Our Department Managers are active technicians who oversee department operations & perform quality control functions throughout each stage of production. 

MARY COXON – Quality Control

Mary, Quality Control Manager began working in our Crown & Bridge Metal Department in 1982, fabricating wax-ups & metal frameworks.  After gaining hands-on experience in the Porcelain Department and comprehensive knowledge of all our crown & bridge products, she transitioned to management.  Mary interacts with our doctors on a daily basis, calling with questions regarding shades, materials, margins, etc. She manages work flow within the departments and checks outgoing cases for precision and accuracy.

DJ DAMRON – Model

DJ manages the Model Department in our Fixed lab. He joined our team in 2008 as a Model Technician and has had extensive training in all aspects the Department. DJ’s motto and encouragement to his team is “Do it right the first time.”  He understands the importance of fabricating and articulating a precise model, as it is the foundation of every case.  DJ’s great organizational and leadership skills help the Department run smoothly and efficiently.                                                                 .

SAVAS KILLIAS – Die Trim

Savas, Die Trimming Manager, joined our team in 1991 and received his certification in SPA (Simplified Posterior Anatomy) through PTC (Productivity Training Corporation). He has worked in several departments within the lab; Model, CAD/CAM and Removable. His primary duties include trimming dies & overseeing this department. Savas enjoys interacting with our doctors on a daily basis to ensure their preferences are met. With his attention to detail, he strives for a perfect, passive fit, producing consistent, high-quality work.

 TONY VLASSIS, CDT – General Manager – Crown & Bridge – Ceramics

Tony is our General Manager as well as our Ceramic Manager, overseeing day to day operations in the lab. He graduated from The Polytechnic Institute and University of Maryland in Baltimore, starting his dental career as one of our first employees in 1976. He has had the unique opportunity of working closely with the area’s leading universities, dentists, prosthodontists and patients. He is highly qualified as a consultant in complex, inter-departmental, full-mouth restorations,  product selections, custom shades, cementation options & dental adhesives.

ROBIN ROBINSON, CDT – Quality Assurance – Crown & Bridge – Director of Training

Robin is our Quality Assurance Manager, Crown & Bridge Manager & also our Director of Training. She graduated from the School of Health Care Sciences, Sheppard Air Force Base, TX in 1977 with a degree in Dental Technology & has been with Friendship since 1991.  She was a Certified Instructor in the Air Force &  served on the Base Honor Guard & Rifle Drill Team.  Robin entered the civilian workforce in 1986 & worked for a lab in Anchorage, Alaska for 4 years.  As a Certified Instructor with Productivity Training Corporation (PTC), she mentors Technicians and Administrative Staff in the lab. Her dedication to professionalism is unsurpassed & attention to detail is her passion.

SANDY ZAGRAIEK – CAD Contour – Sculpture

Sandy manages our Stain & Glaze/CAD Contour Department.  Her dental career began in 1980, opaquing in the ceramic department. She received PTC Certifications in Simplified Posterior Anatomy, Contouring Anterior & Posterior Bridges, Anterior & Posterior Porcelain Application & Color In Dental Ceramics. As a senior technician & highly skilled ceramist, Sandy oversees the fit & contour of our Sculpture Full-Contour Zirconia & PFM restorations. Her specialties include implants, large anterior cases & challenging repairs.

MAGGIE SHEEHAN – ZOE Temporaries

Maggie Sheehan, Temporary Department Manager, joined our team in 2013 with an extensive background in art, dedication & a thirst for knowledge. Mentored by Gus Diacoloukas, CDT, Robin Robinson, CDT & Mike Backoff, CDT, she was trained by the best. Maggie is diversely skilled in many departments: CAD/CAM Scanning, Sculpture, Milling Machine Operations, Fit & Contour, Spray Opague, etc. With comprehensive training & experience in anteriors & temporaries (including implants), Maggie is proficient at custom shades, articulates & preps models, works with Gradia & Radica composite materials & trains others. Maggie is very grateful for her daily interactions with our doctors as she proudly provides outstanding temporary products & support.

LISA CRANDELL- e.max®

Lisa manages our e.max® Department. She joined our team in 1988 as a Ceramist & was trained by Tony Vlassis, CDT & Sandy Zagraiek. Lisa received PTC Certifications in Dental Anatomy & Anterior Contours. With an attention to detail & a clear understanding of ingot selection & shade computation, she specializes in large, esthetically-challenging anterior cases. Lisa enjoys the fast-paced dynamics of the dental industry & gains satisfaction in knowing that her work makes a positive impact on patients’ lives.

VALANTI DIACOLOUKAS – CAD/CAM & Sculpture

Valanti (Lan) manages our CAD/CAM Department. He started working with us during the summers of 2009 & 2010, mentored by his grandfather & founder, Gus Diacoloukas. In 2011, Valanti came on board full-time in our e.max® Department, spruing & investing. He received comprehensive hands-on-training from his dad, Nick Diacoloukas & specialized training on our milling machines. Valanti shares the family passion for the industry, as he works closely with our doctors on their digital cases.

MADELINE DIACOLOUKAS – Intraoral Scanning – 3D Printing – Smile Shapers

Madeline joined our team in 2011 as a scanner & designer & also assisted with the work flow in our CAD/CAM department. She now manages our IOS, 3D digital printing & Smile Shapers Aligner departments.

She enjoys helping our doctors learn to scan & become more knowledgeable about the latest technological advances in the industry. She is constantly discovering new ways to successfully 3D print different appliances for a better work flow in the lab.

MIKE BACKOFF, CDT – Implant

Mike, our Implant Prosthetic Manager, obtained his CDT status in 1993. He joined the United States Army’s dental division as a technician in 1981. From 1981 to 1996, he worked in a small, high-quality lab where he trained technicians across various levels of experience. For nine of those years, he was an in-house technician for a perio-prosthodontist, where he acquired his implant experience. Mike joined the Friendship family in 2003, working in the Crown & Bridge, Implant & Ceramic Departments & managed the Implant Department from 2000 to 2019. He now manages the Implant Prosthetic Department, handling complex implant cases & hybrids, specializing in the design & fabrication of difficult prosthodontic/implant cases. He conducts individual training seminars for Implant Specialists to keep them informed on new products & technologies.

MATTHEW JORDAN, CDT – Screw-Retained Hybrid Chairside Conversions

Matthew began his dental career in 1982 & joined our Crown & Bridge team in 2010. He received extensive training in implants & now performs technical duties in both our Implant & Removable Departments.  Matthew is our Hybrid Conversion Specialist, traveling to your office to perform Chairside Conversions for Screw-Retained Hybrid Cases. Call the lab & ask for Kayleigh to schedule a date for chairside assistance on your next All on X case.                                           .

KIRSTEN HUGHES – Implant – Digital Tx Planning – Guided Surgery

Kirsten, our  Implant Manger, joined our CAD/CAM Department in 2012 as a master scanner and troubleshooter.  In 2014, she transitioned into the Implant Department with Mike Backoff, CDT and 35-year senior Implant Prosthetic Manager/Technician. Mike brings the “old school” hands-on/analog experience and Kirsten brings the “new school” computer technology. When combined, they bring the best of both worlds to accommodate your every need. Kirsten oversees day to day operations in our Implant Department & handles Digital Treatment Planning of Surgical Guides as well as scanning and designing implant-related CAD/CAM products; abutments, bars, bridges, ASC Frameworks & IOS Implant Scanning. Her dedication and commitment help ensure the long term success of your cases from start to finish.

GUS KARAGIANOPOULOS, CDT – Removable

Gus, Manager of our Removable Department, joined our team in 1979 as a Crown & Bridge Technician, then 2 years later transitioned to working with removables. With dedication, passion & exceptional artistic skills, Gus is a master at his craft. He & his team have been an integral part of the growth of our Removable Department and he is most excited about the addition of CAD/CAM Digital Dentistry. Gus takes pride in knowing that his work positively impacts patients’ lives.                               .

LOLA GIKAS – Removable

Lola, Assistant Manager of our Removable Department, joined our team in 1996 as a Denture Technician. She has worked with every component & product within our Removable Department, but her expertise is with the setup & creation of premium-quality dentures. Lola has had the distinct privilege of being trained by Gus Karagianopoulos, CDT & former Owner Gus Diacoloukas, CDT Lola directly communicates with our doctors & their staff in the effort to determine the most appropriate products for their patients.

BRIAN JONES, CDT – Cast-Partial

Brian, Manager of our Cast Partial Department, has been a Dental Technician since 1996. In 2008, he joined our Crown & Bridge Department, then transitioned into our Partial Department alongside his father Buddy, who at that time was our Cast Partial Department Manager. Buddy mentored Brian, provided formal training & taught him the fundamentals of cast framework design and fabrication. With an attention to detail & a passion for the industry, Buddy & Brian make a great team, as they still work together today.

ARGIE CHRIST – Accounting

Argie Christ, Accounting Manager, joined our team in 2010.  She began in our Shipping & Receiving Office packing & unpacking cases & entering work into our streamlined, computerized Labtrac system. She soon became Manager of the department, overseeing the day to day operations of incoming & outgoing cases before transitioning to Accounting in 2022.