The ISPE Delaware Valley Chapter covers Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, Delaware and part of Maryland. The second of ISPE's North American chapters, the Delaware Valley Chapter was formed when it became apparent that there was a sufficient number of members in the area interested in local programming, but unwilling to travel to attend the programs of the fledgling New Jersey Chapter. A small group of volunteers, including John Cocco, Carl Rufino, Bill Brader, Andy Signore, Paul Hallamar and Jim Ricigliano, undertook the task of organizing the new chapter.

The chapter's first program was a discussion on "Commissioning HVAC Systems, led by Bill Brader and Chip Roletto. With 30 participants, by the end of the evening there were 25 charter members for the new chapter.

The first board, elected in 1986, consisted of John Cocco from Rhone-Poulenc Rorer as president, Peter Bigelow of SmithKline Beecham as vice president, Jim Ricigliano of TKLP as treasurer and Bill Brader, also of TKLP, as program coordinator. In the ensuing decade, Bigelow, Brader, Ricigliano, Howard Forster, Jim Dolceamore, Terry Jacobs, Signore and currently Brian Lange have served as chapter president.

The chapter accomplished a number of ISPE firsts. It was the first to host a local event in conjunction with one of the Society's national events, holding a reception during EXPO 1987 at the Hershey Philadelphia Hotel. Delaware Valley also was the first to develop an extended educational course, with the six-week program on pharmaceutical manufacturing in 1992, which has become a standard for other such chapter and affiliate programs.

Over the past few decades, the Delaware Valley Chapter has grown and matured. Today, the chapter has more than 1600 members, and offers a wide-ranging schedule of programs annually, including lectures, panel discussions, facility tours, a vendor exhibit, a holiday social event and an annual golf tournament.

Leadership and dedication to ISPE are not limited to just the local chapter. Chapter members consistently contribute to the fulfillment of the goals of ISPE as board members, educational speakers and course leaders, committee and task force members and seminar participants.

ISPE thanks all, past and present, who have helped the Delaware Valley Chapter achieve a reputation for excellence

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