EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
JASON GUINARD
Financial Analyst I – Finance
How long have you been with MMQCI and how did you first learn about our company?
I have been working at MMQCI for two years. I interned for a biotech startup company in Biddeford, and after I graduated from college, I had a strong desire to return to Maine and work for a company in the MedTech industry. I was fortunate to learn about a job opening at MMQCI from a family friend, and after I researched the company, I thought it would be a good fit.
What are your primary responsibilities?
My primary responsibilities include creating budgets, conducting monthly forecasts, detailed variance analysis of budget forecasts and actuals, and ad hoc analysis and reporting for various projects to help give management the insights needed to deliver on company goals. More recently, I have become a member of the ERP implementation team tasked with standardizing some of MMQCI’s customer databases, calculating standard costs for our purchased goods inventory, and creating forms and reports to be utilized in our new system. Outside of my day-to-day responsibilities, I am also a member of our Party Planning Committee, involved in organizing our annual summer picnic, holiday parties, and other events throughout the year.
Describe MMQCI in three words:
Welcoming, Collective, and Determined
What do you like best about MMQCI?
Working for a mission-driven company like ours is really rewarding. Even though we all may have different roles within the business, we are all working towards the same goal of providing reliable quality controls to improve laboratory practice in diagnostic testing. That mission starts from the top of the organization and trickles down to each one of us. It really motivates me to work as hard as I can each day to help us achieve that goal.
How would you describe your team?
Our team is relatively new, but after this short amount of time, we are already a close-knit group. Each of us plays a key role in helping to keep MMQCI running. We genuinely care about one another and enjoy each other’s company. I’m excited to see what the future holds for us!
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen since joining MMQCI?
The biggest change that I’ve seen during my time here is the completion of the second-floor expansion to our building. We’ve grown so much since I started. It’s hard to believe that we all used to fit together on the first floor. So, who knows… pretty soon we may need another building!
What are the toughest challenges you’ve had at work?
The biggest challenges I’ve faced while working here have come while being a part of our ERP implementation team. For months, I have worked diligently combining and standardizing various databases across departments to then be uploaded into the system, and learning the Crystal Report Writing software to help us create forms and reports. It has been a long process, and I am anxious for the day we go live in the new system!
What has your experience been with our company culture?
The culture here is absolutely great! Everyone is super friendly and willing to lend a hand when needed. When talking with people who were here back when the company was made up of only twenty employees, they would all agree that the culture has never changed.
What do you like to do in your free time?
This might sound crazy, but my favorite past time is ice-fishing. It’s something that I started doing when I was four years old on a small pond near my house, and over the years, it has taken me to some of the most beautiful places across New England.
Where is your happy place in Maine?
I love to be anywhere near the water, but the one place I enjoy the most is Moosehead Lake.
What’s one thing that’s on your “Bucket List”?
I want to visit the Ardennes in Belgium/Luxembourg. It’s a trip that my family and I have always dreamed of going on because my great-grandfather served in World War II and survived the Battle of the Bulge.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Portland and raised in Alfred, which is a small town in Southern Maine.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations, and why?
My dad is by far my biggest inspiration. He was my coach in every sport growing up, so he had a lot of time to instill values of being a hardworking, disciplined individual who leads by example in me. He volunteered countless hours of his time to my high school’s booster program to not only support me, but all my peers and the future generations. His work ethic and strong drive to give back to his community are traits that I’ve always admired, and he continues to inspire me to work as hard as I can to be the best version of myself that I can be.
How have you grown professionally since you’ve joined the MMQCI team?
I graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor’s degree in finance; however, my first position here was a Customer Service Assistant. So, it was always a goal of mine to move into the finance department if an opening was made available. Over time, I showed that I could take on more responsibilities outside of my normal workload, helping in any area I could, and eventually began to process invoices during our busy periods. When the Financial Analyst I position was posted, I eagerly applied and was promoted to the finance department full time allowing me to use my education in a role contributing to the company’s growth and success.
What, if anything, are you currently binge-watching? Or reading?
I just started watching the new season of Slow Horses on Apple TV. It’s a British spy thriller that has a lot of comedy mixed in as well. I highly recommend it!
What best advice can you give someone who might be interested in joining us here at MMQCI?
MMQCI is a rapidly growing company that is full of opportunities. Check out our website to see if there is an open position that fits your skillset!