The CTC Group is comprised of knowledgeable professionals, who possess a wide variety of experiences in consumer product safety, laboratory management and quality systems. Our commitment to our core value of delivering excellent customer service guides our activities every day:

• We will respond to client requests with the utmost speed

• We will listen to you, the client, to understand your unique needs. Your problem will become our problem.

• We will be honest with you and with each other in all dealings

• We will employ the latest technology to deliver our services to you

• Our technical opinions, recommendations and test reports will be accurate, fact based and informative

• We will provide information, not just data

• We will never lose sight of the fact that you are a human being working for a human organization

Angelo M. Fatta, PhD

Ange was co-founder and CEO of ACTS Testing Labs, a global consumer products testing company specializing in toy safety. Ange led ACTS from a small start-up operation in 1973, to an organization of over 700 employees in ten locations, in six countries in 1998, when he sold the company. ACTS was recognized for its reliable turnaround times, knowledgeable and accurate evaluations and unparalleled customer service. Armed with a PhD in chemistry, his vast knowledge of toy safety, and his ever-present “voice of reason”, Ange’s technical opinions and expertise were sought after by many clients and standards making bodies. He was instrumental in developing robust QA systems for leading toy manufacturers, retailers and importers. Ange oversees The CTC Group’s Buffalo laboratory, provides strategic direction to the company and is a vital resource to clients seeking regulatory guidance and expertise in toy safety.

Sean P. Flaherty

Sean brings over twenty years of toy safety testing experience to The CTC Group. He managed the Premiums business line at ACTS, where he was an invaluable resource to clients seeking regulatory expertise, quality assurance plans, design evaluations, training seminars, and other consulting services. Since 2004, Sean has consulted privately for clients through his own company, Safe By Design, Inc. He knows every facet of the premiums safety process, from initial design development to final distribution and sale. Clients truly appreciate both his wealth of knowledge and his friendly approach to conducting business. Sean leads The CTC Group’s consulting office in Chicago.

With over fourteen years experience in the management of toys and hardlines physical testing laboratories, Dan is well versed in US and international standards and regulations. He has developed efficient processes to expedite samples through the laboratory to ensure timely and accurate delivery of test results. Even more than his reputation for technical knowledge and process excellence, Dan is known for his customer service ethic. He is the embodiment of the phrase “The Customer Comes First!” Dan manages The CTC Group’s Physical Testing Laboratory in Buffalo.

Lisa J. Maxwell

Lisa joins the CTC team with over nine years experience at ACTS developing testing programs for clients in the toys, premiums, textiles and hardlines industries.  Working closely with both the client service and technical teams at CTC, Lisa brings her energy, enthusiasm and client development experience to customers who are in search of a laboratory which is truly client focused, quality driven and cost competitive.  As Business Development Manager, Lisa is looking forward to reconnecting with former friends and associates as well as developing relationships with new clients.

A seasoned client services professional, Marybeth brings over ten years of toys, premiums and import testing program development and management skills to The CTC Group. She was instrumental in setting up and managing the Client Services Division for ACTS-Hong Kong and assisting US clients in implementing premiums and import testing programs that met their quality assurance needs and facilitated smooth sample submission procedures for both their US and overseas vendors.  As Operations Manager, Marybeth brings to The CTC Group, a commitment to service, client communications and exacting detail that will ensure client expectations are met, if not exceeded.

Mary L. Regula

As a former ACTS associate, Mary adds a wealth of knowledge and over 20 years of experience in serving the toys and premiums industries. Mary’s broad range of client services experiences uniquely positions her to be effective in managing numerous premiums quality assurance programs, working with marketing agencies and factories as well as large scale retailers and smaller start-up toy companies. As a Client Service Representative, Mary is versed in both US and international regulations and standards, and prides herself on providing clients with prompt, accurate and professional service. If Mary doesn’t have the answer, she will find the answer and she will get back to you.

Raymond V. Piccione, PhD

Ray has worked in the Quality Systems departments of environmental and pharmaceutical laboratories for over twenty-two years. His experience spans the range from FDA 21 CFR Part 58 to NELAC and ISO 17025 quality systems. In addition, Ray is experienced in the tracking of international regulations and standards. As Director of Quality Systems, Ray is responsible for creating and managing The CTC Group’s internal QA system. He is a seasoned consulting resource for clients seeking to develop their own quality assurance systems, track regulatory revisions and/or conduct chemical research.

David C. Ennis

Dave is a senior chemist with nearly thirty years of experience in analytical chemistry within the environmental, medical, and pharmaceutical industries. He is highly skilled in the operation of sophisticated laboratory instruments such as Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). His attention to detail and commitment to quality and customer service provides a reliable chemical testing resource to clients.

Gary J. Smolarek

Gary was a critical member of the ACTS team in the 1990’s. He helped create the Information Management System that efficiently managed the company’s operations and provided real time access to sample status information for clients through its Internet portal access. In addition to the toy industry, Gary has many years of experience developing and managing information systems in the healthcare, apparel, and athletic footwear sectors. He currently owns an IT consulting company which works in partnership with The CTC Group.