The PDA Metro Chapter was formed in early 1991 through the efforts of several dedicated PDA members in the New York metropolitan area, who believed that the formation of a local chapter of PDA would benefit the parenteral industry.  Under the initial direction of Jim Agalloco, past President of PDA and then chapter representative, these members chose Anthony Panzica, Director of Technical Service & GMP Compliance for Warner-Lambert as their first speaker.  Mr. Panzica, who had recently left the Newark District of the FDA as Director of Compliance, spoke to over 80 interested attendees on Aseptic Processing & Terminal Sterilization in May of 1991 at the Holiday Inn-North, Newark Airport.  Interim chapter officers appointed at that meeting were: Leonard Mestrandrea, Ph.D., Schering-Plough Corporation, President; Laura Bogdanovich, Schering-Plough Corporation, Vice-President; Gloria Monton, SmithKline Beecham, Secretary and Dante Serrichio, Organon, Treasurer.  The second meeting of the chapter focused on Cleaning Validation, where Jim Agalloco led a lively discussion in late June of 1991.  In less than eight months, the PDA Metro chapter held four excellent technical sessions, identified interim (and long-term) leaders, developed an internal committee structure, managed its own finances and served the localized needs of PDA members.  Over the years other distinguished speakers have included Ed Trappler, Hank Avallone, John Lee, James Akers, Ph.D., Phil DeSantis, Rebecca Brewer and many others too numerous to name.

The Chapter continued to offer excellent local programs until 1995, when it found itself having to contend with a growing plethora of groups offering somewhat similar programs.  In the summer of 1996, the chapter decided to temporarily suspend programming so it could re-assess its position.  After determining that the need for a PDA chapter in the New York metro area still existed, a core group of Jim Banafato (John Brown E&C), Len Mestrandrea and Jim Agalloco decided to re-focus efforts on providing programming dictated directly by the local industry.

Restructuring meetings began in July, 1996 under the guidance of Jim Banafato and Ginny Ventura (of PDA headquarters).  After several such meetings, each involving more and more volunteers, the group assembled a strategy for taking the chapter forward.  Jim Banafato prepared an excellent survey which he faxed to select PDA members in Northern New Jersey.  The results were tabulated and presented at a subsequent restructuring meeting.  These results are now being used as the basis for a 1997 schedule of programs being planned by the chapter.  In addition, the Metro Chapter has new volunteers such as Richard Prince, Ph.D.(Richard Prince Consulting), Anu Khurana (Ortho-McNeil), and Frank Settineri (Marypaul Labs) and many others whose support in terms of time and talent provide great value to the Chapter.  Combined with the support of long-time volunteers such as Gloria Monton (SmithKline Beecham), Ben Willemstyn (Millipore) and others, we anticipate a bright future for the Metro Chapter of PDA.