Ben Franklin News
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP) has announced the appointment of Douglas Engler as Regional Manager, Lehigh Valley. Engler will succeed Robert S. Thomson, III, who will retire on June 30.
Engler will lead and actively contribute to the regional technology ecosystem, working with business and industry groups, economic development colleagues, higher education institutions, and other community leaders. As a member of the Ben Franklin portfolio team, he will also review, advise, and critique proposals of prospective clients from throughout BFTP/NEP’s 21-county service area.
Engler brings more than 25 years of engineering and manufacturing experience to his new role. Before coming to Ben Franklin, he was the Corporate Technical Manager at Reeb Millwork Corp., Bethlehem, responsible for manufacturing engineering, continuous improvement, and quality in seven manufacturing facilities in five states. While there, he created and implemented a corporation-wide ISO quality system, internal communications system for idea sharing, and led the implementation of quality groups and standard methods at each facility.
Prior to joining Reeb, Engler served as Engineering and Quality Manager at Lehigh Valley Plastics, Inc., Bethlehem, where he had P&L responsibility for the facility. He also previously worked as Program Manager at Mancor PA, Inc., Allentown and Director of Production at Brenner Aerostructures, Bensalem. Engler was an aerospace engineering consultant for 15 years, advising clients in advanced manufacturing on various aircraft structural, bonded, and composite assembly approaches.
Engler earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from Athabasca University, Alberta, Canada, and an Aviation Manufacturing Engineering Technology degree from Confederation College, Ontario, Canada. He received a Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University. An avid motorcycle rider and builder, he is active with Delaware Valley Trail Riders, organizing its annual charity ride benefitting Toys for Tots of Schuylkill County and serving as its secretary. He resides in Emmaus.
