Beacon Systems has assembled a true “All-Star” team of professionals who have spent their careers in the logistics industry. All of the personnel listed below are full-time, regular employees of Beacon Systems. We have a level of expertise within our organization that we feel is unmatched in the US, in such areas as high speed sortation, automated storage and retrieval, warehouse management software, structural engineering, and systems integration.
 

GEORGE YFANTOPULOS

George Yfantopulos is the founder and President of Beacon Systems. He started in the industry in 1993 shortly after earning a degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire. George also serves as the Vice President of the Boston Chapter of the Warehouse Educations and Resource Council (WERC). Working at the family diner while growing up, George learned early on that in a customer’s eyes, you’re only as good as the last meal you served. George was the social director of his college fraternity, a role many feel that he has yet to relinquish.
 

PAUL NICHOLSON

Paul Nicholson is the Vice President of Beacon Systems. After spending several years in the stadium construction business, Paul joined the industry in 1988. “At the time, I figured that the Skydome in Toronto was going to be the zenith in stadiums. In retrospect, it was more like the abyss.” Paul earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of New Hampshire and is a licensed structural engineer. He is a loyal New York sports fan, student of American history, and enjoys coaching kids in baseball and basketball.
 

KEVIN AHERN

Kevin is the Director of Operations for Beacon Systems. He started in the industry in 2000 at the urging of his brother in law, George Yfantopulos. Kevin has spent all but six months of his life in Lowell, Massachusetts. After transferring to the University of Hawaii from the University of Lowell, he decided that he could only handle so much good weather. He returned to Lowell and hasn’t left since.
 
 

Derek is the Director of Sales for Beacon Systems and a founding member of the company. As a ten year veteran of the business, Derek has had a very successful career selling material handling solutions across the Bay State. Derek now directs our sales team and supports his “loyal customers” on a daily basis. An avid Boston sports fan, Derek can be spotted at any of the major teams’ home games frequently. Derek holds a bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
 

ROBERT LUTZ

Bob came on board as a principal of Beacon Systems in November 2003. Another long time veteran to the material handling industry, Bob has been providing solutions to high profile companies across New England and beyond for more than 19 years. When Bob is not traveling the country with clients he can be found on the golf course or spending time with his family on Lake Sunapee. Bob holds a degree from the University of Massachusetts/Lowell.
 

FRANK McCABE

Frank is the Director of Business Development for Beacon Systems and has been in the industry since 2000. Prior to that, Frank worked for a software company in Boston, MA as a Marketing Communications Manager. Frank oversees all of Beacon’s business partnerships as well as its marketing efforts. With a bachelor’s degree in History from the College of the Holy Cross, Frank did not see a career in supply chain consulting in his future; but in retrospect it seems to be working out just fine!
 

ERIC MADORE

Eric joined Beacon Systems in January of 2004 as our controller. He comes to us after having spent 13 years as a finance manager for Acura of Boston. His experience helps give our customers creative financing options as well as handling our day to day accounting duties. He is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice. He enjoys spending his free time playing softball, cheering for the Red Sox and Patriots and playing an occasional poker game.
 

PETER MARTIN

Peter Martin joined The Beacon Group in April 2007 as an Executive Member of the company. Prior to joining Beacon, Mr. Martin was employed as Senior Vice President of Supply Chain & Technology at Welch's Foods Inc, the world's leading marketer of Concord and Niagara grape-based products.  During his fourteen year tenure at Welch's, Mr. Martin held several high level positions including Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Product Marketing and Director of Domestic Marketing.  Mr. Martin led many of Welch's major initiatives in recent years.  He managed the supply chain for Welch's including all internal and external manufacturing.  His duties also included managing Research & Development, Corporate Quality, and Corporate Engineering.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Martin worked for Proctor & Gamble and EJ Gallo Wine.

Mr. Martin will focus on Sales and Marketing initiatives for The Beacon Group.

Mr. Martin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College and has completed several executive training programs at Harvard Business School and the Darden Business School.

CHRIS BEALE

Chris is the company’s Operations Manager. Chris’ role involves ‘all things process’; from purchase orders to invoices Chris lives to keep the Beacon world in order! A long time veteran in the sales administration and coordination world, Chris is the key in making sure things get done and get done right. When he is not neurotically managing a wide range of office duties, Chris enjoys playing the drums, cooking, watching the Boston Celtics and spending time with his wife and two daughters. Chris resides in Methuen, MA.

TED ELKINS

Ted joined Beacon Systems in 2004 as a member of their Consulting team. He started in the industry in a role where he sat on the other side of the desk – working as the Director of Logistics for a healthcare products company. With multiple facilities located across the United States and with procuring material handling systems one of his many responsibilities, it was clear he could relate to many of the challenges that our clients face. Ted has assisted clients in locating, designing, and outfitting distribution centers in the footwear, retail, hard goods, and biomedical fields over a fifteen year consulting career. Ted and his wife have a vacation home on the coast of Maine and can be difficult to locate on Friday afternoons in the summer.
 

DAVID BALLINGER

David started the Midwest operation of Beacon Systems at the end of 2004. David started his career fresh out of University of Akron in 1991 working for a material handling consulting firm in Ohio. David and Paul Nicholson worked together on ten projects located across the country over the next ten years. When the opportunity came to join Beacon’s Discovery & Design group, David quickly joined the company. David is Beacon’s expert on all things NASCAR.

ERIC TREFZ

Eric is one of Beacon’s best and brightest Project Managers working out of our Ohio offices. Eric has spent his entire professional career in the supply chain/material handling industry. He received his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology & Manufacturing Engineering from Kent State University. After college Eric has worked in many capacities; from the design and conceptual development of both distribution and manufacturing facilities to the engineering, procurement and implementation of large material handling systems. Raised in the Cleveland area, Eric now lives in Brunswick, Ohio and has been an avid Cleveland sports fan his entire life. Sadly (unlike many of his Boston bred colleagues) Eric is still waiting for that first major sports championship in his lifetime. At least he has the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Andrey Gorodetskiy joined Beacon Systems in 2005. As Engineering Manager, he is responsible for making concepts into reality. Andrey is the personification of the American Dream. A native of Petropavlovask-Kamchatsky in Eastern Russia, Andrey departed his homeland with his wife, a visa, a degree in mechanical engineering, and little else. While holding down two jobs, an acquaintance arranged for Andrey to get an interview for a position as a lift truck technician. Within six months, he moved into an engineering role. After spending two years as a project manager, Andrey joined Beacon.
 

KEN SOPER

Ken started in the material handling industry in 1980 as a recent graduate of UMass – Dartmouth with a degree in mechanical engineering. After taking a position with a Connecticut manufacturing company, Ken was assigned the task of implementing several automated material handling systems. Responsible for procuring the conveyor hardware, controls, and installation from three different firms and then taking the responsibility for the successful implementation of those systems, it was easy to see the value of a solid systems integrator. Attending the wedding of a close friend, Ken was introduced to the groom’s brother - Ed Schuler. When Ed learned of Ken’s experience, he quickly offered a role to Ken at his company. Twenty years later, Ken continues to specialize in the design and implementation of automated storage systems. When Ken isn’t helping his wife transport four kids to a variety of sports related activities, he is often found playing hockey.
 

MICHAEL FRANKE

Mike graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine in 1992 and immediately started to work for Diamond Phoenix, a manufacturer of horizontal carousels and other material handling technologies. He then worked his way up to a regional sales manager position. Shortly after receiving his MBA from RPI, Mike joined Beacon Systems to work in the Discovery & Design Group. Mike is a big believer in the power of technology and is quick to apply it when it benefits a client. He is well versed in designing and trouble shooting conveyor and controls systems.
 

MICHAEL HUDON

Mike joined Beacon Systems in 2003 as an AutoCAD specialist. With eight years of experience and gifted with many creative talents, Mike works with the Discovery & Design team to produce drawings and simulations of automated systems to verify the likely results of a proposed system. He has a degree in electro-mechanical design from Middlesex Community College. Mike is a Junior Warden at the local Masonic lodge and is an amateur magician.
 

ED SCHULER

Ed became a part of ‘Team Beacon’ in the spring of 2005. Another seasoned veteran, Ed brings close to 30 years of experience to the table. From Salesman to Consultant to CEO of his own company, Ed has truly worn every hat in the material handling business. Ed has designed and implemented automated systems from California to China during his career. He shares the philosophy of his fraternity brother Rick Pitino - "Success is a choice". As the company’s premiere golfer, Ed can often be seen at his country club when the first signs of spring appear in Boston.
 

DONNY LOPEZ

Donny is in his first year with Beacon Systems. He is originally from the Dominican Republic, and moved to Massachusetts at the age of 12. An avid baseball fan, Donny played 2nd base, while at Haverhill High School .

MICHAEL VITUKEVICH

Mike joined Beacon Systems in the summer of 2005.  He will serve the company as a Project Manager and assist in improving our implementations for clients.  Before joining Beacon, Mike spent ten years at a major construction firm.  Most recently he was working at a project at Logan Airport assisting in the renovations of Terminal A.  We hope that taking Mike from that world did not hold up any flights!  When Mike is not on a job site, he can be found on the sidelines of an Everett , MA football field where he coaches his son's Pop Warner team.

Aaron came on board with Beacon Systems in early 2006. He is a talented programmer and has worked extensively as a warehouse management software specialist. He comes to Beacon from Florida as our Technical Consultant. With over 30 implementations in the last 6 years, he has an broad knowledge of warehouse processes from both a technical and functional perspective.  While earning his degree from the University of Vermont, Aaron developed a love of skiing. With a degree in recreational management, and hopes to own his own ski area someday. In the off season you can find him on the golf links swinging a club.

Tony joined Beacon in the Spring of 2006 as a Project Manager.  Tony grew up in a small town in Michigan. He attended both Western Michigan and Hillsdale College. After a few different careers in the “working world” he eventually ended up in material handling, and has been there ever since! Tony comes to Beacon with 17 years experience, and when we say he's done it all, he has. From fabricating piece parts to installer, from developing and designing custom conveyor accessories to project managing multi - million dollar systems. This isn't to say that Tony is all work and no play, he's quite the opposite, and he plays just as hard as he works. When not managing one of Beacon's national projects, this sports fanatic can be found playing basketball, softball, and golf.