Long before he became a leader at BioMarin, Travis Wilson honed his craft in the engine rooms of Navy ships, unaware that the skills he picked up would one day translate to a career in biopharma.  

“I was responsible for maintaining essential ship systems such as power, steam to the catapults, hot water and propulsion – enabling all other onboard functions,” says Travis. “I view my work at BioMarin in much the same way in that our team supports all the essential functions that enable us to deliver critical therapies to patients.” 

We caught up with Travis as part of our employee profile series, “The DNA of BioMarin.” The series draws inspiration from the four bases that constitute DNA – A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine) and G (guanine) – by asking employees to reflect on the role that Aspiration, Translation, Connection and Gratitude play in their everyday work.   

Learn more about Travis and how, in transitioning from a Navy mechanic to a leader at BioMarin, he found a calling and a company that aligned with his values. 

ASPIRATION
How did you get your start in the biopharma industry? What do you aspire to accomplish through your work at BioMarin and in your career?

Following my service as a mechanic in a nuclear power plant with the U.S. Navy, I began pursuing career opportunities within the nuclear industry. During that time, I was recruited by a company specializing in calibration and validation services for the biopharma sector, which led to my position as an instrumentation and controls technician in Rhode Island. After several years as a contractor, I was looking for a permanent role and accepted a position at a biotech startup in South San Francisco as a calibration program manager.  

I subsequently worked with several other biotech organizations, before deciding to search for an employer whose mission truly reflected my professional interests and provided flexibility to continue my engineering studies. BioMarin’s commitment to developing treatments for rare conditions strongly resonated with my values, and the company’s tuition assistance program enabled me to further my education while gaining valuable industry experience. 

Going forward, I aim to enhance operational excellence, build resilient and efficient infrastructure and support both our teams and patients. I’m dedicated to developing as a mentor and leader who fosters empowerment, collaboration and ongoing learning, in line with BioMarin’s values. 

CONNECTION
What role does connection play at BioMarin?

Building strong relationships with colleagues and patient families is vital at BioMarin. Over my 15 years here – the longest I’ve spent at one company – these connections have shaped my professional growth and personal life. The organization’s inclusive community encourages every team member to contribute, and this collaborative atmosphere continues to drive collective progress and motivation.  

BioMarin periodically hosts patients and their families, providing valuable opportunities to witness the impact of our work. I was especially moved by a family with two young daughters who joined us at a company town hall to share their story. This family was facing a particularly devastating diagnosis, but seeing the hope and benefits one of our medicines was able to provide was incredibly moving and rewarding. As a father of a young girl myself, this really hit home.  

This is the moment that comes to mind for me whenever I think about our first operating principle (patients are counting on us) and the impact our collective efforts have the potential to create.   

GRATITUDE
Tell us about something you’re grateful for in your career, and why.

I am grateful for the mentorship of our leaders at BioMarin, especially my current manager. He has demonstrated what it means to lead by example and has shown me the importance of connecting with others and building relationships across the organization. His guidance has helped me gain confidence, speak up and recognize the significance of making the most of opportunities for visibility, particularly with senior leadership. 

Personally, I see this as one of the greatest strengths of BioMarin’s culture – being surrounded by incredible people and benefiting from an environment where leaders are truly committed to supporting their teams. The company’s investment in leadership training and development has made a real difference for me, empowering me to both grow and contribute to the positive culture we value so much. 

TRANSLATION
How do you hope your work will translate into impact for the patient communities BioMarin is working to support?

As members of the California Facilities & Engineering (CFE) team, our primary objective is to provide consistent support that ensures smooth and reliable operations. One of our leaders aptly compared CFE to the circulatory system of BioMarin’s sites in Northern California, emphasizing that it provides the essential resources needed for all other departments to operate efficiently.  

Our role is to ensure continuous facility operations and optimal equipment performance, thereby supporting our colleagues throughout the organization in performing their duties effectively. This aligns closely with my experience in the Navy as a nuclear machinist mate. Each day, I aim to bring this same commitment to BioMarin, so that our teams can work without concern of power interruptions or equipment failures and focus on delivering our medicines to the patients and families depending on us.