2024-2026 Quality Council Officer Slate

Christy Martinelli, CTBS
Precision Allograft Solutions

Professional Bio
Christy Martinelli has over twenty years of leadership experience in the tissue banking industry in a variety of roles, most recently as the Vice President of Tissue Bank Operations at Precision Allograft Solutions. Her long career extends across multiple divisions including quality, regulatory affairs, change control, supplier management, processing, validations, product development, distribution, and inventory management in small to larger corporate and international settings. 

As the current Vice-Chair of the Quality Council (2022-2024) and a long-time Certified Tissue Bank Specialist, she has been an active member of the American Association of Tissue Banks since 2003. Most recently serving as a member of the Accreditation Committee (2019-2024), and in the Quality Council subgroups for the Annual Meeting Quality Track Planning (2022-2024), Supplier Quality Agreement Tool (2022-2023), and Change Control Best Practices Tool (2024).

Statement Outlining Vision and Goals for the Council
"As Chairperson of the Quality Council, Christy's goal will be to engage the substantial expertise of our Quality Council members to take a hands-on approach in the selection, support, and implementation of Quality Council initiatives. In addition, her focus will be on working with other AATB leadership and members to further collaborate with other councils and committees to ensure the association is providing meaningful guidance to our members in an evolving regulatory environment."

Delhy Arias
BioTissue Holdings, Inc.

Professional Bio
Delhy Arias is the Sr. Regulatory Affairs Manager at BioTissue Holdings Inc. She has been with BioTissue for the past 15 years where she has held other roles in Production and Quality Assurance. She became a CTBS in 2012 and is a Certified Quality Auditor and Certified Biomedical Device Auditor under ASQ. Delhy earned a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering and Master's in Engineering Management from Florida International University. She currently serves as Secretary of the AATB Quality Council. Delhy was part of the QC Workgroup for Initiative #5 AATB Quality Agreement Educational Resource Tool and was a speaker of the AATB webinar "Using the AATB Quality Agreements Tool to Codify and Improve Your Supplier Relationships."

Statement Outlining Vision and Goals for the Council
"In these past couple of years, Delhy has witnessed how member interest and engagement has increased in the Quality Council. As Vice-Chairperson, Delhy is committed to continuously support Quality Council members and leadership team, maintain effective communication, and continue to promote a growth mindset in Quality Council meetings. Delhy envisions a Quality Council where members have the opportunity to network often, learn from each other, contribute to the tissue banking industry, and feel valued for their commitment to Quality, Safety, and Excellence."

Emily Biloski, HBSc, CTBS, CMDA 
Lake Superior Centre for Regenerative Medicine (RegenMed)

Professional Bio
"I have been part of the Tissue Banking industry since 2014, when I joined the RegenMed Quality Department as a QCQA Specialist. I obtained CTBS in 2016 and subsequently joined the AATB Quality Council, where I have continued to seek ways to get involved with Council initiatives. To date, I have been a member of the working group that aligned the definitions in the Standards with other regulatory bodies, have participated twice on the Quality Track Topics subcommittee, and am presently Chair of the Change Control Best Practices subgroup. I have also recently joined the Accreditation Committee, and have found the work of the Committee to be particularly fulfilling. With a particular interest in audits and CAPA, I developed RegenMed's audit program, transitioning my job title to Lead Auditor in 2020 and obtaining my CMDA certification in 2021. In 2022 I was promoted to the role of QARC Manager, where I have been diligent in RegenMed's commitment to quality and continuous improvement. I have a strong drive to accomplish goals and am not afraid of putting in work to create positive change!" 

Statement Outlining Vision and Goals for the Council
"Quality is at the heart of tissue banking, and needs to be well supported within organizations and across the industry. I would be honored to bring my enthusiasm for the work we all do day to day to the Vice Chair position, and to see the Quality Council continue to foster tools, educational material and sessions that support and encourage council members and their organizations." 

Robert Hernandez, MS, CMQ/OE, CTBS
LifeLink Tissue Bank

Professional Bio
Robert Hernandez, Director of Quality at LifeLink Tissue Bank, is a leader with professional experience in quality, regulatory affairs, laboratory testing, and operations. With over 15 years of experience, Robert has established himself as a leader in developing innovative processes and implementing risk-aware systems across several prominent tissue banks. Robert is skilled in strategy planning and deployment, and is passionate about continuous improvement.

Robert's academic credentials include a Master of Science degree in Drug Regulatory Affairs from the University of Florida, and undergraduate studies in Geology and Zoology. Robert is certified by the American Society for Quality as a Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence. Robert obtained the Certified Tissue Banking Specialist certification in 2013. Robert has participated in the Quality council, and has been an active member of the Education committee. 

Statement Outlining Vision and Goals for the Council
"I envision leading the Quality council toward innovative solutions that enhance tissue banking standards, foster professional growth, and ensure success for our council members and member organizations. By leveraging my experience in quality systems improvement and strategic planning, I envision a Council that drives industry excellence and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

Here are a few of my goals for the Quality Council:
1. Establish a strategic plan for the Council with input from members to guide the our activities and ensure alignment with AATB's broader mission.
2. Foster a collaborative environment within the Council where members can share insights, challenges, and solutions. 
3. Lead the development of risk-based tools for quality management."

Erin Butler
South Texas Blood and Tissue Center

Professional Bio
"I am currently a Senior Manager in Quality & Compliance with BioBridge Global and has been with the company since 2010. I have 6 years of experience in biological testing services under Qualtex Laboratories and over the last 8 years gained experience and knowledge with BioBridge Global-South Texas Blood and Tissue in quality and regulatory role, providing support to cadaveric and living donor tissue recovery and processing, cord blood banking, blood banking and cellular therapy collections. 

I hold a BS in Biology from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and I am an AATB Certified Tissue Banking Specialist."

Statement Outlining Vision and Goals for the Council
"Provide support to the Quality Council elected leadership and members to ensure a productive and meaningful year with this council. Vision of this position would be to ensure every member feels valued, connected and included in decisions made within this council and be a reliable member as a officer on the council."

Jason Morton, B.S., CMQ/OE
LifeShare Tissue Services, Inc.

Professional Bio
"Jason's on the case, guaranteeing quality all over the place!"

Jason Morton is a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement professional with 25+ years working in highly regulated industries such as OPO, Tissue Banking, and Blood Banking. Skilled in ensuring compliance with multiple regulatory bodies, including FDA and CMS. Jason currently serves as the Vice President of Quality Systems at LifeShare Network in Oklahoma since 2020, with previous employment at Southwest Transplant Alliance and RTI Donor Services. Jason served on the Quality Council from 2018-2020, and again from 2022 to present. He is a CMQ/OE from ASQ, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. He is a member of the AOPO Leadership Development Committee, as well as the region 4 representative for the OPTN Pancreas Transplant Committee. 

Statement Outlining Vision and Goals for the Council
"My vision for the AATB Quality Council is maximizing collaboration, education, and continuous improvement in a platform that creates and deploys best practices across all aspects of tissue banking. My goals for the council include:
1) Foster positive collaboration between recovery agencies, processors, and all organizations that contribute to tissue banking activities to promote best practice sharing 
2) Promote education and awareness regarding tissue quality issues and advocate for continuous process improvement and sustained performance excellence
3) Inspire and empower our council members to bring back valuable information to their organizations as champions of driving innovation and enhancing tissue standards" 

Amanda Whelan, CTBS, CSSGB
New England Donor Services, Inc.

Professional Bio
"I joined the tissue banking industry over 13 years ago, starting my career speaking with families to offer the gift of tissue donation. I then transitioned into the Quality department where I currently am serving as Director, Quality Assurance at New England Donor Services. I have led and participated in projects covering all aspects of the tissue donation process. I received a BS degree in Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I have been CTBS certified since 2014 and have been a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt since 2017."

Statement Outlining Vision and Goals for the Council
"As Secretary of the Quality Committee my goal will be to support all engagement and growth efforts spearheaded by the committee. My experience in project management would ensuring effective and timely communication to keep all members informed and knowledgeable about next steps."