18 S T U F F • 2 0 1 9 • StuffMadeinMA.com
Group and a managing board director of
Arthrosurface in Franklin – had started on a differ-
ent path, initially.
Rehabilitation counseling was her first interest,
she said. She got her undergraduate degree in spe-
cial education from Bridgewater State University.
It was while working in a Boston co-op program
with folks who were deaf and blind, said Patisteas,
she realized she liked the business side of the work
more than the counseling side of it. Her master's
degree was in counseling and business support
from Northeastern University in Boston.
But Patisteas sees all experience as relevant and
applicable. Overseeing marketing and finance oper-
ations may seem far removed from working with
people with disabilities, but all experiences offer
value.
"I believe that you don't have to go into some-
thing specific," she said. "Most jobs are on-the-job
Continued from page 17
"I believe that you
don't have to go into
something specific. Most
jobs are on-the-job training.
You have to have aptitude."
- Andrea Patisteas
58%
Amount more the
average Massachusetts
manufacturing worker
earns in annual salary
compared to the average
healthcare and social
assistance worker
Source: U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics
training. You have to have aptitude."
As an example, she tells a story of a maintenance
worker at Primo Medical who now runs a cleanroom
there, having shown an ability to learn and succeed.
With more than 25 years in the field, Patisteas is
also a founder of Cardiosolutions of East
Bridgewater, wearing many other manufacturing-in-
dustry hats as well, with other companies and
Andrea
Patisteas, 53
Senior executive vice president
Primo Medical Group,
Stoughton
Lives: Rochester
In her sights: She is a big
game hunter.
Brienne Allen, president
of the Boston chapter of
the Pink Boots Society
P H O T O / M I C H A E L PA P E T T I
VIDEO LINK
SEE PAGE 3
