2012 Printing Industry Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
PHILADELPHIA—July 20, 2012—Printing Impressions magazine is pleased to announce the 2012 class of inductees into the Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame. The four industry executives will be honored at the annual Gold Ink & Hall of Fame Awards Gala on Oct. 8, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago during GRAPH EXPO 2012.
The 27th induction class includes:
- Carl Gerhardt, chairman, Allegra Network, Plymouth, MI.
- Michael Graff, president and CEO, Sandy Alexander, Clifton, NJ.
- David Harding, president and CEO, HardingPoorman Group, Indianapolis.
- Volker Petersen, president and CEO, Brown Printing, Waseca, MN.
“We believe this class embodies the spirit of a printing industry Hall of Fame,” stated Mark Michelson, editor-in-chief of Printing Impressions. “These well-known executives have made substantial contributions that have elevated not only their respective companies, but have made a lasting impact on the printing community through industry involvement and technology innovation, as well.
“The Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame award is held in conjunction with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) School of Print Media. The names of this year’s inductees will be permanently inscribed on a plaque hanging at RIT, joining a virtual who’s who of past industry leaders and serving as positive role models for future generations of graphic arts industry leaders,” Michelson noted.
Carl Gerhardt and his wife, Judy, owned and operated their own successful Allegra Network franchise for nearly 20 years before selling the $2.3 million operation in 2003. Mr. Gerhardt is an NAPL/NAQP Honorary Lifetime Member and was inducted into NAPL’s prestigious Soderstrom Society in recognition of his contribution to the industry.
He was named president and COO of the Allegra Network in 2004, CEO in 2007 and transitioned to chairman in 2010. During his tenure leading the company and as an investor, he has successfully moved the franchise network into major diversification and acquisition initiatives.
