Printing Impressions/RIT Names Hall of Fame Class
PHILADELPHIA—The 29th induction class has been announced for the Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame. This year's class consists of
- Frank Defino Sr., founder and CEO, Tukaiz, Franklin Park, IL
Frank founded Tukaiz in 1963 and continues as chairman, CEO and managing director of the business. Regarded as an integral member and visionary of the graphic arts industry, Frank is recognized by his peers as a pioneer in building a successful, multi-faceted media production business. He is dedicated to providing clients with the best talent, innovative ideas and the latest advancements in technology. Frank has done this by continually reinvesting back into the business. With this approach he has turned Tukaiz into a nine-building, 200-employee campus.
- William Fitzgerald, partner and CEO, Universal Wilde, Westwood, MA
Bill has been in the printing and graphic arts/communications industry for more than 35 years. In 1998, Bill started his own company, Graphic Services, which grew through market penetration and strategic acquisition of other printing companies, including Universal Press from Quebecor in 2005. A year later, Bill bought United Lithograph from Cenveo and the company was rebranded as Universal Graphix. In May of 2007, the company merged with Millennium Printing, which had acquired Daniels Printing from Merrill Corp., and formed Universal Millennium. In 2011, he bought Wilde, a full-service agency, variable data and mailing company. Universal Wilde posts $150 million in sales.
- Robert Lothenbach, founder and president, Imagine! Print Solutions, Minneapolis
President and owner of Imagine! Print Solutions since 1988, Bob has built one of the most amazing success stories in the printing industry. Operating a press in high school, he began selling print, and soon after started his own company in a garage with one borrowed press and $1,800. The business grew rapidly, and during the past 25 years, Bob has also been recognized as Minnesota’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Imagine! has received numerous awards for excellence in print quality and innovation, and is nationally known as one of the most progressive and fastest-growing printing companies.
- David Pilcher Sr., owner and president, Freeport Press, Freeport, OH
A Bob Jones University graduate who cut his teeth on printing while working for that university's in-plant, Dave enjoyed stints at Lithocolor Press and Good News Publishers in Chicago. He later joined Frank Beddor Jr. and became the first president of The Press of Ohio. Dave later served as president of NADCO in Hazelton, PA, and personally supervised the construction and startup of this $50 million facility. In 1998, he purchased a near bankrupt company, the Freeport Press. Joined by his two sons, David and James, the company has grown into a high-quality web offset producer generating $35 million in annual sales.
The inductees will be honored Monday, Sept. 9, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel in Chicago during PRINT 13. For information on attending the 2013 Gold Ink Awards & Hall of Fame Gala, contact Mike Cooper by e-mail at mcooper@napco.com or by calling (215) 238-5434. Advance registration is required.
