When Luminex began selling directly to customers instead of solely through distributors, we had to build not only a sales force but also a highly skilled team to support those in the field. Meghan Procopio, now Manager of Global Sales Support, launched the operation that allows our sales representatives to maximize their time working with prospective customers. The Boston-area native earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Massachusetts and has been with Luminex since 2012.
Q: What are your responsibilities at Luminex?
A: I head up a group that quarterbacks operations for the external molecular diagnostic sales team. We handle a lot of the presale activity, such as managing Salesforce quotes and pricing and generating contracts, and also completing bids and solicitations to win prospective customers — anything that helps the business managers when they’re closing the deal. Then, we manage the coordination and shipment of contracted instruments to the customer as well as enter all molecular diagnostic orders. I oversee a team of five sales support specialists and two order management associates based out of our Austin and Chicago offices. Our end goal is the success of the sales team.
Q: What did you do before this job?
A: I worked in client relations for a clinical toxicology lab where I supported a team of sales reps out in the field. That was in the Boston area, and it was a much smaller company with a completely different customer base.
Q: What drew you to Luminex?
A: The Boston winters were brutal. When my husband had an opportunity to transfer for his job, we decided to relocate to Austin, which we had always loved. When I got here, Luminex jumped out to me as a company where I could transfer my customer service skills. They have quite a presence in Austin!
Q: Ever miss those New England winters?
A: I love the weather down here, but sometimes I do miss the blizzards and craziness — but not enough to ever go back to it. I do not miss digging my car out of two feet of snow.
Q: If you weren’t a sales support manager at Luminex, where would you be?
A: Growing up, I always wanted to go into sports medicine. I thought I would be a trainer for a professional sports team. My mindset changed as I approached college and I became more interested in business.
Q: Does that mean you’re a Patriots fan in Cowboy country?
A: I am an absolute diehard Boston sports fan, especially the Patriots. My big Patriots sign gets met with different kind of responses around the office, but I hold my own with Cowboy fans.
Q: If you could solve any clinical or genetic challenge, what would it be?
A: I would want a cure for any and all types of cancer. My husband is a cancer survivor. It was years ago, but I still see how it affects his life every day.
Q: What is something about you that no one at Luminex knows?
A: I’m very quiet in the office, so most people probably would never guess that I was a college cheerleader. I was pretty serious about it and even won a national title.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Austin on the weekend?
A: Anything outside. My husband and I say this every winter: we love Austin because you can be outside year-round here. We have a 3-year-old son, and we’re always trying to find fun new parks and places to take him. I also love eating my way around Austin and trying new restaurants.
