Printing Industries of America Elects 2011 Officers, Board of Directors

PITTSBURGH—Nov. 15, 2010—Printing Industries of America is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2011 Officers and Board of Directors. The installation ceremony took place on Nov. 14, 2010, at Printing Industries' Fall Administrative Meetings held in San Francisco.

Chairman of the Board—Michael Keene of John Roberts Co., Minneapolis, MN
Keene began his career while attending The University of Minnesota. After graduating in 1972, he was appointed supervisor of the prepress department at The John Roberts Co. and was named vice president in 1982. Keene has served as president of the company since 1986 and as CEO since 1994. During his tenure, John Roberts has increased market share and maintained a reputation for technical excellence and the effective integration of new technologies.

First Vice Chairman—Laura Lawton-Forsyth of Lawton Printing, Spokane, WA
Lawton-Forsyth is President of Lawton Printing and File-EZ Folder, both located in Spokane, WA. She is the fourth generation to join the family business, working full time beginning in January, 1991 and becoming president in October 2001.

Lawton-Forsyth's industry involvement is extensive. She has been involved with the Pacific Printing & Imaging Association (PPI) since 2002, most recently becoming board president in 2008. She has been affiliated with Printing Industries of America since 2001, serving as an R&D Committee Member in 2001; Board Member 2002–present; Chair, Young Print Professionals Group, 2004–present; Chair, Education Committee and Executive Committee member 2006–present; and Finance Committee Member, 2008–present. Lawton-Forsyth has also been a Kodak Commercial Printing Advisory Group Member, serving from 2004 to 2007.

Second Vice Chairman—Timothy J. Burton of Burton & Mayer Inc., Menomonee Falls, WI
Burton is currently the president and chairman of the board for Burton & Mayer. In the 1980s, he served as vice president of sales and marketing at Burton & Mayer. From 1969-80, he served as a sales representative, and prior to 1969, he worked in the bindery, prepress and customer service.

Burton has been the chairman of the Association Relations Committee for Printing Industries of America since 2007. He has been a Premier Print Awards judge since 1997 and has also judged local affiliate contests for PICA, PAF, PIAS, PGAMA, PII and PINE. Burton is also involved in several local civic organizations, including Friends of Milwaukee Public Television, Institute for Graphics and Imaging, the Work Services Committee of the Milwaukee Center for Independence, and Paws with a Cause.

Secretary—Jeff Ekstein of Willow Printing Group, Concord, Ontario
Ekstein is the third generation in his family to own Willow Printing Group. He has worked in the family business since he was 10 years of age, having carried out pretty much every task one could possibly do in a print shop. Ekstein graduated from York University in Toronto in 1983 with a degree in Economics and Business and then went on to attend the Graphic Arts Certified Executive (CME) program from York University and NAPL. Currently the president and CEO at Willow, he has spearheaded the acquisition of several printing companies over the years and has most recently acquired a mailing shop.

Ekstein is also the current co-chair of Canadian Printing Industries Sector Council, the chair of the Printing Industries Education Committee, a Premier Print Awards judge, and a member of the Printing Industries of America Executive Committee.

Treasurer—Hal Slager of Trico Graphics, Chicago (continued term)
A Certified Public Accountant by trade, Slager has spent more than 20 years with Trico Graphics. Founded as Triangle Engraving Co. in 1915, the company evolved to focus on sales and marketing support services with Slager as a driving force in advancing the company into electronic publishing.

Slager also serves his community as a Town Councilman in Schererville, IN, and is a director for the Calumet Region Striders, a local running club of 500 members.

Immediate Past Chairman—William J. Gibson of Trico Graphics, Chicago
Gibson grew up in a family tradition of print. In 1908, his grandfather started Gibson Graphics, a commercial sheetfed printing company in Chicago, and is father took over the company after World War II. After graduating college, Gibson worked for Waverly Publishing until his father decided to sell Gibson Graphics in 1982. He purchased the company and ran it until 1998 when he sold it to Rider Dickerson. Gibson remained with the company as vice president of sales until joining Trico last year.

Gibson is active in his local affiliate, Printing Industry of Illinois/Indiana Association (PII), and serves on its board. He is also past president of the Ben Franklin Club of Chicago and past chairman of both Printing Industries of America's Presidents Conference Advisory Committee and Education Committee.

Also joining the board of directors in 2011 are Darrel Dundore of Astro-Dynamic Print & Graphic Services, Jeff Stoudt of The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Jay Goldscher of The Whitmore Group, Mike Wurst of Henry Wurst Inc. and John Bell of The Ovid Bell Press.

About Printing Industries of America
Printing Industries of America is the world’s largest graphic arts trade association, representing an industry with approximately one million employees. It serves the interests of 10,000 member companies. Together with its nationwide affiliate network, Printing Industries delivers products and services that enhance the growth, efficiency, and profitability of its members and the graphic communications industry through advocacy, education, research and technical information.

Source: Press release.