Agent Biographies:

Jack Pfunder
Executive Director / CEO

Jack comes to MRC with a successful senior management background and an exceptional record of contributions in positions requiring P & L responsibility and skilled leadership in operational systems, project management, strategic and business planning, new business development, relationship management and team building.  His broad experience spans a broad spectrum of core competencies that apply to start-ups, turnarounds, and dynamic enterprises in domestic and international markets.  Jack is known to many in the community as the Chairman & CEO of Ani-Motion, Inc., of Bethlehem, PA.  He co-founded Ani-Motion based on patented technologies that use fiber optics to produce lighted, animated displays on flexible and hardened surfaces.  He built the organization from concept through start-up and management, successfully selling the business in late 2003. 

Prior to the Lehigh Valley venture, Jack was President/CEO of MICROCOM, a $25M, 300 employee supplier to the defense and aerospace industries, in Warminster, PA.  He had  full P&L responsibility and reported directly to the Chairman.  Jack’s defense/ electronics career spanned a variety of leadership capacities wherein he functioned as President, Vice President and General Manager with a variety of notable manufacturing firms.  At REMEC, Inc., a developer of electronic-microwave RF components and sub systems for the defense and aerospace industries in San Diego, CA, Jack was a co-founder, Vice President of Operations and General Manager.  At RENAR Industries, a privately owned manufacturing and design company that supplied power systems and precision gears to the aerospace and defense industries in San Diego, CA, Jack served as President / General Manager with profit and loss responsibilities.  The foundation of Jack’s career includes a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, and an MBA Degree from the University of Dallas,

Jack serves as the President of the Industrial Resource Center Network and is seated on the following boards:  Electrotechnology Applications Center (ETAC), Lehigh Valley Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ), Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board (LVWIB), National Penn Bank, Manufacturing Group, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI), Network of Young Professionals, and the Lehigh Nanotech Network. 

Angie Bove
Training & Development Specialist

Angie brings office management, training and curriculum development expertise to MRC.  Her 14 years of experience comes from public utility companies, call center and pre-press operation.  Her focus is on implementing Operational Excellence into both manufacturing and service companies.  She received her Associates in Business Management from Northampton Area Community College and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at DeSales University.  She is certified with Potential Plus Leadership Core, certified as an Organizational Engineer through the Organizational Engineering Institute, and has completed Advanced Instructional Design through Langevin Training Services.

Ralph Burns
Director of Business Growth Services

Ralph joined the Manufacturers Resource Center to develop the Business Growth Services (BGS) initiative for MRC clients.  He has served industrial market segments for over thirty years covering both domestic and international senior level positions within world class manufacturing organizations. His area of specialty has been focused on executive marketing and sales management for companies that provide B2B industrial products. He has provided: leadership development, product development, market enhancements, sales management and market research skills to internationally recognized companies.  These companies include Victaulic Company of America, Keystone International, Bettis Company and other critical fluid flow component device manufacturers. Ralph has a unique perspective on the industries he supports by having functioned as both a direct employee of manufacturers and also providing objective consulting services to globally based companies. From working alongside executives at
NASA to fire-chiefs in small municipalities, Ralph has both the experience and dedication to positively affect
marketing and sales assignments received.  He has a BS degree in Marketing and Communications from Stephen F. Austin University and has participated in Marketing/Engineering Metrics Programs at Cal Tech. He has been recognized by the Business Professional Advertising and Valve Manufacturers Associations for his contributions to the industries served.

Alan Hall
Business Solutions Advisor, Workforce Development Manager

Alan Hall joined the MRC in 1996 to work with local manufacturers in the identification of their workforce development needs and in the creation of training programs to meet those needs.  Prior to joining the MRC staff, Alan was an Associate Dean and Director of DeSales University, Easton satellite campus, where he managed and trained professional, advisory and support staff; supervised a Job Link Training Program; and was the college liaison for the Greater Lehigh Valley Youth Apprenticeship Program.  He previously owned a construction management company, managed an undergraduate degree program at the University of Vermont, and directed the Northwest New Jersey Manpower Development Program. He is a member of the American Society of Training and Development and the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals.  He holds both a B.S. and M.Ed. from Penn State. 

Walt Hoffert
Director of Client Services & Marketing

Walt joined MRC in 1989 and has assisted with the implementation of over 1200 engagements that helped companies improve their productivity and quality.  Walt has more than forty years of industrial/manufacturing engineering experience including the areas of project management, incentive systems, group technology, cellular manufacturing, flexible manufacturing systems, total quality management, flow manufacturing, labor standards, statistical process control, capital equipment justification and cost reduction programs.  He held positions of increasing responsibility in industrial/manufacturing engineering management with several medium-sized companies engaged in the manufacturing of electrical motor components, material handling systems and cryogenic refrigeration equipment.  After earning a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and a B.S. in Business Administration from Lehigh University, he went on to earn a M.B.A. from Penn State University.

Susan C. Kennedy
Manager of Market Development & Communications

Before joining MRC in 1994, Susan had over twenty years of marketing and planning experience with the electric and gas utility, banking, automotive, paper products, health care and food and toiletries industries.  She has worked for three Fortune 500 companies including Procter and Gamble, Ford Motor Company and Champion International Corporation.  She has extensive background developing marketing/strategic plans, building sales functions, developing creative marketing materials, conducting market research and developing new products and services. 
Susan has a BS in Mathematics from Kutztown University, an MA in Mathematics from Penn State and an MBA in Marketing from Xavier University.  In addition, she is a graduate and certified teacher of the Philip Crosby Quality Program.

Diane Lewis
Associate Business Solutions Advisor
Diane joined the Manufacturers Resource Center in 1989.  Prior to MRC she owned and operated a small retail business in Allentown, PA and gained knowledge of what it takes for small business to stay competitive.  Diane has expertise in federal and state resources, grants, and educational programs which uniquely qualifies her to  match these resources to manufacturers’ needs.  She advanced her role to Associate Business Solutions Advisor and meets with clients to advise and find solutions to help them improve and grow  their business.  In 2009 she gained national recognition at the NIST MEP Conference and received an award for her personal achievements and special efforts in working with customers.  She has a BA in Business Management and a BS in Marketing from DeSales University. 

Jim Marler
Director of Business Performance & Technology Services

Jim is an innovative, results-oriented manager with extensive experience in all aspects of manufacturing, technology, finance, sales, and product development .  Jim brings a strong background in domestic and international manufacturing and technology, union management and contract strategy, engineering and R&D management,  Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Program Implementations, multi-plant /multi-cultural environments, global sourcing strategies, regulatory and legal compliance, sales growth strategies, debt refinancing, facility consolidations, and mergers and acquisition process management.  Jim’s addition takes MRC’s advisory role straight to the corner office.  He is an excellent addition to bolster the MRC mission  to help form the strategic bridge between our top line and bottom line services.  This strategic focus will help our clients realize the full benefits of next generation business strategies.  Prior to joining MRC, Jim was president and CEO of a large plastics company in New England.  He also served as a board member for many private sector companies and economic development agencies.  He has extensive experience in managing global manufacturing and technical groups, capital management, technology transfer, financial analysis and strategy, and leadership/management mentoring.  Jim has a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Delaware. 

Christine Mayernik
Business Solutions Advisor, Schuylkill & Carbon Counties

Christine has 18 years of manufacturing experience, including implementing ISO 9000.  She is considered a change agent for manufacturing improvements and has a wide range of organizational development skills.  She is an expert in designing HR systems that foster High Performance Work Teams and results improvement, as well as implementing large-scale culture change initiatives. She has many attributes that compliment MRC’s host of Lean and  Business Growth Services.  Her hands-on manufacturing experience and vast knowledge of state and federal grants available to manufacturers are an excellent addition to the MRC mission.  Prior to joining MRC, Christine was a Quality Systems and Organizational Development Manager at Highwood USA in Tamaqua, PA.  Christine is experienced in developing and delivering numerous technical and soft skills training courses.  For many years Christine moved through the ranks at Air Products and Chemicals in a variety of roles that included Quality Assurance Manager, Statistical Process Control Coordinator, and Statistician.  Christine holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Cedar Crest College and an M.S. in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from NTU.  She is also a graduate of the Iacocca/MRC Manufacturing Leadership Institute and recently earned her Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.  

Cynthia Miller
BGS Professional Business Advisor

Prior to joining MRC, Cindy worked as Director of Market Development in Physician and Hospital Network Development with Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she was employed for nine years. Cindy also worked as a Marketing Manager with Precision Medical, Inc., Northampton, Pennsylvania, where she was employed for six years.  Earlier employment positions include sales and office management in manufacturing and education environments. Cindy’s wide range of management, marketing and sales skills compliments MRC’s host of business growth services. Her medical and hospital industries experience is an excellent addition to the MRC mission.  As an experienced and successful management/marketing executive, Cindy’s record includes significant contributions to her employers, including developing profitable new/start-up businesses, directing multi-faceted projects, leading sales/marketing efforts, and successfully launching new products to achieve corporate objectives.    Cindy holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Shippensburg University and an MBA in Marketing and Health Care from Wilkes University.

Nancee Noderer
Chief Financial Officer & Director of HR

Prior to joining MRC, Nancee was with Cedar Crest College for four years where she served as Director of Business Services/Controller.  Earlier in her career, she served as financial/operations analyst and general ledger accountant and also has previous experience in the financial area of manufacturing firms.  Nancee brings diverse and extensive experience to MRC.  She oversees accounting, human resources, marketing, information systems, grants, contract management and the MRC Loan Fund.  Nancee holds an MBA from Lehigh University and BS in Management from West Chester University. 

John Nothelfer
Business Solutions Advisor,  Berks County

John joined the founding management team of MRC in 1987 and served for nine years as an Account Manager in the Berks and Schuylkill County areas.  During this time, he earned his Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) credential from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).  Prior to joining MRC, he was with Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., for seven years in various management positions including Development Engineer, Equipment Manager, Engineering Manager, and Assistant Plant Manager.  John left MRC in 1997 to gain additional operations experience as Director of Operations with Ani-Motion, Inc., and as Plant Manager with Lehigh Valley Plastics, Inc.  John has almost 30 years of manufacturing experience improving the profitability and productivity of companies in a wide variety of industries including plastics, metalworking, chemicals, and others.  John earned both his BS in Civil Engineering and an MBA in Business Administration from Lehigh University.  John is an eight year veteran of the United States Air Force.

Ron Williams
Information Systems Manager

Ron  jointed MRC in 1997. Ron is responsible for all network, PC-related issues including hardware installation oversight/maintenance, software installation/maintenance, security issues and user problem intervention.  He has experience as a network operator of Legacy, IBM and HP mini mainframes and Novel Servers.  Since joining MRC, Ron gained certification in Visual Fox Pro Programming, Front Page 98/2000, Windows NT Administration, Supporting Windows NT 4.0/2003, Supporting Windows 95/98/2002, and Creating and Managing an IIS 4.0 Web Server.  He Administers our CRM Saleslogix Database/SQL package.  Also, he has experience with Exchange Servers utilizing the Outlook Clients Software.  Prior to joining MRC, Ron was Senior Computer/Network Operator for the Lehigh University Computing Center and Stanley Storage Systems.  He has an Associates degree in Data Processing Technology from Lehigh Carbon Community College

Mike Withka
Manager of Lean Enterprise Services

Mike joined MRC in 2001 as a Lean Manufacturing Consultant. Mike has over 17 years of manufacturing experience within various industries including roles as manager, supervisor, production engineer and internal consultant. Mike’s areas of focus include production system design, strategic lean transformations, team coaching, training program design, and training workshop facilitator. Mike is certified as a Greenbelt through the Institute of Industrial Engineers and as a Professional Trainer through Langevin Training Services. Mike also has earned an A.S. degree in Engineering Science at Middlesex County Community College in Edison, New Jersey and both B.S. and M.S degrees in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, New Jersey. Mike is currently enrolled in the M.B.A. program at DeSales University in Allentown, Pennsylvania.