PARAMUS, NJ, February 22, 2002 – An announcement today to the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and staff of the National Association for Printing Leadership formalized the intentions of I. Gregg Van Wert to step down as president and CEO of the 69-year-old association, effective December 31, 2002. His decision to vacate the top NAPL post follows a career with the Association that spans nearly 30 years of NAPL and industry contributions. He has served as NAPL’s President and CEO since January, 1992. In making the announcement, NAPL Chairman Jim Hyder (Fetter Printing, Louisville, KY) said, "NAPL’s progress over several decades is measured by the enthusiasm, devotion, and ability Gregg has brought to his work in numerous management capacities. In every position he has held with the Association, Gregg has been a visible and highly regarded friend of our industry whose passion and accomplishments have advanced the welfare of NAPL member companies." As part of the joint announcement, Mr. Van Wert commented, "I am profoundly grateful for having had the opportunity to serve our industry’s ‘leadership’ association for so many years, and I look forward to continuing to support NAPL’s work as its members face new challenges associated with growing and managing a profitable business enterprise." To that end, Mr. Hyder and Mr. Van Wert announced that a management transition has commenced that will end with the elevation of Joseph P. Truncale to the position of NAPL President, effective January 1, 2003. Mr. Truncale has served as NAPL’s Executive Vice President since 1992. In discussing the transition, Mr. Van Wert commented, "Joe Truncale’s performance in a variety of assignments since joining the Association’s staff in 1984, lays the foundation for a smooth leadership transition. His unparalleled commitment to the success of NAPL, combined with his long-standing operational experience, made him the sole candidate for consideration as NAPL’s seventh president." Responding to questions about his future plans, Mr. Van Wert said he will remain active with NAPL and industry projects that contribute to the success of companies engaged in the world of print. Mr. Truncale added, "Gregg is an important part of our NAPL family. He will continue to devote time and attention to the work of our Association." I. Gregg Van Wert joined NAPL in 1973 as Director of Communications. He was named Executive Vice President in 1982. In the intervening years, he headed NAPL’s Member Relations and Exhibits Departments, serving as Director and Exhibit Manager of the Graph Expo series of industry expositions prior to formation of the Graphic Arts Show Company. In his role as president since 1992, Gregg has led the Association through significant industry change. Under his leadership, NAPL’s publishing, marketing and educational initiatives have grown both in number and industry stature. Active in industry affairs, Gregg represents NAPL’s interests on a number of industry boards and advisory commissions. As NAPL president, he serves as Treasurer of the Graphic Arts Show Company and the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation, both affiliates of NAPL, NPES, and PIA. Among his many industry honors Gregg cites membership in NAPL’s Soderstrom Society, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award of RIT’s School of Printing Management and Sciences, as his most prized. Gregg may be reached for further comment at 1-800-642-6275 or [email protected]. Joseph P. Truncale joined the staff of NAPL in 1984 as Director of Member Relations. In 1988 he was given the added title of Senior Staff Director. He was named Executive Vice President in 1992. As NAPL’s COO, Joe has operational responsibility for executing the Association’s strategic plan. Among his honors are membership in NAPL’s Soderstrom Society, and distinction by the American Society of Association Executives as a Certified Association Executive (CAE). He is a past president and director of the New Jersey Society of Association Executives. Joe may be reached for further comment at 1-800-642-6275 or [email protected]. About NAPL Chartered in 1933, NAPL is a not-for-profit trade association representing the $88 billion commercial printing industry. NAPL’s mission is to "Enable the printing community to profit from change," through a full range of management and educational services to its membership. In addition to on-site training at its Center for Professional Development in Paramus, New Jersey, and Management Institute (MI) courses held at Northwestern University, NAPL offers consulting services as well as an annual Top Management Conference (TMC) recognized as a leading source of strategic ideas. The organization’s Printing Economics Research Center (PERC) produces both the Economic Edge newsletter and the Leading Indicators Service, a source of late-breaking data on trends within the graphic arts industry, and its Publications Department develops and distributes a variety of other publications, guides and special reports, including Printing Manager magazine. NAPL is also one-third owner of the Graphic Arts Show Company, which owns such major industry events as GRAPH EXPO and PRINT.