Behind the Scenes: Meet the Avanti Innovators - Sue Beumer
Meet Sue Beumer, our dedicated QA Team Lead whose journey at Avanti Research began with a professor’s recommendation and a classmate’s connection—and has flourished into a decades-long career full of growth, grit, and genuine passion. Since joining in 1991, Sue has worn many hats, from QC analyst to team leader, developing deep expertise in quality systems and a heartfelt appreciation for the people behind the science. Whether she’s navigating method validation packets or cheering at Avanti’s 50th anniversary celebration, Sue brings thoughtful leadership, a collaborative spirit, and a lifelong love of learning to everything she does. And when she’s not in the lab? You might find her scrapbooking, leading Girl Scouts, or reminiscing about petting cheetahs in Cape Town.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to work here? My Inorganic Chemistry Professor, Gary Gray at UAB, recommended that I apply at Avanti. I also had a classmate at UAB who worked part time at Avanti.
What is your current role at the company, and what's your typical day look like? I am a QA Team Lead with a wonderful team. We spend our days reviewing QC Data Packets, method validation packets, stability packets, raw material release, and QC modules.
Can you share a particularly memorable moment or experience you’ve had with the company? Avanti celebrated 50 years by having a party at Regions Field for the employees. Dr. Shaw threw the first pitch before the Birmingham Barons started the game. It was nice celebrating together.
How do you approach personal growth and learning in your career? There’s always more to learn and some angle to a problem you probably haven’t thought of. It’s important to learn from multiple people in many areas of the company so that you get a holistic view of how your job fits into the puzzle.
What skills have you developed while working here? During my first 15 years in the QC department, I developed skills in running the various instruments. I really enjoyed HPLC analysis when it wasn’t acting up. In 2006 I joined the QA Department and have learned a good big about quality assurance from my colleagues. I have observed a great deal of improvement in the Quality Unit over the years.
What motivated you to pursue a career in this field and what do you enjoy most about working here? I started college wanting to be an accountant. My cost accounting professor as a great teacher. The managerial accounting professor was not great. Meanwhile, I took chemistry classes and had terrific professors which led me to change my major to chemistry. Teachers make all the different in the paths we take. I have gotten to know so many wonderful people over the years. I still keep in touch with several of the people who have changed careers. I am thankful to have work that I enjoy doing. Not everyone is so fortunate.
Are there any training or professional development opportunities that have particularly benefited you? I thought the Leading with a Purpose modules were beneficial. They made me more aware of my and my teams’ strengths and how to communicate more effectively with people.
How long have you been with the company? Soon after I started at Avanti in September 1991 as a research chromatography supervisor, an opening became available in the QC department. I asked to transfer to QC since I really enjoyed Analytical Chemistry in school. I was the only QC analyst and had to perform al of the testing until January 1994. We had 2 HPLC, 2 GC, UV, FTIR, KFW, and an AA all on one long bench in Building 100. The department has sure grown a lot!
What’s a project or accomplishment you’re most proud of during your time here? I am most proud of our accomplishments with the Covid - 19 project. We all worked so hard to meet deadlines so that we could help reduce the number of people dying from Covid -19.
What do you like to do in your free time? I enjoy spending time with my family, walking with my dog Barkus, scrapbooking, being a Girl Scout Leader, and being active at my church.
What ‘s a fun fact about you that most people might not know? Johan and I went to visit his family in Cape Town in 2002. We went to a Cheetah Outreach center and got to pet a cheetah. We got to see lions, caracals, penguins and baboons. We drove to the tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. It was a wonderful experience.