Monticello native helps develop low-cost, generic pet medications

Derek Mills
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    Derek Mills, son of Dwight and Linda Mills of Monticello, considers his upbringing in The County valuable. He learned to be honest, pay attention to details and to do the best job you possibly can. Those ethics are guiding his work today.
    Graduating from the University of Maine at Orono, Mills received a B.S. in business marketing and a B.A. in journalism advertising. He moved to Portland and worked for three-and-a-half years for some of Maine’s largest radio stations, as a program coordinator.
    Mills met Jean Hoffman, President and CEO of Putney, Inc., at the gym and that 2007 encounter changed his career path.
    “Jean always sings the praises of Derek,” said Susan Hanley, Putney’s corporate communications manager. “She must have seen a special spark in him. He’s been with the company as one of the first employees and she is very impressed by his contributions. I think Jean would love to get some more gems from The County interested in working for Putney, but mostly she just wanted to let everyone back home know what a great job Derek is doing.”
    Putney, Inc. is developing and commercializing FDA-approved generic pet medicines. Currently 94 percent of all pet medicines have no FDA-approved generics, despite many having expired patents, said Hanley.
    “I was incredibly interested in what they were doing,” said Mills. “So, I joined the team. I am loving every minute of it.”
    Putney’s mission is to partner with veterinary practices to provide high quality medicines that meet pet medical needs and offer cost-effective medicines for pet owners; making pet care more affordable so that pet patients receive the care they need.
    “We are focused on creating generic pharmaceuticals for pets,” said Mills. “I am a big pet lover and have grown up with cats, so I enjoy what I do since it is helping them.”
    Most pet owners pay out of pocket for high-priced brand medicines, according to Hanley.
    “In today’s economy, sometimes when pets are in need of medication, the medicines are so expensive the owners cannot afford to treat the illness,” explained Mills. “With our high-quality generics, we can help veterinarians and pet owners with the cost so pets get treated in the best way.”
    Since Putney, Inc. is working at making veterinary-prescribed drugs more affordable, Mills has a crucial role toward that end.
    As a Customer Service and Logistics Lead, Mills is responsible for both inbound and outbound logistics, inventory tracking and sales analysis. Mills continues to maintain an excellent service record, even as Putney’s sales have steadily increased.
    Mills and his wife Stephanie live in Saco with their two cats Gizmo and Izzie.
     “The County provided me with a great foundation and my close-knit community taught me the value of treating people right,” he said. “I miss The County, but I am really happy working for a company I strongly believe in.”
    For more information on Putney, Inc. call 828-0880.