LaTonya Armstrong
Markham
Summary
Excellent interpersonal, written, and communication skills. Proficient in organizing, developing, and implementing strategies. Experience in identifying and, diligently working towards, solving problems. Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Laboratory Manager
Republic Services
12.2017 - Current
- Oversee the budget for the three facility laboratories, while ensuring that the Operations department’s special purchasing needs are also met
- Responsible for setting up and assisting with the major purchasing and installs of new laboratory instrumentation
- Responsible for ensuring that maintenance and troubleshooting of all lab equipment is being done on a regular and continual basis, as well as setting up all new preventative maintenance agreements for each laboratory instrument
- Ordering of laboratory supplies for instrumentation; ensuring that all the necessary consumables are readily available for use
- Responsible for continuous updating and maintenance of an accurate chemical inventory
- Setting up monthly and semi-annual sampling projects, as required by MWRD, for regulatory and compliance purposes
- Determining waste allocation, based on results from analyses
- Transferring information from sample analyses, into data packages to be stored in our computer database, for future reference
- Writing shipping manifests and designating specific landfills to ship our treated soil samples
- Ensuring that everyone in the department stay up to date with work instructions, SOP’s, and that they are adhering to the company ethics policy
- Staffing and performing continuous training for laboratory personnel
- Ensuring each employee can perform a demonstration of capabilities, in every area in which they have been trained
- Determining how and what waste will be composited and sent out for delisting by our certified laboratory
- Writing up lab reports and filling out manifests for shipping; or filling out reprocessing forms for results that fail to meet our delisting specifications.
- Managed a team of technicians, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and proper handling of lab equipment.
Chemist II
Clean Harbors Environmental Services
03.1995 - 12.2017
- Knowledgeable in analyzing and recovering Chemical Solvents, managing Bulk Waste Fuel, and treatment of Bulk Waste Water
- Experience in Bomb Calorimetry, GC, GCMS, ICP, Karl Fisher and basic wet-chemistry processes
- Familiarity with OSHA regulations, MWRD guidelines and specifications; Trained to perform tasks, according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards
- Assisted in the managing and updating the Chemical Hygiene and Waste Analysis Plans, for the laboratory
- Also part of a team responsible for writing, reviewing and revising facility SOP's
- Was involved in the process of pursuing OSHA's VPP Star Site certification.
- Enhanced product quality by developing and optimizing chemical processes and procedures.
- Increased laboratory efficiency by implementing new software programs for data analysis and management.
- Reduced production costs through the design and synthesis of novel, cost-effective materials.
Sr. Laboratory Technician
Clean Harbors Environmental Services
03.1995 - 12.2017
- Proficient in the utilization and maintenance of GC, Karl Fisher, and Bomb Calorimeter
- Skilled in PCB Detection, Chloride analysis and Distillation
- Efficient in Training and Supervising new technicians, ensuring productive output
- Ensured adherence to safe laboratory practices and Quality Control.
- Reduced equipment downtime through meticulous maintenance and timely calibration of instruments.
- Increased accuracy in test results by implementing rigorous quality control measures and documentation protocols.
- Enhanced laboratory efficiency by streamlining sample processing and data analysis procedures.
Laboratory Technician
Rhone Poulenc Basic Chemical Company
07.1993 - 07.1994
- Performed basic wet-chemistry analyses on powder additives used in both food and technical grade products
- Ensured powder additives met FDA regulations, were in accordance with GMPs, and compliant with company specifications
- Created data charts of product quality, demand, and cost-effectiveness for production.
- Streamlined sample processing for faster turnaround times, resulting in improved customer satisfaction.
- Maintained a high level of accuracy in test results by following strict quality control procedures.
- Enhanced laboratory efficiency by implementing new testing procedures and protocols.
Education
Bachelor of Sciences Degree - Biological Sciences
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois08.1993
Skills
- Citrix
- Lotus Notes
- Paradox
- LIMS
- Microsoft Office Suites
- Chem-Station
- Win-Web
- Facilities Oversight
- Lab Equipment Maintenance
- Equipment Maintenance
- Procedure Monitoring
- Laboratory Work Competency
References
available upon request
Timeline
Laboratory Manager
Republic Services
12.2017 - Current
Chemist II
Clean Harbors Environmental Services
03.1995 - 12.2017
Sr. Laboratory Technician
Clean Harbors Environmental Services
03.1995 - 12.2017
Laboratory Technician
Rhone Poulenc Basic Chemical Company
07.1993 - 07.1994
Bachelor of Sciences Degree - Biological Sciences
Illinois State University