Jay Hardy, CLS, SM(NRCM)
President

In 1980 my original partner and I began to make culture media for a single local hospital. At that time our only intention was, besides survival, to produce a high quality product with unbeatable service at a reasonable price. More than 38 years later, our goals remain exactly the same; even though we are now very grateful to service over 9,000 laboratories nationwide.

As a Clinical Laboratory Scientist with hospital experience, I am determined to remain sensitive to the needs of today’s microbiology community, since I know how disappointing it can be when the laboratory is let down by one of their vendors. Consequently, we continually strive to find new ways that our company can grow and evolve to be of better service to the laboratorian.

I am excited about the future as we increase our manufacturing capabilities to include a better selection of rapid test methods, new prepared media formulations, automated slide stainers, and a growing line of dehydrated culture media.

New opportunities for exporting overseas have encouraged us to expand and enhance our manufacturing facility. Domestically, we are pleased to have completed our nationwide network of distribution facilities (now a total of nine) so that most customers will enjoy overnight ground shipments of our products.

Another area of expansion has been our website. It is our desire to offer a website that will be helpful and informative to our customers, so that they can easily place orders or access any technical data that they may need.

As for me personally, when I’m not thinking about microbiology, you’re likely to find me jogging, hiking, gardening, trap shooting, or attempting to keep up with my two boys, Dylan and Jared.

I hope that you will feel free to email me with any comments or suggestions that you may have. We at Hardy Diagnostics are constantly looking for ways that we can improve our service to those in the laboratory.

Jeffrey Schroder | Chief Financial Officer

I joined the Hardy team in July 2020 and have the pleasure of leading the Ohio-based accounting group that supports the entire US organization.

I received my Bachelor of Science with dual majors in Accounting and Finance from Wright State University, Dayton, OH. I received my MBA from The University of Dayton and I am a CPA and a proud member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and The Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants. I have over twenty-five years of accounting leadership experience in Manufacturing and Distribution industries. Prior to joining Hardy Diagnostics, I served as Chief Financial Officer of an Ohio-based manufacturer of steel products. In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, traveling and spending time with my family.

It is an honor to be a member of the Hardy Diagnostics family.

My team and I are available to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to reach out to any one of us directly.

Christopher Catani, MT(ASCP), RM(NRCM)
Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Vice President

I have been a member of the Hardy team since October of 1996.
In 1986 I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology from Illinois State University and received my degree in Medical Technology from the National Lewis University and Lutheran General Hospital in 1994.
I earned a Specialist in Pharmaceutical Microbiology from the American College of Microbiology in July 2000.
I am also a member of the American Society for Microbiology.
It’s been a great honor to execute our mission statement of “Partnering with our Customers to Diagnose and Prevent Disease”

Andre Hsiung M.S., M(ASCP)
Chief Scientific Officer

It was love at first sight when I took my first microbiology course, and the enthusiasm for this topic never faded. After working several years in the trenches (on the bench) in the clinical microbiology laboratory and as a researcher, I became fascinated with antibiotics, resistance detection, and susceptibility testing. This passion resulted in my graduate work on “Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL)”, when ESBL was still considered a hot topic. Who would have imagined that so many other complex mechanisms of resistance would emerge after ESBLs?

My association with Hardy Diagnostics started in 2003, where I led the Tech Support/Quality Control/Research & Development departments until 2006 which culminated with the launch of StrepB Carrot Broth and a couple of early HardyCHROM products. After a 5 year stint in the Midwest, it is an honor to return to the warmth of Hardy Diagnostics and feel again the ocean breeze of California’s beautiful central coast.

On a personal note, my wife and I have two kids, and spend most of our free time driving them around for their extra-curricular activities, such as violin, chamber music, tennis, and Karate. When time allows, I enjoy backyard BBQ and spending time with loved ones.

As an American Society for Clinical Pathology licensed clinical microbiologist, with years of experience in the diagnostic microbiology industry, I strive to assist our customers in offering the products and services of Hardy Diagnostics.

Ryan Burks
Director of Logistics and Customer Service

I have been a Hardy team member since 2004 and oversee all of our distribution centers and our customer service department.

In 1999, I received my Bachelors of Arts in Kinesiology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. After five years of teaching in Costa Mesa CA, my wife and I moved back home to Santa Maria to be near family and to raise my 3 kids. My hobbies include all sports, hiking, camping and auto racing.

Here at Hardy Diagnostics, I have the honor in working with our team to provide our customers with the highest level of service in our industry. We make it our goal to “go the extra mile” for each and every one of our customers.

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to partner with you in your efforts to diagnose and prevent disease.

Ashleigh Rickey, RAC-Devices, MPH, MLS
Director of Quality Assurance

I graduated from Wright State University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science. In 2018 I obtained a Master’s in Public Health from Liberty University. I also hold a Regulatory Affairs Certification in Devices from the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society.

Before coming to Hardy Diagnostics I worked in the clinical laboratory of a major hospital system and the microbiology laboratory of a blood bank and tissue center. In January 2019 I was hired as a Regulatory Affairs Associate at Hardy Diagnostics and have worked in the areas of regulatory affairs, compliance, and quality assurance in my tenure here. I have a personal and professional commitment to protecting and promoting patient safety and public health, and it is a great honor to live out those values as we partner with our customers to diagnose and prevent disease.

I have been a member of the Hardy Diagnostics team since 2016 and am responsible for overseeing all Manufacturing, Planning, Scheduling, Purchasing, Facilities, and Engineering Activities. During my tenure at Hardy Diagnostics, I have served within each of our Manufacturing Departments as both a technician, work cell lead, supervisor, and value stream manager. I am blessed with the privilege to work with and lead a group of talented individuals who not only pride themselves in producing quality product for our customers, but in challenging the “old way” of doing things and presenting new opportunities for improvement. I take great responsibility over ensuring our team has the best tools to get the job “done right.”

Prior to joining Hardy Diagnostics I worked in the tool-and-die industry leading a large work cell of automated CNC machinery across multiple shifts. During my career I have always found a deep interest in understanding not only how to do things with quality in mind, but to execute them more efficiently. I have been privileged to interact with many great project management mentors and gain my PMP, Six Sigma Belt Certification, TPS, and Scrum Master Certification (CSM).

I look forward to working with you and your team directly to meet your ever-changing microbiology needs. It’s a great honor serving you and fulfilling our mission to “Diagnose and Prevent Disease.”

Robert Meijer
Director of Sales & Marketing

August 2008: I am very pleased and excited to be part of the Hardy team.

With over 18 years of experience throughout the laboratory product supply chain, I look forward to understanding and providing you with solutions to your unique needs.

Our goal is to produce and distribute the finest products for detecting microorganisms and it will be a pleasure to provide you with all the necessary information on our company, support systems and products which will allow you to determine just how much Hardy can help simplify your daily life.

Aside from work, my wife and I are avid animal lovers. We live in Clermont Florida on our hobby farm with our two dogs, two cats and five horses. When not tending to our herd, I enjoy roller-blading, golf, fishing and off road motorcycle riding.

Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to the opportunity of talking with you soon.

Senior Operations Manager

I have been a member of the Hardy Diagnostics team since 2007 and oversee the manufacturing operations at our California facility.

My career at Hardy Diagnostics started as a Tube and Bottles technician and has also included tenures in the Manufacturing Services and Quality Assurance departments. I began my leadership journey as a supervisor in the Manufacturing Services department and was promoted to management shortly thereafter. Working as Senior Operations Manager at our California facility, I have had the honor and privilege to work with and learn from many talented people. I use the experience and knowledge I’ve gained over my 15 years with Hardy Diagnostics to help our team manufacture the highest quality products, efficiently and on time to support our customers.

On a personal note, my wife and I have six awesome children and an English Bulldog. In my free time I enjoy watching baseball; I am an avid Dodgers fan. I also enjoy traveling, hiking, exercise and BBQing. 

I have been with Hardy Diagnostics since 2010 and currently lead the Information System department.

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and over a decade of management experience in various fields. At Hardy Diagnostics I have had the pleasure of managing the Sales Administration, Marketing, Projects, and Information System departments.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, motorcycles, traveling, food (and blogging about it), web design (I opened my first official business back in 2012 on web design and development), real estate, woodworking, cycling, hiking, and anything else I can make time for.

My goal is to offer our customers a pleasant interaction when ordering or accessing information from our website, over the phone, or by email.

Andrew Mycroft
Territory Account Manager

I am a proud member of the Hardy Diagnostics team and am thrilled to be serving Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

I attended Northern Arizona University where I studied Biomedical Sciences and Chemistry, played rugby on a club team and worked in the chemistry stockroom and a retail store. I began my professional career in 2013 in the pharmaceutical industry working with a variety of specialty markets. I am very excited to experience the healthcare industry from a new perspective in providing products for the detection of microorganisms. In addition, I am committed to helping my customers face the unique diagnostic challenges they may face in diagnosing and preventing diseases while addressing them in a comprehensive and cost-effective manner. 

In my free time, I enjoy woodworking (especially building guitars), spending time outdoors, riding bicycles, motorcycles, and playing or listening to music. On an average weekend, you can catch my partner Caitlin, myself and our two dogs hiking on the local trails, camping and exploring.

Mark Carpenter | Regional Sales Manager - East

I’m happy to have been asked to join the Hardy Team in June of 2020. I am fortunate to work with a great sales team as the Regional Sales Manager for the East Region.

I earned my B.S. in Microbiology and an MBA from The University of Tulsa. I have worked in laboratory diagnostics almost my entire sales career with the majority of that time, focused in the microbiology lab.  Many of my good friends today are my current and former customers. My sales philosophy is to provide high value, long term solutions rather than products to meet an immediate need. My role is to support the East Region Sales Team and help them achieve their professional goals.

My wife, Kathy, and I raised three wonderful girls who have (so far) given us seven amazing grandchildren. We are active in a local church and when time permits, I enjoy competing in adventure races, reading, woodworking and the beach.

Nathan Longshore
Inside Sales Specialist

Lo Johnson
Inside Sales Specialist

I am beyond excited to join the Inside Sales Team! I first began at Hardy as a part of the Technical Services team in 2019, eventually making my way to the Technical Services II position. In the Technical Services Department, I mainly work with complaints and inquiries from customers, making improvements to our internal processes and procedures, while also getting to know you all. My time in Technical Services has allowed me to specialize in our products, processes, customers, and a little bit of everything! I love that I am able to use my knowledge of the company’s many aspects and facets to help my customers.

A little bit about me personally: I am originally from Vacaville, California. I moved here to the Central Coast in 2012 to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and graduated with my degree in Microbiology. I live here now and absolutely love this area! I am a born-and-raised SF Giants fan surrounded by LA Dodgers fans, but I’m making do. In my spare time, I coach Varsity volleyball at a local high school, and play in every recreational game and league I possibly can!

Christian Alduenda | Territory Account Manager

My name is Christian Alduenda and as a proud member of the Hardy Diagnostics team, I am thrilled to be serving the Central Coast, Southern California and the beautiful islands of Hawaii.

I attended CSU Channel Islands where I studied Business after I began my professional career in 2007 as a legal assistant for a Los Angeles based probate attorney. With my degree and previous experience in law, I am committed to helping my customers find cost-effective solutions for the unique challenges that exist when diagnosing and preventing diseases. 

And just a little about me - in my free time, I enjoy hanging out with family and friends, playing outdoors and watching motorsports. But above all else, spending time with my daughter who is the light of my life.

Lloyd Christiansen, MT(ASCP)
Territory Account Manager, Technical Consultant

My career with Hardy began in 1990 when I was given the opportunity to move from the laboratory and manage a sales territory.  The challenge was exhilarating and I never looked back. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from Pacific Union College in Northern California and completed my clinical rotation at White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles.

On a personal note, my wife and I live in Benicia, California, and have two grown sons and two grandkids. Here, I can indulge my recreational passions of kiteboarding or playing Highland bagpipes at sunset.

With over 45 years of experience as a California licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist and a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, I aspire to offer our customers the best in quality products and service from Hardy Diagnostics.

Jesse Aragon | Inside Sales Specialist

I am absolutely thrilled to join the Inside Sales Team. I made my start at Hardy Diagnostics back in 2017, as a part-time Shipping Clerk at the California warehouse. In a short time, I was given the opportunity to work for the Marketing Department, where I ultimately ended up leading the Customer Experience Team. As Customer Experience Lead, I was responsible for identifying internal breakdowns that had negative impact on our customers, and in collaboration with our front office teams, we created and implemented solutions to those problems. As a result, our business processes and infrastructures continue to improve and our “Culture of Service” just keeps getting better. Suffice it to say, I have a passion for ensuring that our customers receive a premium customer experience. I now have the distinct privilege of delivering that premium customer experience to you directly. 

On a personal note, I live in my hometown of Santa Maria, California, with my always beautiful wife and two young boys. I live in a divided home: my wife and oldest son are San Francisco Giants fans and my youngest son and I are Los Angeles Dodgers fans. Go figure! I’m surrounded by pristine golf courses here on the Central Coast, so naturally I hit the links when I can.

Kathy Steller
Territory Account Manager

I am excited to become a new member of the Hardy Team as of June 2006.

I attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and received my B.S. in Biology and my California Clear Professional Multiple Subject Credential. Prior to working at Hardy, I worked at The Abalone Farm and cultured abalone on land. Later, I taught in the classroom grades 1-6. Now I am trading kids' germs for the real germs!

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband, Bob; daughters, Jasmine and Chelsea; and my son, Nicholas. We enjoy tennis, volleyball at the beach, biking, hiking, and church.

Along with our staff of other qualified professionals, I am here to be of service to you. Please feel free to contact us at anytime.

It is a joy and a pleasure to join the Hardy sales team! I join Hardy with previous experience from
Merieux NutriSciences in Crete, IL.

My career began in microbiology, where I worked as a microbiologist for five years, before moving
onto a customer service role for two years and, finally, a project manager for the past three years.
I also hold a bachelor’s of science in biology from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. I believe that
all of these experiences will allow be me be a great asset to the Hardy sales team.

I am originally from a small factory town in central Illinois, but have lived in the south suburbs of
Chicago for the past 15 years. I love music and reading and spend a lot of my spare time indulging
in both. I also am very close to my family and enjoy my free time with my husband and four year
old son, August. Being from Chicago, I am also inclined to say “Go Bears!”.

Andrea Longshore
Territory Account Manager

I am proud to be a part of the Inside Sales Team. Having been with Hardy since 2012, where I led the Customer Service Team until 2019. My many years of customer service allowed me to learn the ins and outs of our products and build relationships with many key departments. I use that knowledge to better service my customers. Providing you with the best service experience is one of my main goals.

On a personal note, I have a degree in Social Work. Helping others has always been something that I value. I am a wife and mother to two amazing children and an adorable rescue Pit Bull. I consider them my greatest accomplishment! We enjoy traveling, and making memories on the beautiful Central Coast. 

Sara Hylton | Territory Account Manager

After a wonderful 3 and a half years at Hardy Diagnostics in the Technical Services department, I am very excited to be starting this new adventure as the Midwest Territory Account Manager as of December 2020!

In 2016, I graduated from California State University Chico with a BS in Microbiology and a minor in Chemistry, my focus of study being Clinical Laboratory Science. Prior to my graduation, I worked as a pharmacy technician at a retail pharmacy chain for approximately 6 years. While born and raised on the west coast of California, I am now a proud Kansas City, Missourian since May 2020!  

I have always loved working with people and cultivating relationships, and oftentimes friendships, with customers. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to serve our customers on a more personal level and assist with providing customer-specific support, helping to streamline workflow and identify potential procedural/product gaps, all with the shared goal of saving lives.

When I’m not on the job, I enjoy hiking, watching football with friends (GO CHIEFS!), exploring downtown Kansas City, and caring for my two adorable kitties.

I am looking forward to bringing my knowledge from the Technical Services department to the sales team in order to not only ensure our customers have their media needs met, but also provide them with technical-based solutions for their specific applications.

Ross Siegler
Territory Account Manager

As the newest member on the sales team, it is very exciting to be able to represent the highest quality products and services Hardy Diagnostics offers. I get to do this in the great states of Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Indiana!

I graduated from Southern New Hampshire University and achieved my BS in Business Administration, with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. I started my career with Hardy Diagnostics in March of 2015. Prior to Hardy, I had no experience in Microbiology and found myself reading the labels on every product we produce in order to understand it’s purpose in helping to diagnose and prevent disease. Furthermore, I successfully completed the Micro 101 course Hardy offers which gave me more exposure, and a better understanding of Microbiology. I have always had a desire to become a Territory Account Manager because I enjoy the ups and downs, and the rollercoaster this profession takes you on.

I currently reside in Middletown, OH with my wife and dog. I enjoy being outside, watching F1 (Formula 1 Racing), being a handy man, traveling and golfing.

I am very passionate about customer service and what it means to a customer. I look forward to the future relationships that will be established and the opportunities to provide the highest quality products in the field of Microbiology.

Elisa Scott
Territory Account Manager

I was hired to serve as the Hardy Territory Account Manager for the following states:  Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.  While I am very new to the microbiology industry and Hardy, I know that the company mission statement, “We are committed to producing and distributing the finest products for the detection of microorganisms, as we partner with our laboratory customers to diagnose and prevent disease,” is embraced by all the employees from the very top, down.  I am thrilled to be part of such an amazing organization!

I had every intention of becoming a social worker when I started college in Texas, but after my first job selling for the college newspaper, my career path changed!  I earned a BA in Communications & Sociology.  Eventually, I was able to combine my desire to help others with my love of selling when I began working in pharmaceutical sales.  I have over 20 years' experience selling to physicians in the Nashville, Tennessee, area.  I am excited to transition to microbiology sales and am excited to know my products save lives!

I am the mother of an amazing son, who is a nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  I humbly consider myself a “home chef.”  I also enjoy adventurous dining, traveling, hiking, and kayaking in my free time. 

I look forward to meeting and working with you, as well as providing outstanding customer service!

Lisa Goans
VWR National Account Manager, Technical Consultant

I am very excited and pleased to become part of the Hardy Diagnostics team.

With 25 years of experience in both clinical and industrial laboratories, I look forward to servicing you with solutions to your unique needs.

Our goal is to produce and distribute the finest products for detecting microorganisms and it will be a pleasure to provide you with all the necessary information on our company, support systems and products which will allow you to determine just how much Hardy can help simplify your daily work.

I live in Moncure, NC which is the center of the state with my one dog.  I enjoy gardening, church, and exercising and am an avid fan of our North Carolina Tarheels basketball team.

Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to the opportunity of talking with you soon.

C. Page Papagno
Territory Account Manager

Bruce Terry
Territory Account Manager

After 18 years with Hardy Diagnostics, I am proud to be part of this organization and an owner of the company through the ESOP program. During my time as a Territory Account Manager, I have met and worked with a myriad of account types and people throughout the northeast and mid-Atlantic states to help meet their microbiology needs.

My wife Mary and I reside in Pennsylvania and vacation in the NY Catskills in the summer. My favorite pastimes are golf, fishing, and sailing and I love to watch soccer and F1 racing whenever I have the chance.

I am always ready to listen and provide solutions to my customers in Pennsylvania and southern New York State and want to thank all of my accounts for their trust in Hardy Diagnostics to provide the quality products needed for their microbiological analysis.

Sandra Ford
Territory Account Manager

I have been a part of the Hardy team since September 2018 as a Territory Account Manager, serving the Mid-Atlantic area.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and spent 12 years in the pharmaceutical industry, both in sales and product training. I was extremely fortunate to provide my healthcare practitioners with new, innovative products; thus, changing the lives of their patients. Developing strong relationships, treating each practices’ needs on an individual basis and providing solutions is an innate behavior for me. 

I have also continued my education on an RN path to further my knowledge in the healthcare industry. Microbiology was a particularly fascinating course, one which led me to seek out my career with Hardy Diagnostics. It is an honor to be able to present my customers with a vast array of products and services for the detection of microorganisms. My commitment is to provide cost-effective solutions to improve laboratory workflow, and aid my customers in their ultimate goal of diagnosing and preventing disease.

I am the mother of two amazing, scholar athlete teens. In addition, I am an avid open water endurance swimmer, having completed numerous marathons and ultra-marathons. Physical activity in any form is fuel for both the mind and body. I take full advantage of any opportunity I can to improve my health and the health of those around me. My family and I reside in New Jersey, living two miles from the beautiful beaches of the Jersey Shore.

I love working with my customers, assisting them with their unique needs, and forging long-term relationships, based on trust and support. Please feel free to contact me anytime. I am here for you.

Cheryl Meyer
Territory Account Manager

I’m pleased to be part of the Hardy Diagnostics team as Territory Account Manager in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Before joining Hardy Diagnostics, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology at Arizona State University and spent several years working in molecular biology and food safety testing laboratories. Since joining Hardy Diagnostics, I’ve come to understand the ever-changing challenges and need for continuous improvement in clinical, pharmaceutical, environmental and food testing laboratories. My goal is to be a valuable resource to our customers in meeting these challenges. The Hardy Diagnostics goal truly is to provide “A Culture of Service”.

My husband and I live in Gainesville, GA where we enjoy bicycling, gardening, taking in local live music. Our family is growing as our daughters are now married and having children of their own. Our new favorite pastime is playing with grandchildren!

As a member of the Hardy Diagnostics team, I'm committed to providing the finest products for the detection of microorganisms and to partner with our laboratory customers to diagnose and prevent disease. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.

Elaine Furey
Territory Account Manager

I am honored to be a part of the Hardy Diagnostics team since August 2019 and being able to support my home state of Florida and beautiful Puerto Rico! Hardy Diagnostics provides a culture of service to all of their customers, a motto I 100% agree with and try to live up to day to day.

Before joining Hardy Diagnostics, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of North Florida. While earning my degree, I interned in a QC lab with a medical manufacturing company, later joining the company full time after graduation as a customer service representative. Assisting customers with orders, product information and trouble-shooting issues has helped me gain knowledge and insight of customer needs. This work experience led me into my sales journey 8 years ago, becoming part of an amazing company today!

I currently reside in Jacksonville, Florida with my husband and 4 kids! We enjoy pool days, family movie night and the days where we have NO plans (a very rare occasion)!

Thank you for trusting in Hardy Diagnostics and allowing me to be able to work with you. I look forward to helping you and your team, and building a great relationship.

Jessa Youngblood
International Sales Specialist

I have been with Hardy for the past 7 years and served in both sales and marketing roles. In this new position, I am looking forward to helping develop relationships with new clients around the world and connecting with the account holders we already support. Providing the highest quality service to our international partners is my top priority.

I bring many years of experience working with regulatory compliance organizations, laboratory clinicians and professional distribution teams. I am eager to support you (and your team) with education, training, product information and virtual demos, webinars, pricing and more. Hardy Diagnostics is a world leader for microbiology testing supplies and equipment. Whether you are performing testing for clinical, pharmaceutical, food, cannabis, environmental monitoring or something else, Hardy has the materials that you need.