The Manufacturers Resource Center announces a transition in board leadership as Steve Gergar assumes the role of chairman of the board, succeeding Stephen Weise, who concluded his service on March 27.

At the same meeting, Harry Ciavarella was appointed chairman of the Finance committee.

Gergar, a seasoned financial executive and long-term advocate for manufacturing in the Lehigh Valley, brings decades of leadership experience to his new role.

He is the founder of SG Industrial Properties LLC, following a distinguished career that included serving as vice president, finance and chief financial officer at Hospital Central Services/Miller-Keystone Blood Center. Throughout his career, Gergar has led financial and general management operations, strategic planning, and organizational growth initiatives across manufacturing and technology-driven organizations, positioning him well to guide MRC’s continued impact across the region.

The organization also recognizes and thanks outgoing Chairman Stephen Weise, former executive vice president at Freshpet, for his dedicated leadership and lasting contributions. During his tenure, Weise helped guide MRC through a period of growth and operational excellence while championing initiatives that strengthened regional manufacturing competitiveness.

Weise retired from his role as executive vice president of manufacturing and supply chain at Freshpet Inc., where he led significant operational advancements, including supply chain transformation, cost reductions, and the successful expansion of manufacturing capabilities to support sustained company growth.

In addition, MRC announces that Harry Ciavarella has been appointed chairman of the finance committee. Ciavarella serves as the senior vice president and regional manager of commercial lending at Tompkins Community Bank, where he oversees operations across Schuylkill, Carbon, Lehigh, and Northampton counties.

The Manufacturers Resource Center is a nonprofit partially funded by NIST MEP and Manufacturing PA. For more information, visit www.mrcpa.org.