Building Trust in Every Test: Ron Kilgarlin’s Vision Behind ASC

The Foundation of Trust

From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leadership

When Ron Kilgarlin founded American Screening Corporation (ASC) in 2004, his goal was not just to sell drug testing products — it was to build trust. From day one, Ron believed that accuracy, quality, and speed should never be compromised. Today, ASC is a global leader in diagnostic and drug testing solutions, serving clients ranging from healthcare providers to Fortune 500 companies, all built on that original foundation of trust.

A Vision Born from Experience

The journey began in a modest facility with a small team who shared Ron’s vision. Unlike many entrepreneurs who enter the drug testing industry solely for financial gain, Ron was motivated by understanding the critical role these products play in society. He had witnessed how inaccurate testing could lead to wrongful terminations, compromised safety protocols, and legal complications that devastated both individuals and organizations.

Ron’s background in quality assurance gave him unique insights into the industry’s shortcomings. He recognized that the market was flooded with products that prioritized cost-cutting over accuracy, creating a dangerous gap between what clients needed and what they were receiving. This became the driving force behind ASC’s founding principles: never compromise on accuracy, never sacrifice quality for profit, and always prioritize the end user’s needs.

Building on Solid Foundations

From the outset, Ron established rigorous quality control protocols that would become ASC’s hallmark. Every product underwent extensive testing phases, often exceeding industry requirements by significant margins. This commitment to excellence wasn’t just about meeting standards — it was about setting new ones. Ron understood that in an industry where results directly impact people’s lives and careers, mediocrity wasn’t just unacceptable; it was dangerous.

Why Trust Matters in Drug Testing

The High Stakes of Accuracy

In industries where safety, compliance, and accountability are critical, drug testing plays a central role. Ron understood that when people rely on your product to make hiring or medical decisions, there can be no room for error. That’s why ASC products are designed for accuracy above all — many of which are CLIA-waived, FDA-cleared, and trusted by professionals nationwide.

Beyond Pass or Fail: Lives and Livelihoods at Stake

The stakes extend far beyond simple pass-or-fail results. In transportation industries, a false negative could mean allowing an impaired driver to operate heavy machinery, potentially causing catastrophic accidents. In healthcare settings, inaccurate testing could compromise patient safety. In corporate environments, unreliable results can expose companies to lawsuits and regulatory penalties.

A Human-Centered Philosophy

Ron’s philosophy centers on understanding that every test represents a human life, a career, or a company’s future. This shaped ASC’s approach to product development, where each innovation undergoes rigorous testing phases that exceed industry standards. The company’s quality control processes involve multiple verification steps, cross-referencing with independent laboratories, and continuous monitoring of field performance data.

Regulatory Excellence and Compliance Leadership

The regulatory landscape in drug testing is complex and constantly evolving. Ron positioned ASC to not just meet current requirements but to anticipate future changes. By maintaining relationships with regulatory bodies, participating in industry standard-setting committees, and investing in compliance infrastructure, ASC ensures that clients can rely on products that will remain relevant and compliant as regulations evolve. This proactive approach has saved countless clients from costly compliance issues and regulatory penalties.

Innovation Fueled by Purpose

Solutions-Driven Development

Ron Kilgarlin has always seen ASC as more than a product provider. He’s driven by the belief that innovation must serve a real purpose. Under his leadership, ASC developed cutting-edge multi-panel drug test cups, saliva kits, and alcohol screening devices that are not only easy to use but also deliver fast and reliable results. With built-in temperature strips, adulteration checks, and tamper-proof features, ASC tests are engineered to meet the highest standards.

Field Research Drives Innovation

The innovation process begins with identifying real-world problems that existing solutions fail to address. Ron’s team regularly conducts field research, visiting client sites and observing testing procedures in various environments. This hands-on approach has led to breakthrough innovations that address practical challenges often overlooked by competitors.

Breakthrough Technologies

One significant innovation was ASC’s proprietary cup design that addresses specimen dilution and adulteration. Traditional methods were vulnerable to tampering techniques, leading to unreliable results and expensive retesting. Ron’s team engineered a multi-layered detection system that identifies not just substance presence but also manipulation attempts.

The company’s saliva testing technology represents another example of purpose-driven innovation. Recognizing that traditional urine testing presented privacy concerns and logistical challenges, ASC developed saliva-based tests that maintain accuracy while offering greater convenience and dignity for test subjects.

Advanced Alcohol Detection Systems

ASC’s alcohol screening devices incorporate advanced sensor technology that provides precise blood alcohol concentration readings while remaining simple enough for non-technical personnel to operate. The devices include automatic calibration features, environmental compensation algorithms, and tamper-evident sealing to ensure reliable results in various field conditions. These innovations have made workplace alcohol testing more efficient and legally defensible.

Commitment to Research and Development

Ron’s commitment to continuous improvement drives ASC’s research and development efforts. The company allocates a significant portion of its revenue to R&D, maintaining partnerships with leading universities and research institutions to stay at the forefront of testing technology. This investment has resulted in numerous patents and proprietary technologies that give ASC a competitive advantage while advancing the entire industry.

Global Reach, Local Integrity

Strategic International Expansion

By 2012, ASC achieved ISO 13485 and MDSAP certification, enabling global distribution. But even as ASC expanded internationally, Ron stayed focused on the principles that started it all: integrity, reliability, and impact. From local clinics to overseas governments, ASC delivers with consistency and care.

Purpose-Driven Growth

ASC’s international strategy began with comprehensive market research to identify regions where the company’s products could make the most significant impact. Ron prioritized markets with growing workplace safety awareness, emerging regulatory frameworks, or existing infrastructure gaps that ASC could help address.

Quality Standards and Partnerships

The ISO 13485 certification required ASC to demonstrate that its quality management systems met international standards for medical device manufacturing. Ron established regional partnerships built on shared values of integrity and quality, ensuring ASC’s reputation remains consistent regardless of geographic location.

Cultural Adaptation with Consistent Standards

Each international market presented unique challenges that required careful navigation. Ron’s approach involved deep cultural research and local partnership development, ensuring that ASC’s products not only met technical requirements but also respected local customs and business practices. This cultural sensitivity, combined with unwavering quality standards, has enabled ASC to build lasting relationships in diverse markets worldwide.

Empowering Teams and Clients Alike

People-First Leadership

What sets Ron apart isn’t just his focus on product excellence — it’s his commitment to people. Whether mentoring internal teams or supporting client success, Ron understands that a business is only as strong as its relationships. ASC doesn’t just deliver products; it provides solutions that empower employers, protect communities, and promote safer workplaces.

Building Internal Excellence

Ron’s leadership philosophy centers on empowerment and shared success. He believes that when employees feel valued and equipped with proper tools, they naturally deliver exceptional results. This is reflected in ASC’s company culture, where innovation is encouraged, mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, and individual contributions are recognized.

Beyond Products: Comprehensive Support

ASC’s approach to client relationships extends far beyond traditional vendor-customer interactions. The company provides extensive training programs for client personnel, ensuring they can maximize ASC’s product effectiveness. The technical support team provides genuine consulting services, helping clients navigate regulatory requirements and design comprehensive testing programs.

Industry Leadership and Education

Ron has positioned ASC as not just a product provider but as an industry educator and thought leader. The company regularly conducts webinars, publishes white papers, and participates in industry conferences to share knowledge and best practices. This educational approach has helped elevate standards across the entire drug testing industry while building stronger relationships with clients who view ASC as a trusted advisor rather than just a vendor.

A Vision That Keeps Evolving

Anticipating Future Needs

Even after achieving tens of millions in revenue, Ron continues to push forward — investing in technology, global partnerships, and training. His relentless drive has positioned ASC at the forefront of the drug and alcohol testing industry, not just in scale, but in trust.

Embracing Emerging Technologies

Ron’s vision extends beyond current market leadership to anticipate future industry needs. ASC’s investment in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies represents a significant step toward the future of drug testing. These technologies can enhance result accuracy, identify tampering patterns, and provide predictive analytics that help organizations optimize their testing programs.

Expanding Horizons

The company’s research partnerships with academic institutions are exploring breakthrough innovations such as rapid genetic testing, non-invasive testing methods, and real-time monitoring capabilities. Ron also recognizes the growing importance of mental health in workplace safety programs, developing comprehensive solutions that integrate traditional substance testing with broader wellness monitoring.

Final Thoughts

Ron Kilgarlin built American Screening Corporation on a simple but powerful belief: trust is earned with every test. Today, ASC is more than a manufacturer — it’s a symbol of quality, safety, and reliability. With Ron at the helm, the company continues to lead with purpose, proving that when innovation meets integrity, trust follows naturally.

The story of ASC demonstrates that business success and social responsibility are complementary forces. By maintaining unwavering commitment to quality and integrity, ASC has created sustainable competitive advantage that benefits all stakeholders — employees, clients, and the broader community. As the industry evolves, ASC’s foundation of trust provides the stability necessary to navigate new challenges and opportunities, ensuring the company continues playing a vital role in promoting safety and accountability worldwide.