John Siemienski » Director, Technology

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Interviewed By: Amanda Seelig

Title:
Director, Technology

Brands Influenced:
Cesamet, Increlex, Proleukin, Somatuline Depot, Veletri, Ventavis, Zavesca, Zegerid, Novo Nordisk, Tracleer, Aciphex

Hobbies:
Computer hardware and electronics, video games, Texas hold’em, pool, darts, and off-road vehicles.

Favorite Quote:
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

How did you get on your current career path?
I began learning programming at age six on a Commodore computer. I was fascinated with being able to make changes to code and see dynamic results and to adjust the way a game performed. I continued my fascination with computers and technology in general, developing a passion for video games and learning how things worked, especially electronics. However, I stopped programming a few years later and didn’t pick it up again until I was 19.

In the early 90’s, after deciding not to continue pursuing a college degree because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, I began studying how to program web applications while I answered phones and performed general office tasks for the software company I was working for.  Within six months I was their Webmaster.

I continued educating myself, reading books, following examples online, and learning new programming languages. In 2000 I began working within pharmaceutical marketing and advertising with a focus in Direct and Brand Marketing.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you either at work or in front of a client?
Using the “rm –rf” unix/linux command is dangerous.  I learned this the hard way very early in my career, deleting the entirety of the webroot directory on the production web server…Fortunately, I had a backup.  Unfortunately, my backup was a week old and the MIS team did not have the web server backed up…

What motivates you at work or in your personal time?
My love for learning new things (technology is advancing at an astounding pace, especially the Internet), providing solutions to new challenges (being able to apply those new learnings), and the knowledge that the services we provide for our clients have a real world impact.

Tell me about a person or event that has markedly changed you…
My brother and mother are both cancer survivors. I remind myself daily not to take things for granted and to keep a healthy perspective.

Can you tell me about an accomplishment or an experience that you are most proud of?
Having the dedication and motivation to continue educating myself, since I did not finish college, and developing a successful and rewarding career.