PPI announces 2012 Board of Directors, while two Washingtonians chair national committees

2012 PPI Board of Directors

The Pacific Printing Industries Association (PPI) recently announced its 2012 Board of Directors. This group represents a broad range of visual and graphic communication firms and vendors in Oregon and Washington. PPI covers these two states as a regional affiliate of Printing Industries of America, as well as serving firms and individuals in Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Hawaii.

“This is a well rounded group of industry professionals and business owners who are committed to supporting PPI and its members as the industry embarks into new opportunities and horizons,” shared Jules Van Sant, executive director of PPI. “PPI has continued to expand and adjust to meet our members’ changing needs with the help of this leadership team.”

In other visual communications industry news, the Pacific Northwest has recently become very well represented at a national level. Chair positions for the National Association of Printing Leadership (NAPL) and Printing Industries of America (PIA) now belong to Washington State ­business owners Darren Loken and Laura Lawton-Forsyth, respectively. PPI’s Van Sant has also been elected as a PIA Board Director.

Darren Loken

Loken, president and CEO of Telepress in Seattle, was installed as Chairman of the Board of the NAPL during the association’s Annual Meeting on September 11 in Chicago.

“I am honored to become NAPL Chairman and follow in the leadership footsteps of Keith Kemp, who has done such an outstanding job during a time of difficult economic conditions in our industry,” said Loken. “I look forward to working with my fellow officers, members of the NAPL Board, our association staff, and our members to continue the tradition of industry service that has been an NAPL hallmark for more than 75 years.”

Laura Lawton-Forsyth

Lawton-Forsyth, president of Lawton Printing Inc. and File-Ez Folder, Inc. in Spokane, Washington, has been elected 2011/2012 Chair of the Board of PIA. The transition occurred during the association’s fall meetings in Miami Beach, Florida, in November.

In this position, Lawton-Forsyth will lead the board and oversee the direction and activities of the 8,500 member firm association. Printing Industries of America is the world’s largest graphic arts trade association, representing an industry with more than 900,000 employees and $140 billion in sales.

“I am honored to have been elected to this position,” said Lawton-Forsyth. “Of the many things I want to see accomplished this year, my first and foremost is to see Printing Industries of America champion the truth about print and the environment. My hope is to see us work in tandem with other national and regional groups to create a unified voice and effort.”

Van Sant with PPI was elected by her peers to represent the industry with a two-year term as a PIA Director.

“I’m thrilled to be able to join the dedicated Board Director volunteers at PIA over the next two years,” she said. “Both PIA and NAPL are committed to supporting the industry as it shifts into renewed direction, offering the utmost support for all areas of the U.S. Darren and Laura will bring a Northwest twist to the equation. How exciting to have both organizations led by proven Northwest business leaders and strong local supporters through PPI.”

For more information, visit www.ppiassociation.org.