 8364 Management
for Engineers – 9 semesters (2004-2012, and EMIS 7362 Production and Operations Management – 4 semesters
(2005-2012).
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TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY, College of Science and Engineering, Fort Worth, TX
Adjunct Associate Professor
(1994-96 & 2004-05)
Assisted with the start-up of the Engineering Department and taught undergraduate courses in the BS Engineering
degree program. Taught ENGR 30903 Issues in Engineering Design – 2 semesters (2004 & 2005) and ME 3624
Manufacturing I course/laboratory- 2 semesters (1995 & 1996). Industrial sponsor for award-winning senior
engineering design project “In-line Vacuum Detection System” (2001).
Dr. John W. Via III, P.E.M., P.E.
INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE
Alcon Eye Care Division, Novartis; Fort Worth, TX
(1/25/1993-8/24/2012)
Vice President Manufacturing, Global Surgical Operations
Global Head, Manufacturing, Cataract and Vitreous/Retinal Integrated Franchises
Alcon Eye Care Division, Novartis, Fort Worth, TX
(1/03/2012-8/24/2012)
Senior executive with full P&L responsibility for all ten of Alcon’s global surgical manufacturing operations in Europe
(Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany), Israel, and the United States (Irvine, Aliso Viejo, Houston, Sinking Spring,
Huntington). Responsible for both internal and contract manufacturing of Alcon’s finished products in compliance with
Alcon’s quality systems and all applicable safety, environmental and cGMP regulatory requirements. Directed a highperforming team of 3600+ associates in the manufacturing of over 25,000 SKUs used in cataract, glaucoma, vitreoretinal and vision correction surgeries resulting in annual sales of ~$4.8 billion in over 200 markets worldwide. Products
include Custom Paks®, instruments, consumables, disposables, hand pieces, probes, tips, intraocular lenses (IOLs) and
delivery systems, knives, sutures, refractive lasers, femtosecond lasers, and shunts. Responsible for all sourcing
decisions, new product transfer to manufacturing, and due diligence and technical evaluation of potential acquisition
targets. Managed $1.5 million corporate operating budget, COGM of $631 million, and an annual capital budget of
~$100 million.
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS
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Completed four due diligence reviews resulting in three acquisitions.
Developed strategic plans for business continuity, capacity management, capital spending and succession
planning.
Executive sponsor of surgical continuous improvement (Value Stream+) program used to drive improvement of
key safety, quality, compliance, productivity, and supply chain metrics.
Vice President Manufacturing, Global Pharmaceutical & Lens Care Operations
Alcon Eye Care Division, Novartis, Fort Worth, TX
(1/01/2008-1/02/2012)
Senior executive with full P&L responsibility for all nine of Alcon’s global pharmaceutical and lens care manufacturing
operations in Asia (Singapore), Europe (Belgium, France, Spain), North and South America (Canada, USA, Mexico,
Brazil). Responsible for both internal and contract manufacturing of finished products, and contract manufacturing of
strategic raw materials (API’s) in compliance with Alcon’s quality systems and all applicable safety, environmental and
cGMP regulatory requirements. Directed a high-performing team of over 2400 associates in the manufacturing of 930.2
million units (12,400 SKUs) resulting in annual sales of ~$4.6 billion in over 200 markets worldwide. Dosage forms
included unit dose, droptainers®, large volume lens care, ointments, viscoelastics, SVP/LVP and Custom Paks®.
Product mix included aseptically filled, terminally sterilized and non-sterile products. Managed $2 million corporate
operating budget, COGM of $856 million, and annual capital budget of ~$100 million through annual budget approval
process and monthly variance reviews. Managed all aspects of Alcon’s Global Graphics (labeling) operations (2008-10),
and corporate purchasing (global purchasing, fleet management and corporate travel) operations (2008-09) as
development assignments.
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS
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Completed fast track design and construction of new $195 Million, 333,000 sq. ft., aseptically filled sterile
products plant in Tuas Biological Park, Singapore. Construction was completed in 15 months (3/2009 -8/2010)
and media fills were successfully completed in 12/2011. Commercial operations began in 2012.
Completed implementation and start-up of new droptainer® fill lines in Barcelona and Puurs plants; new unit
dose fill line in Kaysersberg, and new lines 17 and 18 and the replacement/upgrade of Line 9 filler in Fort
Worth.
Four-year favorable trend of key quality, compliance, safety and productivity indicators.
Improved profitability and margin by reducing COGMs as a percentage of sales, and reducing inventory levels
while maintaining/improving customer service levels.
Served on the Board of Directors for the Alcon Foundation and the Alcon Profit Sharing Trust (401K).
Corporate manufacturing representative on Novartis-Alcon-Ciba Vision Integration Teams (2010-11).
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Dr. John W. Via III, P.E.M., P.E.
Alcon Division, Novartis; Fort Worth, TX (continued)
Vice President/General Manager, Fort Worth Manufacturing Operations,
Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX
(1/06-12/07)
Directed three business units (ASPEX, Consumer Products, and Pharmaceutical/Surgical) and over 730 employees in
Alcon’s two Fort Worth manufacturing plants, in the production of over 250 million units of pharmaceuticals, surgical
solutions, ointments, and consumer products. Unit volume increased from 190 million to over 250 million units (+32%),
and sales volume increased from $1.6 to over $2 billion between 2006 and 2008.
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS
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In response to B&L/AMO recalls, accelerated completion of the construction, validation, and start-up of Line
16 by three months to add capacity and capture additional market share. Annual volume increased from 84M to
over 121M units (+44%).
ASPEX Line E – successfully implemented $25 million expansion (compounding, filling and packaging line).
Validation/startup completed 12/06, PAI completed with no 483.
Plant Productivity Awards 2006 & 2007
Completed a nine month (02/07-10/07) temporary assignment as acting Plant Manager of Alcon’s Barcelona
Spain plant to address significant operational challenges while retaining full responsibility for the Fort Worth
Manufacturing Operations. Hired and trained new plant and production managers, and significantly improved
plant’s efficiency and compliance posture. Directed all manufacturing operations for 250+ employees, 6 sterile
and 2 non-sterile fill/packaging lines producing over 58 million units of small volume sterile ointments,
consumer products, and pharmaceuticals, and non-sterile otic solutions. Plant has a sales volume of over $300
million for 86 markets in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EURMEA). Completed PSBs and new
product launches of DuoTrav® and Azopt®, and Patanase®. Patanase® PAI was completed with no 483.
Director of Manufacturing, ASPEX Plant, Fort Worth Manufacturing Operations,
Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX
(4/04 – 12/05)
Directed all manufacturing operations in ASPEX for 4 sterile fill/packaging lines producing 90 million units of
pharmaceuticals and small volume consumer products (94 formulations, 600+ SKU’s, 1-30 ml. Droptainers®,
290,000-sq. ft.). Managed staff of 212 (122 exempts, 90 direct labor), $34 million operating budget, $78 million
COGM, resulting in a sales volume over $1 billion. Responsible for both short and long term planning to meet all
marketing forecasts (domestic, private label, generic and export) in a cost-effective manner with full regulatory
(cGMP, EC, ISO) compliance, and all safety and environmental requirements. Coordinated with Marketing,
PD/R&D for technology transfer required for the introduction of new or improved products.
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS
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Two-year favorable trend in key quality, safety and productivity indicators. Plant Productivity Awards
2004 & 2005; Project Productivity Award: Compound F 2004
Completed upgrade to Intellution SCADA system in ASPEX, construction and validation of new
Compound F and Co-ball Mill, and completed design and construction of Line E in ASPEX.
Director of Manufacturing, Consumer Products Business Unit, Fort Worth Manufacturing Operations,
Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX
(8/00 – 3/04)
Directed all manufacturing operations in the Consumer Products business unit including 4 sterile fill/packaging lines
and 3 kit lines producing 89 million units of contact lens care solutions (8 formulations, 350+ SKU’s, 2-16 oz.
sizes). Managed staff of 249 (121 exempts, 128 direct labor), $33.5 million operating budget, $69 million COGM,
resulting in sales volume over $280 million. Responsible for both short and long term planning to meet all marketing
forecasts (domestic, private label, generic and export) in a cost-effective manner with full regulatory (cGMP, EC,
ISO) compliance, and all safety and environmental requirements. Coordinated with Marketing, PD/R&D for
technology transfer required for the introduction of new or improved products. Completed launches of Opti-Free
RepleniSH®, Opti-Free No-Rub®, and Opti-Free Plus®.
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS
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Reduced Consumer Products COGM by 24.6% between 2001 and 2004.
Five-year favorable trend in key quality, safety and productivity indicators. Achieved the plant’s two best
safety performances ever in 2001 and 2003. Plant Productivity Awards 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. Project
Productivity Awards: Flex Pack Line 2002, Madrid Transfer 2003.
2003 Madrid Transfer Project: Transferred 11.1 million units (160 SKU’s) in 8 months to facilitate the sale
of Alcon’s Madrid plant resulting in annualized savings of over $5 million/yr.
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Dr. John W. Via III, P.E.M., P.E.
Alcon Division, Novartis; Fort Worth, TX (continued)
Director, Plant Engineering, Fort Worth Manufacturing Operations,
Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX
(8/99-7/00)
Completed a one year temporary assignment as the Director, Plant Engineering, in Alcon’s Fort Worth plant to
address significant operational challenges while retaining full responsibility for the Alcon’s corporate Automation
Engineering Operations. Directed all engineering/maintenance operations for 9 fill/packing lines and 6 kit lines,
(270 SKUs, 2-15 ml droptainers®, 1.5-20 ml glass vials, 15ml/30ml plastic SVP, 250ml/500ml glass LVP, and 2-16
oz. plastic bottles) producing LVP, SVP and contact lens care products. Managed staff of 105, including 4
managers, 16 engineers (project, automation and validation), 2 safety engineers and all craft mechanics.
Responsible for $11 million operating budget and $20 million capital budget in this 330,000 sq. ft. sterile products
facility. Completed $40 million Line 15 renovation/expansion project and hired and trained new Director of Plant
Engineering.
Director, Automation Engineering, Corporate Engineering,
(8/98-7/00)
Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering, US/LACAR Pharmaceutical Operations,
(8/97-7/98)
Manager, Systems & Process Engineering, Fort Worth Manufacturing Operations,
(1/93-7/97)
Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX
Responsible for all automation projects (DCS/SCADA/ PLC/Robotics, vision systems, barcode, etc.) and life-cycle
management of all existing automation systems in Alcon’s 14 manufacturing plants. Provided assistance or directed
capital projects in Alcon’s Puerto Rico, Kaysersburg (France), Madrid and Barcelona (Spain) and Sao Paulo (Brazil)
manufacturing plants. Directed the automation engineering departments in the ASPEX, Fort Worth and Puerto Rico
plants. Managed a staff of 34, an expense budget of $2.7 million, and automation capital budget over $8 million.
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS
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Developed Alcon’s automation validation philosophy and standards and developed strategic plan for
automation systems integration.
Designed, implemented, and validated a GE SCADA/PLCs control system for a new $135 million ASPEX
sterile ophthalmic manufacturing plant (290,000 sq. ft.). Worked with FDA’s national automation expert
and Dallas District Office to facilitate regulatory review and approval. Project completed on schedule and
budget. Final PAI completed with no 483 in 5/97, production began 6/97, and first drug approvals (7 NDAs
and 7 ANDAs) were received in 1/98.
Designed and implemented flexible robotic kiting line with an annual savings of $1.5 million/year.
MERCK & CO, Inc. , West Point, PA
Automation Project Manager, Corporate Computer Resources
(1991-1993)
Automation project manager for the $200 million Biotechnology Manufacturing Complex (BTMC) project with $22
million budget responsibility. Project advanced on schedule and within budget. Directed development of an
integrated MES/DCS system for flexible manufacturing of vaccines to demonstrate corporate manufacturing
automation strategy. Saved $4MM optimizing automation architecture for paperless manufacturing and achieved a
75% reduction in time required to specify, evaluate and select suppliers, and obtain approval of automation vendors.
ABB/BAILEY (formerly FISCHER & PORTER COMPANY), Warminster, PA
Industry Marketing Manager
(1988-1991)
Developed and directed the implementation of DCS global industry marketing strategy for the chemical,
pharmaceutical and food industries. Conducted application and industry marketing research, specified batch control
functionality for DCS System Six based on ISA S88. CIM & FDA validation consultant.
PFIZER (formerly WARNER-LAMBERT/PARKE-DAVIS), Holland, MI
Sr. Staff Engineer
(1987-1988)
Directed automation of multiple-step batch pharmaceutical (Gemfibrozil) manufacturing process using Foxboro I/A
system. Wrote functional requirements specifications, selected vendors, designed P&IDs, and specified all required
process equipment, instrumentation and control systems.
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Dr. John W. Via III, P.E.M., P.E.
GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER Co., Beaumont & Houston, TX
Chemical Engineer
(1984-1987)
Lead process and/or automation engineer on major capital projects. Installed and configured Fisher Provox DCS.
Directed mechanical construction of $12.6 million solution polymer plant, which was completed ahead of schedule
and under budget. Directed engineering firm in design of $7.2 million expansion/automation of a resin plant.
EDUCATION & LICENSES
Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management (12/02)
• Doctoral Praxis: Flexible Packaging Lines: Design, Implementation & Performance Evaluation
Master of Liberal Arts (5/07)
MS Manufacturing Systems Management (12/03)
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX.
MS Engineering Management (3/94)
MS Chemical Engineering (12/91)
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
Master of Engineering Science (8/86)
• Thesis: Steady State Simulation of Multicomponent Distillation Columns
Lamar University, Beaumont, TX.
BS Chemical Engineering (5/84)
• Undergraduate Thesis: Viscous & Viscoelastic Fluid Buckling of Axisymmetric Jets
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
Professional Engineer (Texas, Delaware, Pennsylvania)
Professional Engineering Manager (American Society for Engineering Management)
Certified Master Course Reviewer (Quality Matters)
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
Corporate Governance, Drexel University, 2014.
Program for Management Development (10 weeks), Harvard Business School, 2001.
Supply Chain Management/Factory Physics (1 week), Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.
World Class Manufacturing (2 weeks), Darden School of Business, University of Virginia.
Advanced Competitive Marketing (1 week), Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.
ADVISORY BOARD EXPERIENCE
Non-profit board service - includes serving on the Board of Directors for Alcon's 401k and Profit Sharing Trust
(2007-2012) and the Alcon Foundation (2007-2012), Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County (Finance
Committee 2009-2012), Safe Haven of Tarrant County (Finance & Investment Committee 2006-2011), and the
Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth & Tarrant County (Director & Investment Committee 2006-2010).
Academic Advisory board service - includes the Chemical Engineering Advisory Board at the University of Virginia
(2013- present), and the College of Engineering Advisory Council (2008-present), Chemical Engineering Ph.D.
Advisory Board (2007-present), Chemical Engineering Advisory Council (2002-present) at Lamar University.
Previous academic advisory board experience includes the EMIS Distinguished Advisory Board (2008-2011) and
the Associate Board at the Cox School of Business (2002-2004) at Southern Methodist University.
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