2009 Printing Industry Hall of Fame : The Industry Stage

IN A SENSE, Janet Green could be described as a drama queen. But fate has cast her as a printing kingpin.

The CEO of Irvine, CA-based Greens Printing longed to be a star of stage and screen. So destined for an acting career was Green that upon graduating high school, she already had numerous credits in stage, musical theater and television commercials. Green had her union card, managers and agents. She trained, auditioned and took acting lessons.

From around the age of 12, entertainment was her destiny, and she followed a path toward that end. In fact, it didn't make sense for Green to attend college for drama; her resumé was already more impressive than that of most instructors.

As it turns out, Green has enjoyed a career of triumphant performances and unforgettable roles that have catapulted her to the top of the profession. Instead of earning a Tony or an Oscar, her icon status has been sealed in Chicago, her reward being the respect of peers as a business leader and a trailblazer for women in the printing industry.

Green, 51, has the distinction of being just the third woman to be inducted into the Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame, following in the footsteps of Judith Booth (1994) and Diane Romano (1996). And, as the CEO of Greens Printing, she is one of the few female chief executives in the industry. However, she has the distinction of being the first woman to serve as chairman of the board for the Printing Industries of America (PIA) in the organization's 130-year history.

The acting and printing worlds have crossed paths on a few occasions, and Green has been able to draw on her experience with one to help benefit the other. As a caretaker of a family business, Green has a vested interest in the estate (death) tax and its permanent repeal. Eight years ago, she was asked to testify in front of the U.S. Senate on the question of repealing the tax.

Public speaking is a daunting task and, considering the audience, that could make anyone's knees knock. Unless, of course, you're used to singing, dancing and acting in front of an audience or a camera.

"I'm talking to a lobbyist and he says, 'This is heavy stuff, all these senators you'll be speaking to...are you going to be OK," Green recalls. "I replied, 'I'm fine. I don't need a pill, just give me a microphone, an audience and knowledge of what I'm saying.' "

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