SUSSEX, Wis., April 28 -- Quad/Graphics announces the appointment of J. Joel Quadracci to President & CEO of Quad/Graphics, effective July 1, 2006, in anticipation of the yearend retirement of current Chairman & CEO Thomas A. Quadracci. Following his retirement from the chief executive position on July 1, Tom will remain involved in the business as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, and will fully retire from the company on December 31, 2006. A co-founder of the company, Tom chose his retirement date to coincide with the company's and his 35th employment anniversary. "For the past 35 years, I have had the good fortune of being part of something very special and that is helping build Quad/Graphics from a tiny one-press operation that printed surplus work for other printers into the world's largest privately held printer of magazines and catalogs," Tom said. "Now as the company's and my 35th employment anniversary draw near, I believe it the appropriate time to transition leadership to the next generation." "It's been tremendously satisfying to be a part of this company's success from the very beginning and, more recently, to lead a team of such exceptional people," he added. Tom helped his eldest brother and company founder, the late Harry V. Quadracci, start up Quad/Graphics in an abandoned factory in Pewaukee, Wis., in 1971. Over the years, Tom filled many indispensable roles, including serving as Quad/Graphics' first Plant Manager. In subsequent years, he served as President of QuadTech, the company's dedicated R&D division; Vice President of Manufacturing & Technology; Executive Vice President; President & CEO; and Chairman & CEO of Quad/Graphics. "Tom has been instrumental in building our company from the ground up and we are eternally grateful for his contributions," said Joel, who is Harry V. Quadracci's son and has been employed with the company for nearly 15 years. "Not only has Tom played a key role in our company's success but he is a recognized leader in the printing industry as a whole." Currently, Joel serves as Quad/Graphics' President & COO and is responsible for the operations of the company's core printing business and related activities. In his new role as President & CEO, he'll have complete oversight of the company and be responsible for its long-term strategic development. His position as COO will not be replaced. "I am proud to continue the tradition of family leadership at the company, and to build on the dreams of my father and all the others who came before me," Joel said. "I am confident that the transition of leadership will be seamless because Tom and I and the entire executive team have worked closely together for many years." The company is well positioned for continued success," he continued. "Furthermore, our commitment to do what's right for our customers and employees is unwavering."