Freund-Marquardt Medal

Acceptance Speech by Ofelia U. Barretto

Good morning, distinguished Members of the Board, the Awards Committee, Guests, and Friends. I am truly honored and humbled to be the recipient of this prestigious Award. I was caught by surprise when Jack West left me a phone message to let me know that I had been nominated, and selected for the Award. My friends in the Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Division did a great job keeping that whole nomination process from me.  Thank you very much for your confidence in me, and for sparing me all that work, and the anxiety!

As I read the caption on the Award, “-- many years of leadership in the development of standards for quality assurance and management systems ---- in the pharmaceutical, dietary supplements, and processed foods industries --”, I find myself reminiscing on the career path that took me to where I am right now. People and events leave lasting influence in our lives, including our careers.

I was graced from the start to have great parents, Ambrosio and Marcela Umali, a lawyer and a pharmacist, respectively, who instilled in me the value of education, the importance of following the law, and the discipline to always perform with the best of my ability. These traits have followed me throughout my career.  I received my technical discipline from a selective school, the University of the Philippines, where I received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, a Master of Science equivalent in the United States.  I have also had the good fortune of having bosses that encouraged me to continue to develop myself.

It was Joy Joseph, my supervisor at my first job in this country, who encouraged me to apply for my first managerial job. She was more convinced than I was on my qualification for the job. Thus, I landed the job as Quality Control Manager of Rabin-Winters, Division of Brunswig Drugs, a small pharmaceutical / cosmetic manufacturer in southern California. That was the first break on being in management.

Then there was Bob Quinn, my boss at Nutrilite Products, a Division of Amway Corporation, who encouraged me to join ASQ (ASQC, then). It is this organization that I owe my development into becoming a Professional Quality Manager. I clearly remember how impressed I was on learning about Cost of Quality, a Tutorial I attended during my first American Quality Congress after joining ASQ. That experience opened my mind to the need for incorporating management tools in the management of quality. And all these management tools I can learn here at ASQ.

Also, having been active both in the Division level and the National level of ASQ, I have had the privilege of learning from many members of the Society, too many to mention. Yes, the knowledge I have gained as an active member of ASQ has contributed greatly to my success in my profession.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the influence and support I have continuously received from my friends in the regulatory agencies --- George Gerstenberg, Elaine Messa, and Alonza Cruse from the USFDA, Los Angeles District, and Pat Kennelly, and Prosy de la Cruz from the California Department of Public Health.  And, of course, there were many friends and associates who all contributed in my development.

Last, but not least, without the love and support of my husband, Ramon, our children, and grandchildren, I would not have succeeded in any endeavor.

Again, I thank you all, for your role in helping me be worthy of this distinguished Award.

Thank you.