Whitney Cheek
Atlanta
Summary
Accomplished Research Specialist and Sales Professional with a strong history of surpassing goals by cultivating client relationships and effectively communicating technical solutions.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Technical Sales Specialist, Cell & Gene Therapy
BioIVT
Woodbury, NY
02.2025 - Current
- Serve as technical expert for human biospecimens (normal, diseased, clinical or GMP-grade), including blood products, tissue, biofluids, and custom sample collections
- Support translational research, CGT platforms, biomarker discovery, and clinical development programs
- Achieved $4.3M in revenue attainment for 2025 (Central Region) by expanding existing accounts, converting new opportunities, and building relationships with technical buyers.
- Represents CGT Business Unit at seminars and workshops
Business Development Manager
Element Materials Technology
Acton, MA
06.2024 - 02.2025
- Provided outsourced testing services and certifications to Pharma/Biotech, CDMOs, Hospitals, or Med Device companies for clinical testing and regulatory validation studies, raw materials, microbiology/virology, extractables and leachables, environmental monitoring, and IV/ Chemo rooms
- Drove profitable sales expansion with a focus on acquiring new and re-engaging with dormant accounts, while growing existing clients
- Prepared reports and presentations showing sales volume by sector, region, location and potential sales
- Maintained a $7M pipeline resulting in Q3-Q4 2024 quarterly performances >92% to plan meeting overall KPI metrics
Business Development Executive
Charles River Laboratories, Cell Solutions Inc.
Northridge, CA
09.2021 - 05.2024
- Independently traveled to tradeshows and seminars to prospect, increase brand awareness and communicate with clients
- Responsible for $3.5M in Southeast, Central US and Canada territories
- Strategic attendee on Business Optimization/ Process Improvement calls analyzing 2022-2023 sales data for different product lines to improve pricing and order intake processes.
- Worked directly with CRL Project Managers to provide effective end to end solutions for both upstream and downstream management with existing or new customers focused on cell and gene therapies.
- Ensured timely monitoring and delivery of contract terms and milestones for GMP projects.
- Communicated VOC to Marketing to improve customer experience and anticipate market changes.
- Developed business proposals, SOWs and technical presentations of CRL product portfolio for client needs, distribution training or educational opportunities
Senior Business Development Manager
Lonza Walkersville, Inc.
Walkersville, MD
11.2017 - 09.2021
- Responsible for $3.8M in Southeast Territory comprised of academic, government and biotech/pharma accounts
- Achieved 115.34% to annual sales quota in 2019
- Responsible for product sales of cell culture, transfection product lines, human & animal primary cells, specialty and FFM media, endotoxin testing, assays, custom bioservices, molecular biology, and cell and gene therapies
- Successfully launched PyroTec Pro Automated Solution for endotoxin detection, Generation 2 4D-Nucleofector Technology and Cocoon platform for cell-therapy manufacturing.
- Leveraged cross-functional information sharing and technical seminars with assigned Product Support Specialist, Scientific Support Teams and Product Managers
- Promoted from Research Sales Specialist managing National Institutes of Health (NIH) account by growing business from $1.1M in 2017 to $1.7M in 2018, achieving 215% to Prior Year Sales
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Research various methods for lab growth and survival of microbial forensics and biodefense bacterial pathogens: Yersenia Pestis, Francisella Tularensis and Burkholderia pseudomallei
- Executed Real-Time PCR on Chelex and Qiagen samples to quantitate DNA
- Performed presumptive and confirmatory serological test for blood and bodily fluids (saliva, urine, feces)
- Implemented laboratory techniques such as aseptic technique, bacterial species isolation from cell cultures, plating techniques, serial dilutions, Acid Fast staining, Gram +/- staining, autoclaving and ELISA
Education
Master of Science - Biotechnology
Johns Hopkins University
05-2018
Bachelor of Science - Forensic Science
Virginia Commonwealth University
05-2012
Skills
- New Product Launches
- B2B
- Negotiation Skills
- Consultative Selling
- Knowledge of cGMP, FDA and ICH regulations
- Cell Culture Techniques
- Proficiency in Microsoft CoPilot, SalesForce, Dynamics AX, CRM, Word, Excel, Power BI
- Post-sales support
- Market research
- Lead generation
Certification
- Sandler Sales and Negotiation October 2024
- Mercuri International Sales February 2020
Timeline
Technical Sales Specialist, Cell & Gene Therapy
BioIVT
02.2025 - Current
Business Development Manager
Element Materials Technology
06.2024 - 02.2025
Business Development Executive
Charles River Laboratories, Cell Solutions Inc.
09.2021 - 05.2024
Senior Business Development Manager
Lonza Walkersville, Inc.
11.2017 - 09.2021
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Virginia Commonwealth University
08.2012 - 05.2013
Bachelor of Science - Forensic Science
Virginia Commonwealth University
Master of Science - Biotechnology
Johns Hopkins University