Kevin Kozak

Kevin started his career in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) and served onboard USS REEVES (CG-24) and USS CHANDLER (DDG-996). He got his first exposure to plant operations and maintenance when he qualified as Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) on a 1200 psi / 950 0 F, oil-fired, steam ship – old school!

He then went on to join a small Diagnostics manufacturing company as a bench chemist. He was eventually promoted to lead Manufacturing. Kevin later joined IDEC Pharmaceuticals. This biologics drug substance manufacturing site eventually became part of Biogen Idec and then Roche/Genentech. While at Roche/Genentech, Kevin held various leadership positions in Operational Excellence (Head of Global Internal Manufacturing OE), Production Scheduling, Project Management, and Facilities Systems. He is currently a Global Senior Principal Operational Excellence Partner at Roche/Genentech.

He holds a BS in Biology from Cornell University and an MBA from San Diego State. He is also a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

One of the best parts about his job is the opportunity to solve problems – especially the difficult, cross-functional ones. The best part about his job is teaching others the tools and techniques needed to solve their own problems! He especially enjoys working with those new to the workforce and seeing them develop and grow their skills. And, his role as an Operational Excellence professional in Pharma Manufacturing gives him the ability to do all this in support of delivering quality medicines to our patients everyday.

Kevin lives in San Diego, California and enjoys surfing, grape growing, and winemaking