Management Profiles
Edward McMahon
President & CEO
Ed is an entrepreneurial business leader who has been involved in building privately held and public companies. As President & CEO he successfully led Epec through the strategic consolidations of two companies. Mr. McMahon has been involved in the acquisition and integration of several companies in the circuit board industry over the past 3 years both domestically and in the Far East.
He is an engineering graduate of Clarkson University and did his MBA graduate studies at Northeastern University in Boston. Prior to building Epec, Ed was Vice President of Heritage Environmental Services, LLC where he oversaw the acquisition and development of distressed and underutilized businesses throughout North America. Prior to joining Heritage, he spent 6 years with Ashland Chemical Company, a division of Marathon/Ashland Petroleum, where he focused on the turnaround of non-performing locations within the company.
John Stabers
Executive Vice President of Sales
John is a recognized leader in the PCB industry, with over twenty-five years of experience in building world class field sales and service teams.
John’s most recent position was as SVP - Business Development for Sanmina SCI’s PCB Division, one of the largest PCB Companies in the world, where he successfully reinvigorated and refocused the entire organization. Prior to Sanmina, John held Sales leadership positions at Teradyne High performance Printed Circuit Boards, Westwood Associates, and Hadco Corporation.
His proven experiences in PCB sales and customer growth initiatives ideally position him to lead Epec’s long term business development, focused on value added PCB solutions.
John earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and was a U.S. Coast Guard License Third Assistant Engineer.
Rob Forand
Director of Administration
Rob has fifteen years of experience driving Information Technology initiatives in the legal, professional services, and manufacturing industries. As a software engineer, he managed the development and integration of complex B2B and content management solutions. His broad expertise in IT infrastructure and large enterprise applications lends itself to driving the global enterprise technology solutions of Epec.
Before joining Epec, Rob managed the IT operations of several large international companies including Ahead Headgear, the global leader in golf apparel and Edwards & Angell, LLP, a $500 Million, multi-office law firm headquartered in Providence, RI. In these positions he was a key leader in architecting infrastructure solutions, data center build-outs, implementing improved technology platforms and technology integrations between mergers and acquisitions. He received his B.S. Degree in Computer Science from The University of Massachusetts.
Kendall Paradise
Director of Operations
Kendall occupies a unique position in Epec in that she has grown up entirely in the Printed Circuit Board Industry. Kendall’s family owned and operated Beaver Brook Circuits until its acquisition by Epec in 2002. Kendall graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2001 at which time she returned to the family business. Her primary focus was in Accounting which gave her an invaluable perspective on what it takes to successfully operate in such a competitive environment as this. In addition she successfully oversaw the creation and implementation of new Purchasing procedures which have come to form the basis for Epec’s very effective Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management model so vital to Epec’s continued success.
In addition, at the time of the acquisition of Beaver Brook by Epec, Kendall was asked to accept the assignment leading Customer Service. This experience, which brought her into direct contact with customers, has proven critical as Kendall continues to shape Epec operating plans aimed at meeting those customers’ needs which Kendall came to understand during this time.
Her unique career perspective combined with her disposition to action and a commitment to continuous improvement bode well for Epec’s continued growth.
Lisa Berche
Finance Director
Lisa is responsible for analyzing and developing the financial solutions that continue to improve Epec’s long term financial strength. Lisa joined Epec in 1999, as a full-charge bookkeeper and became the Controller in 2003. As Epec’s controller, Lisa successfully led Epec through several acquisitions, developed and oversaw all financial audit procedures, and built the accounting department to support the Company’s growth plans.
Lisa is a member of Epec’s Board of Directors and has many years of experience in audit and finance, including roles at Buffets, Inc. restaurant chain and Mechanical Energy Systems.
Anton Beck
Components Division Manager
Anton came to Epec with over 25 years of board manufacturing experience. Prior to joining the Epec team, Anton worked with Syrtek as their production manager for several years. His background includes all manufacturing processes from design to fabrication. With the acquisition of Syrtek, Anton has been with Epec over the past 5 years focused on developing our Asian infrastructure, to continually improve our value added supply chain organization.
Anton’s responsibilities include researching, qualifying and auditing our component and sub-component supply chain facilities to ensure Epec’s world class standards to our customers are maintained. He works closely with both our domestic and Asian planning/logistics departments to assess and resolve any challenges that may arise from our global business strategy.
Katy Burnham
Director of Quality & Engineering
For the past twenty five years, Katy has learned virtually every facet of the PCB Industry, with a passion for continuous improvement, and has become one of Epec’s most effective leaders.
Katy has successfully transitioned from the factory floor, where she began at Inner Layer touch up and was promoted to Layer Line Supervisor. After learning most of the equipment, controls, and processes in the factory, Katy’s desire to make processes work better led her to become a Process Engineer at Advance Circuits, Inc., a PCB facility in Minnesota.
After mastering the Process Engineering role, Katy accepted a position with PDI, Inc as Engineering Manager, with the responsibility for improving quality, reducing scrap rates, and increasing on time delivery. Katy remained PDI’s Engineering Manager until December 2002, when Epec acquired the Company.
After Epec acquired PDI in 2002, Katy transitioned to Customer Service Manager, leveraging her extensive factory, engineering, and management experience. After transforming the Customer Service department, Katy was promoted to Director of Quality & Engineering, where she is helping Epec deliver continuous improvement at all levels of the Company.
Wellong Yu
Asian Operations Manager
Wellong has over fifteen years experience growing PCB Operations in China and is known for his open minded, collaborative, hard working, and passionate approach to business. Since joining Epec, Wellong has successfully led the growth of Epec’s Asian Operations, with a dedicated focus on enhancing quality and on-time delivery.
Before Wellong Joined Epec, he was a manager at EPC, one of China’s larger PCB manufacturers. At EPC he led the production planning, scheduling, and logistics for several manufacturing plants. Prior to being recruited by EPC, Wellong worked at Wong’s Circuit Company, where he was promoted from Production Supervision to Material Control Manager.
Wellong is a graduate of South China Science & Technology University on 1989, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Automatic Controls.
Dana M. Laflash
Corporate Controller
As Corporate Controller, Dana is responsible for executing all of the company’s internal and external reporting as well as ensuring that these documents comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Additionally, she assumes responsibility for maximizing the return on Epec’s financial assets and for establishing financial policies, procedures and reporting systems.
Prior to joining Epec, Dana was the Senior Accounting Manager with Janco Inc. She has held a similar role with East Bay Community Development Corp., serving as the Chief Financial Officer throughout her 6 year tenure. Dana has a solid track record in finance and organizational leadership with expertise in accounting, auditing and financial analysis.
Dana graduated Summa Cum Laude from Thomas College in Waterville, Maine.
Sharon Bartnik
Planning & Logistics Manager
Sharon is one of Epec’s most versatile employees who has served in critical roles during her 20+ years at Epec.
She has helped shape the changing face of Epec by serving in various capacities through the years.
Sharon’s extensive printed circuit board manufacturing, operations and business process knowledge, borne of experience in engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and planning makes her uniquely qualified to oversee Planning and Logistics. This function, central to Epec’s success, is a vital core competency which requires extensive factory knowledge and an ability to facilitate the optimum solution for our customers. Sharon has helped develop and refine this ability as business needs have dictated.
Her commitment to continuous improvement coupled with her extensive practical experience assures Epec’s continued focus on this expanding capability.
Sharon is a graduate of Kinyon-Campbell Business School.
Chris Perry
Quality Manager
Chris has been with Epec 11 years, including 8 years manufacturing experience within a quality control role and 2 years in the front end planning department. As a lab technician, Chris analyzed and maintained chemical processes within bare board manufacturing, while aiding with overall quality in all departments. He also monitored and maintained the company wastewater facility to comply with local environmental agencies.
As Epec has grown, Chris has continued to accept new responsibilities within the company. Chris has also held the role of PCB planning, where he learned the entire process, through customer delivery.
Chris has been certified through Addstan Management Systems as an ISO 9001:2000 Internal Auditor, and most recently received IPC-A-600 Certified IPC Specialist from Eptac Corporation. Chris received his A.S. degree in Environmental Science at Bristol College, was certified as Class III Industrial Wastewater operator, and also was certified as an emergency response operator.