Craig Porter
West Des Moines,IA
Summary
I am a national award-winning Specialty Pharmaceutical Professional and Biotech Specialist with extensive experience in sales and management. My greatest strength is promoting complex products to a diverse client base. As a valued partner and resource in the health care industry, both customers and employers have recognized me for exceptional performance. Successful Regional Sales Director skillful at establishing strategic approaches, finding new customers and expanding territories to maximize revenue. Specializing in rare disease.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Business Director
EMD Serono
Des Moines, IA
04.2025 - Current
- Led regional sales initiatives, driving growth and market penetration strategies across multiple territories.
- Developed and implemented training programs for sales teams to enhance product knowledge and customer engagement.
- Collaborated with marketing to synchronize promotional campaigns, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Analyzed market trends to identify opportunities for expansion and informed strategic decision-making processes.
- Maintained a complete team in the midst of massive resignation nation wide.
- Completed Leadership Growth training and recognized by Leadership training as a extraordinary leader.
- Implemented efficient territory management practices, optimizing resource allocation and coverage.
- Conducted regular business reviews with team members, identifying areas for improvement and growth opportunities.
REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR
ALEXION
04.2018 - Current
- Hired and developed a rare disease sales team through launch into two rare disease states across the Central United States
- I have developed a high preforming team that has exceeded year over year expectation’s through high EQ and team focused philosophy
- I have developed members of the team into promoted roles to support the growth of the organization while hiring for national expansion
- Managed growth and expansion throughout the company’s transition and growth, including integrating new extended business partners to ensure collaboration and patient-centric approach
- Marketing liaison for Myasthenia Gravis
- Pre-launch NMOSD training team
- Highest retention of teams and led through talent sourcing during two expansions
- Supported development of Thought Leader Liaison role at Alexion
- Peer mentor for new and current sales managers.
REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR
BIOGEN IDEC
01.2016 - 04.2018
- Developed and led sales professionals in Biologic market in order to achieve and exceed performance objectives
- Worked with individuals to develop personalized coaching and training to ensure they achieve their professional and personal goals
- Managed resources and collaboration with extended business partners to ensure maximized coverage and support of the field efforts
- Number #1 Region Nationally 2017
- Field activation team member
- Divisional disease state trainer
- Competitive product pre-launch national team.
THOUGHT LEADER LIAISON
04.2014 - 01.2016
- Worked closely with key opinion leaders in the area of speaker training, speaker coaching, and brand marketing initiatives
- Facilitated local, regional, and national advisory boards
- Engage brand management in slide deck development and special projects
- Partnered with internal customers to cultivate and leverage relationships in order to increase portfolio success
- ECTRIMS Lead 2015 Barcelona
- TLL representative on National Leadership Council 2015
- Attended Ocrelizumab readiness meetings 2015.
AREA BUSINESS MANAGER III
05.2011 - 04.2014
- Hired to launch oral medication within Iowa and Wisconsin territories
- Voted “Most Clinical” by peers and trainers at initial product training
- Member of the Tecfidera ABM Advisory Board
- Northern Plains Regional Field Trainer 2014
- Voted MVP 2013.
MS SENIOR SPECIALIST
NOVARTIS
05.2010 - 05.2011
- Responsible for the launch of Gilenya (first oral medication in Multiple Sclerosis) throughout Iowa and Nebraska
- Had one of the first forms in country for launch of Gilenya
- Exceeded plan on every time point with growth month to month.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH MANAGER (MSL)
TEVA NEUROSCIENCE
05.2006 - 11.2009
- Responsible for educating and developing key opinion leaders in Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and new therapeutic areas through the dissemination of scientific data and research
- Managed educational programming and advocate development at national and regional levels
- Initiated internal and external research projects involving present and future product pipeline
- Directed funding and research covering two sales regions within a nine state area
- Organized and conducted numerous local and national advisory forums.
SENIOR NEUROLOGY SPECIALIST
TEVA NEUROSCIENCE
11.2003 - 04.2006
- Promoted daily Multiple Sclerosis injection product and launched and promoted Parkinson’s disease product to Neurologists in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska
- Extensive experience in institutional, academic and technical selling
- Mentored and field trained new Sales Representatives.
PROFESSIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE
AMGEN
09.2002 - 11.2003
- Worked with Rheumatologists to properly select and start new patients on injection medications
- Trained entire office staffs in the use of Enbrel and Kineret for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Mentored and field-trained new representatives
- Met management’s “Exceeds Expectations” status in first year.
SENIOR SALES REPRESENTATIVE
ELAN PHARMACEUTICALS
04.2002 - 09.2002
- Involved in the successful launch of new products Zonegran, Carbatrol and Diastat
- Marketed 11 CNS products with distinction
- Served as Regional Trainer and mentor to develop new and established representatives
- Involved in interviewing, hiring and training of new representatives
- Attended Advanced Sales Representative Training 2000
- Annually exceeded sales quota – 125% in 2001.
DISTRICT MANAGER
AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING (ADP)
02.1995 - 07.1997
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in History -
Skills
- Numerous Product Launches
- Talent Sourcing
- Sales Team Development
- Rare Disease
- Government Affairs & Managed Care
- Training & Development
- Academic Teaching Hospital Experience
- Coverage of Large Geography
- Competitive Analysis
- Expanding territories
- Territory Management
- Staff Development
- Forecasting skills
- Key Account Management
- Customer Relationship Management
- Goal Setting
- Sales Training
- Operations Management
- Strategic Planning
- Channel Development
- Revenue Growth
Major Areas Of Emphasis
- Central Nervous System
- Epilepsy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder
- Myasthenia Gravis
Affiliations
- Board Member Des Moines Metro Opera
- Board Member The Wine Group
Timeline
Area Business Director - EMD Serono
04.2025 - Current
REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR - ALEXION
04.2018 - Current
REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR - BIOGEN IDEC
01.2016 - 04.2018
THOUGHT LEADER LIAISON -
04.2014 - 01.2016
AREA BUSINESS MANAGER III -
05.2011 - 04.2014
MS SENIOR SPECIALIST - NOVARTIS
05.2010 - 05.2011
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH MANAGER (MSL) - TEVA NEUROSCIENCE
05.2006 - 11.2009
SENIOR NEUROLOGY SPECIALIST - TEVA NEUROSCIENCE
11.2003 - 04.2006
PROFESSIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE - AMGEN
09.2002 - 11.2003
SENIOR SALES REPRESENTATIVE - ELAN PHARMACEUTICALS
04.2002 - 09.2002
DISTRICT MANAGER - AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING (ADP)
02.1995 - 07.1997
Iowa State University - Bachelor of Science Degree in History,