Claude Crawford
Vice President, R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality

Claude Crawford is vice president of Applied Biosystems' Research and Development, Manufacturing, and Quality units, a position he has held since joining the company in 2004. He is responsible for development of new technology platforms and applications in the life sciences, as well as for production and quality assurance. Mr. Crawford brings more than 40 years of experience to this position and is a recognized expert in implementation of Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing methodologies to achieve significant improvements in quality and reducing costs.

Prior to joining the company, he was an Executive Master Black Belt at the Six Sigma Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, consulting for Fortune 20 oil and automotive companies.

Earlier, he was responsible for supplying diagnostic imaging systems to the worldwide medical market as Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Eastman Kodak's Health Imaging Group, and Eastman Kodak's magnetic and optical media R&D and operations including Verbatim Corp., Sunnyvale, California.

Mr. Crawford holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Master Black Belt in Six Sigma and Lean, and has attended the Wharton Advanced Management Program.