PRINTER news

The Printing Industries Association of San Diego (PIA/SD) has named Karen Fulton as its new president. She replaced Miriam Reimers, who retired after 25 years of service to the printing
industry.

AlphaGraphics Inc. recognized its top franchisees at the international network’s annual conference and technology show, held in New York City. This year’s Franny award, presented to the best-run business center, went to Keith and Shelly Hermanson, who own and operate the AlphaGraphics in Billings, MT. The recipients of the Best Operations award were David and Lorraine Kovacs, who own a franchise in Dayton, NJ. The Rising Star award for the best new franchise (less than 18 months in operation) went to Jerry Johnson and Kristine King, who opened an AlphaGraphics business center in Pittsburgh last year. In addition, Cincinnati owner Doug Banbury, who purchased an existing AlphaGraphics in 2005, was chosen as the Rising Star-Transfer honoree.

Japs-Olson of Saint Louis Park, MN, has joined The Print Council, bringing its support to the industry coalition that is dedicated to expanding the utilization of print media for communications.

Wright Business Forms, (dba Wright Business Graphics) announced the addition of Gordon Klepec as director of sales for the $50 million company headquartered in Portland, OR.

Padgett Printing of Dallas has hired Joe Ballew as database processor. Ballew was most recently with Motheral Printing.

Enterprise Press has relocated to Englewood, NJ, after 90 years in Manhattan, and made several personnel moves. Tammi DiMartino has joined the company as managing director. Also, Ernie Rawding has been hired as prepress manager.

ProGraphics Communications, an Atlanta-based commercial printer, has named John Pope president and CEO. Pope previously was president of RR Donnelley-owned Williams Printing in Atlanta, having led the company for the past 23 years. He resigned from RR Donnelley in September.

NAPL announced the winners of its 2006 eKG Customer Focus Awards, to be presented at the 2007 NAPL Top Management Conference in March 2007. Winners of the Platinum award include: Hederman Brothers, Ridgeland, MS; Neyenesch, San Diego; TGI Inc., Flint, MI; EU Services, Rockville, MD; and Branch-Smith Printing, Fort Worth, TX. The Gold award winners are: Think Patented, Dayton, OH; Branch-Smith Publishing, Forth Worth, TX; Suttle-Straus, Waunakee, WI; Action Printing, Fond du Lac, WI; and Bolger Vision Beyond Print, Minneapolis. And Silver awards go to: Art Litho, Baltimore; Arbor Press, Royal Oak, MI; SPG Graphics, Indianapolis; Michigan Paperboard, Battle Creek, MI; and Sandy Alexander, Clifton, NJ.