Stephen Herchen becomes COO/CTO of Impossible Germany.
Former Polaroid employee Stephen Herchen moves to Impossible. As Chief Operating Officer/Chief Technical Officer, he will lead Impossible's operations and be responsible for research and development.
Stephen Herchen has a wealth of experience: he worked at Polaroid for 28 years, involved in the development of chemicals for films. Since 2005, he worked at ZINK Imaging and will soon take up his position at Impossible.
Excerpt from the press release
Press release: November 21, 2013
A circle closes: Former Polaroid head of research and development and ZINK co-founder Stephen Herchen becomes future COO/CTO of Impossible Germany.
On December 1, Stephen Herchen will join the management of the Vienna-based company Impossible Instant Group.
His official title will be Chief Operating Officer/Chief Technical Officer.
Since 2005, Stephen Herchen has been Executive Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer at ZINK Imaging.
He was part of the small team that financed and founded the Polaroid spin-off ZINK Imaging with private funds.
In close cooperation with strategic partners from the US and Asia, he led the development of Zero-Ink technology.
During the 28 years Stephen worked at Polaroid, he held numerous positions.
Together with Polaroid founder Edwin Land, he worked on the development of the chemicals needed for Polaroid films.
Other roles include Director of Integral Film Product Development and Vice-President of Research and Development.
His last three years at the company were as Chief Technology Officer.
Stephen holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Merrimack College and a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
From the East Coast of America, Stephen now moves to Düsseldorf to lead Impossible's operations.
From research and development in Monheim to production in Enschede.
Stephen on his new role at Impossible:
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to join the Impossible team and work with them to advance the instant film technology that they have already developed to an even higher level of quality and overall instant photographic performance. Instant analog photography was one of the most innovative inventions of the twentieth century and I believe as do the rest of the Impossible team that its magic and appeal can apply to today's imaging customers as well."
Creed O'Hanlon, Impossible's CEO and successor to Impossible founder Dr. Florian Kaps:
"This is unquestionably one of the most important management appointments Impossible has made since its founding."
O'Hanlon adds that research and development as well as production of Impossible films are the heart of the company.
The extensive understanding and experience that Stephen brings will have a great impact on the company. New doors will be opened and further improvement of all existing films for classic Polaroid cameras type 600, SX-70, Spectra/Image as well as the refinement of the 8x10 format will be made possible.
