2006 PRINTING INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME — A HOUSEHOLD NAME

Williamson idolizes his brother, Jerry—a fellow Hall of Fame inductee—whom he considers not only the smartest executive in the graphic arts business, but a great partner and friend. Jerry has taught his younger brother to focus on details, be it with handling jobs, problems or people. There is also a cosmic balance between the siblings.

“A lot of people say that I’m the gas pedal and he’s the brake,” Jesse quips. “It’s worked out really well for us.”

Don Clampitt, CEO of Clampitt Paper and a 30-year acquaintance, describes Williamson as being passionate, intelligent and innovative. Underneath the easy-going and practical-joking exterior lies a man who is intense, Clampitt notes.

“Jesse has a reputation that is unsurpassed,” Clampitt says. “I’ve always thought that I wanted to be held in the same regard with my customers as Jesse is with his customers.”

Fountain of Information

Lowell Gilbertson, a southwest regional sales manager for Heidelberg USA, feels perhaps Williamson’s greatest asset is his ability to listen to others, backed by a sound knowledge of the industry. “Jesse’s probably forgotten more about printing than most of us will ever know,” Gilbertson says. “He’s a very smart, very creative guy. And that’s why his company is so successful today.”

In addition to his work with industry associations, Williamson was named the 2005 Sheetfed Executive of the Year by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) and Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF).

Williamson enjoys fishing and game bird hunting, the latter of which includes quail and pheasant. As for golf, he enjoys the sport far more than his mid-90s efforts. He has visited many of the world’s more exotic locales and counts Prague as one of his favorite cities.

Jesse Williamson has two daughters, Kate and Laura, along with two grandchildren. He also enjoys the company of his two Labs, Rudy and Bailey. PI