OUR Staff

IMC contributes to economic growth in Central Pennsylvania through an engaged staff that provide the manufacturers of our region with objective advice, strategic perspective, high value services and solutions through access to regional, state and national resources.

Alan Gehringer | Russ Lawrence | Ed Zubavich | Lauri Moon | Katie Bell
Kim Vanemon | Lauren Bryson

Alan Gehringer, ED/CEO of IMCPA, PennsylvaniaAlan Gehringer, Executive Director

Alan is the Executive Director/CEO of IMC and is responsible for leading the organizational mission to serve small and medium-sized manufacturers with   growth and profitability strategies. Alan previously served as IMC’s Managing Director and was responsible for the sales and consulting operations of the organization.

Alan has more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing.  He held the position of Vice President for his family’s textile business where his responsibilities included profit and loss performance, sales and product development, plant management and domestic and international contracting.  As the Manufacturing Services Manager of an independent manufacturer, Alan designed, staffed and set up several manufacturing facilities within the United States and Mexico, as well as managed the product development activities of the firm.  Alan has also served in the roles of Engineer and Management Consultant where he improved manufacturing methodologies, developed new products and improved organizational performance.

Alan’s primary area of expertise today is business growth strategy and coaching.  He currently serves on the Industry Advisory Board of the Pennsylvania State University Learning Factory, Industry Advisory Board for The Pennsylvania College of Technology, Technology Futures of Northeast Pennsylvania Board of Directors, IRC Network and Pennsylvania’s Heartland Partnership.  Alan has a Master of Business Administration Degree from Saint Francis University and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering Technology from South Polytechnic State University.  He has received extensive training in leadership, top line growth, sales management, financial analysis Lean and Six Sigma.

Alan’s passion is for helping small and medium-sized businesses achieve success.

Russ Lawrence, Senior Business Advisor

Russ, Senior Business Advisor, brings a valuable and diverse collection of experiences
 and capabilities to serve IMC clients. Most of Russ’s professional career has been with PPG Industries, Inc. He worked in PPG manufacturing facilities in the chemicals, primary glass, automotive glass and at their corporate office. Russ began immersing himself in lean / continuous improvement tools and methods in the late 1980s and has applied these approaches to lead numerous operational successes and major change initiatives. He earned an SPHR Certification in human resources and his HR background includes leadership roles and a long list of strategic solutions in areas such as training and development, hiring and selection, environmental, health and safety, organizational development, policy deployment, compensation and benefits.

Prior to joining PPG, Russ purchased and operated a music retail and teaching studio. Despite a challenging retail environment he found innovative ways to significantly expand the business, sold it and it continues to operate successfully. While running the business Russ earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Education from Duquesne University. He has years of experience with ISO, QS and TS (automotive) operating systems, has received extensive management / leadership training and certifications.

Russ has a passion for entrepreneurialism, innovation and performance maximization and a strong belief that manufacturing excellence is the key to prosperity and wealth creation. Along with his business background, Russ has completed twenty marathons, authored a book titled Assembling the Happiness Puzzle, composed and recorded an accompanying musical CD and has done numerous presentations on personal growth and performance maximization.

Ed ZubavichEd Zubavich, Business Advisor

Ed has over 20 years of experience as an Engineer, Vice President of Operations & Sales and President, with a unique range of experience in the areas of technology, specialty products for industrial, medical and nonwoven/paper/film markets. He is a graduate of Penn State University and has a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Ed has expertise in domestic and international manufacturing, marketing, new business & product development and business restructuring. 

Lauri Moon, IMCPA PennsylvaniaLauri Moon, Marketing & Events Coordinator

Lauri joined IMC in November 1990.   In her current position as Marketing & Events Coordinator, Lauri coordinates and supports all logistic functions associated with marketing, seminars, workshops and other organizational activities and events that promote IMC and its services.

 

Katie Bell, Innovation & Market Development Consultant

Katie Bell helps clients develop products, technologies and new business start-ups. Katie has consulted with over 300 entrepreneurs and companies to date.

Katie is enthusiastic and passionate about helping people and companies achieve their innovation goals, assisting them step-by-step along the way. She helps clients think creatively about their concepts and how they can move forward. To date, Katie has helped 14 clients apply for patents, placed 65 interns with local companies and entrepreneurs, allocated over $195,000 toward client research and development efforts, assisted KIZ companies with accessing and receiving over $1.7 million in KIZ Tax Credits from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and created and coordinated the Greenovation Competition of Central PA in 2008 and 2009.

Katie is also a trained Growth Coach for Eureka! Winning Ways, which is a proven process for accelerating reliable innovation and growth; and is a candidate for the Innovation Engineering Black Belt program. She assists companies statewide with utilizing the National Innovation Marketplace, http://www.usainnovation.org.

Katie has a degree in Business from Lycoming College. Her previous experiences as a small business owner in downtown Williamsport has provided her with insight into the struggles of entrepreneurs. She also held career positions within institutions of higher education and previously managed special projects for IMC.

Outside of work Katie is a founder of the Williamsport/Lycoming Young Professionals organization, is a member of the Lycoming County SPCA Board of Directors, is on the Alumni Committee for Leadership Lycoming, and assists with animal rescue efforts.

Kim Vanemon, Accounting Specialist

As Accounting Specialist, Kim is responsible for all accounting functions of IMC.

Lauren Bryson, Statewide IRC Network Coordinator

Lauren’s education and experience are in the areas of marketing and economic development.  Notable marketing successes included key roles in developing a state-of-the-art economic development marketing website, creating numerous marketing materials and coordinating initiatives and events around economic development.  Lauren has extensive experience in leadership, graphics design, market research and strategic marketing plan development.  She has been involved with and completed training in many aspects of economic development including marketing, attraction, retention, workforce development, education, infrastructure and development.  In addition to her experience and education in economic development marketing, Lauren graduated from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing, an Associates Degree in Sales Management, a Concentration in Sociology, and an International Marketing Certificate from Brugge, Belgium.