A group of Lycoming students in Dr. Neil Boyd’s “Organization and Management” and “Organization Development” classes recently visited Tröegs Brewery in Harrisburg, PA.  Founded in 1997, Tröegs Brewery is a family owned business that is managed by brothers Chris and John Trogner, the oldest sons of Lycoming alumni Ronalee ’69 and John ’68 Trogner, Jr.  After a career in real estate development, John Trogner, Jr. joined the brewery as Treasurer.  He has also served as a member of Lycoming College’s Board of Trustees since 1998.

The Trogner brothers gave Dr. Boyd and the Lycoming students a private tour of the company’s facilities and discussed several issues related to their company’s growth.  After starting the business from scratch in 1997, the brewery now produces nine beers that are distributed in five states.  The Trogner brothers are co-owners of the brewery and share the management responsibilities.  Chris focuses more on the financial aspects of running the organization while John oversees the operations and technical aspects of production.  The Trogners spent time answering students’ questions about the company.  One of the biggest lessons the Lycoming students learned is that a brewery is a very capital intensive enterprise.  Tröegs requires substantial capital to support equipment operations in the production of their products.  In addition, the brothers talked with students about the transition issues that have resulted as the company evolved from a very small family-based management team to a larger and more specialized professional staff. 

Students valued the opportunity to meet the Trogner brothers, and their father, and learn about the successful growth of Tröegs Brewery and the chance to apply their course concepts to a real situation.  One student reflected, “This is the best business field trip I’ve ever been on.”

Students look over the Tröegs specialty products during their visit.  From left to right:  Nate Kraynak, Chris Smith, Mark Salinger, and Colin Puskaritz.  Hidden behind Mark Salinger is Dan Bartholomew.	Dr. Neil Boyd and business administration students pose for a picture after their visit with co-owner Chris Trogner.  From left to right:  First row:  Mark Salinger, Chris Smith, Nate Kraynak, and Dan Bartholomew.  Second row:  Chris Trogner, Dr. Neil Boyd, Ben Schack, and Colin Puskaritz.