About Us » Founders & Management:

Richard J. Clunie, B.A., M.S.A.
President/CEO

Rick Clunie has compiled a history of leading small to mid-sized companies from formation to sustained periods of profitable growth. Rick began his career with twelve years in the real estate and construction industries, where he served as President and founder of his own real estate development and general contracting businesses. He then moved on to the manufacturing sector where he served as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, and later Vice-President of Operations of a start-up global outsourcing company. He has also served as Director of Operations, Quality Manager, and International Service Manager for two global manufacturers of industrial capital equipment. Rick has over seven years of experience in the clinical research industry. He graduated from Colby College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and later obtained his Masters of Science in Accounting degree (with high honors) from Southern New Hampshire University. He has passed the Certified Public Accountants examination and is a current member of the AICPA.

Cynthia L. Owens, M.A., C.C.R.C.
Vice President /Co-Founder

Beginning her career in the medical field in 1989, Cynthia has been focusing specifically upon clinical research since 1994. Cynthia is a nationally recognized expert on Patient Recruitment, having served as lead coordinator for over 28 studies in various indications. In addition to co-founding Asentral, Inc. IRB, Cynthia owns and operates a national consulting service, which integrates patient recruitment with clinical operations to improve the overall performance within each research site's unique culture. She has written and implemented standard operating procedures, recruitment plans, staff training manuals, quality assurance guidelines and directed all aspects of public relations for independent clinical research sites. A featured speaker at national symposiums on good clinical practice, Cynthia is recognized as a leader in her field.

Cynthia also does project management and training for Affiliated Monitors, a company that specializes in monitoring licensed practitioners and businesses that have been sanctioned by oversight agencies. She helps licensed professionals to continue practicing while they are also learning how to comply with state and federal regulations.

Bryan F. McDonald, B.A.
Operations Manager

Bryan has been with Asentral since 2007. Prior to joining us, he served in management roles for 16 years at two companies involved in production operations. He has led the daily operating activity of an established manufacturing company and a start-up company that also required implementation of operating protocols to support short- and long-term strategic goals of the organization. Bryan was responsible for establishing and then expanding the company's overseas office in Asia. In 2005, he became an independent consultant working with start-ups and small companies to create and implement strategies including processes, information technology, financial management, sales, marketing and personnel plans. Bryan graduated from Providence College with a BA in Liberal Arts.

Karen A. Konisky, B.S., M.B.A.
Co-Founder

Karen has over 25 years of experience in Clinical Research. After graduating from the University of Maine with a degree in Biochemistry, Karen worked at Children's Hospital in Boston doing research for the Hematology/Oncology Department for 3 years. After a year at Massachusetts General Hospital's Pulmonary Department, she worked as a Clinical Research Associate for Fisons Pharmaceuticals. During this time Karen earned her M.B.A. at Boston University, and in 1989 launched her own Clinical Trials Consulting business. In 1990, she also started Sitebase Clinical Systems, a remote data entry software business, where she served as vice-president until 1997. Karen has been involved in many aspects of phase I through IV clinical trials, giving her a unique appreciation for the complexities and challenges facing the Pharmaceutical Industry.