PIA/GATF Narrows CEO Search

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Who will be the single CEO of the Printing Industries of America and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation when Ray Roper retires?

The consolidation of two of the commercial printing industry's most prominent association concludes with the naming of a single person to represent the organization as its CEO. The organizations announced their consolidation in 1999.

"A smooth consolidation of GATF and PIA has been one of my highest priorities since the process was initiated," says Ray Roper, outgoing PIA president. "With the outstanding support and guidance from leaders of the industry, we are in the final stages. It is now time for one chief staff executive to lead PIA and GATF."

The task should prove to be an arduous one, because of the bevy of qualified candidates to consider. According to Robert Murphy, chairman and CEO of Japs-Olson and chairman of the selection committee, more than 350 resumes have been received thus far from would-be CEOs. He said that preliminary screening has been completed, and the selection committee was slated to meet April 14 to select which candidates would be interviewed. Those interviews were tentatively scheduled to take place later this month.

Murphy also noted that three people currently serving on the staffs of PIA and GATF have expressed a desire to be considered for the position. They will be interviewed along with those selected from the pool of 350 CEO candidates who submitted resumes.