A Running Fellow

Baron Gemmer is past-president/past-treasurer of the William Penn Chapter (beginning his board involvement in 1994) and sat on the AIIM board from 2001 to 2008 (he is past treasurer). He has worked tirelessly to advance the ECM industry and the Association. He has extensive experience in applying ECM technologies from across the spectrum—including (but not limited to) capture, workflow/business process management, and archive/repository frameworks. He’s willing to share his time and expertise to further the industry and his attention to detail as Treasurer served the chapter (and AIIM Board) in good stead.

Infonomics: What led you to start your own company?

Gemmer: Although it doesn’t seem to be the case at times, I like to control the direction and speed of my professional life. I also find that consulting is a great way to effectively utilize all of the experience and knowledge I’ve obtained over the years. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of making a difference on each project. The variety of challenges and the constant opportunities to make an impact keep it exciting – more so than when I was directly in the corporate world.

Infonomics: Do you have a favorite consulting gig story?

Gemmer: Long before ICS, I worked as consultant with Andersen Consulting in the mid 1980s. I was on an assignment for the Paris Stock Exchange, and lived in Paris for six months. While that was a great experience in and of itself, the personal “preparation” was particularly memorable. My wife Lydia and I were already engaged at the time I was asked to be on the team, but our wedding was planned for later in the year after I’d already be in France. We needed to work out a solution that would allow her to come over with me, so I took a cab from one of my French lessons on a Friday morning, and we got married in a civil ceremony at city hall in Manhattan (NYC). We came back from Paris later in the year for our church ceremony.   For ICS, my most memorable assignment related to AIIM. For the five years I was consulting in Seattle, I presided over dozens of 4:30 a.m. PT William Penn chapter board conference calls.

Infonomics: You’ve been active in the chapters and/or on the board as long as I can remember. What do you enjoy about being involved in chapters?

Gemmer: From a participant’s standpoint, I enjoy both the educational and networking aspects. As an AIIM William Penn chapter board member, I also enjoy the challenge of planning and presenting relevant programs that our members will want to attend. It’s one way that I can give back to the industry. For me, the chapters are a great place to learn, visit with longtime friends, and meet and help introduce new entrants to our area and industry.

Infonomics: I’ve asked many folks this, but what’s the value of participating in a chapter these days.

Gemmer: The chapters, as we always advertise, are a great place to continue your education of current concepts and practices. The chapter meeting topics are a great complement to our other AIIM training. Like most chapters, we’re sticklers for removing all sales pitches and keeping the content unbiased and vendor-neutral. With that said, we do have topics that revolve around a particular product or group of products if we feel such a discussion would be beneficial to our members. The chapters also offer tremendous opportunities for networking, and it’s hard to overstate the value of that in economic times like the present. For those looking for more, the chapters also provide opportunities for leadership and a forum to give back to the industry.

Infonomics: As a charter Master of Information technology, what’s the value of AIIM education?

Gemmer: Continuous learning is a necessity in any business, and it’s particularly important in the ECM industry. We (AIIM) have come a long way since those early days of offering the CDIA course and awarding the MIT designation. Our current courses have tremendous depth and breadth, and attendees gain a comprehensive understanding of their chosen practice areas. This education, along with the recognized designations, helps to increase their professional mobility. Our classes also benefit the industry as a whole by providing a consistent and unbiased view of the many areas within the information management umbrella.

Infonomics: Running any marathons in the near future? (I might get in shape enough run the half or full marathon in Philly next year).

Gemmer: Between a busy spring business-wise and a tight hip IT band, it’s literally been a slow running year. A late fall half or full marathon isn’t out of the question, but I’m realistically looking to next spring to be back in PR-type shape. I definitely want to re-qualify and get back to Boston before the Show does! From a professional standpoint, I need to hit the road more – some of my best thinking time comes during my runs. If any AIIM runners are coming to the Philly area for a few days, feel free to contact me for routes or possibly a running partner.

Infonomics: What does being named a Fellow mean to you?

Gemmer: Becoming a Fellow has been a somewhat surreal experience. Over the years, I’ve watched many deserving individuals and longtime industry icons inducted into the Company of Fellows. It is obviously quite an honor for me to be associated with this prestigious group. While I’ve been active in both the industry and the association for many years, I hadn’t really thought of myself as rising to the standard set by the distinguished Fellows who preceded me. It’s humbling that others think that this is the case, and particularly gratifying to have been nominated by former AIIM Chair Larry Wischerth. In some ways, I feel that it is an honor I must live up to as opposed to one I’ve already earned.  

Bryant Duhon is editor of Infonomics Weekly.