PIA/GATF Announces 2009 Officers and Board
2nd Vice Chairman - Michael Keene, President and CEO, The John Roberts Company, Minneapolis, MN
Keene started his career while attending The University of Minnesota. After graduating in 1972, he was appointed supervisor of the John Roberts prepress department and was named Vice President in 1982. Keene has served as president of The John Roberts Company since 1986 and as Chief Executive Officer since 1994. During Keene's tenure, The John Roberts Company has increased market share and maintained a reputation for technical excellence and the effective integration of new technologies. Spearheading the company's investment in ISO 9001:2000 certification is just one of the ways in which he has led The John Roberts Company into the highly competitive global economy of the 21st century.
Secretary - Laura Lawton-Forsyth of Lawton Printing, Inc., Spokane, WA
Laura Lawton-Forsyth is President of Lawton Printing, Inc. and File-EZ Folder, Inc., 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 the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) since 2001 serving as 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. She has also been a Kodak Commercial Printing Advisory Group Member, serving from 2004-2007.
Treasurer - Hal Slager of Trico Graphics, Inc, Chicago, IL (continued term)
A Certified Public Accountant by trade, Slager has spent over 20 years with Trico Graphics. Founded as Triangle Engraving Company 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, Indiana and is a director for the Calumet Region Striders, a local running club of 500 members.
