CHARLOTTE, NC (July 11, 2006) – The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc. (PICA), a non-profit trade association serving the printing industry in North and South Carolina, is pleased to announce that Jeff Stoudt has been promoted to Interim Executive Director. Stoudt, formerly vice president of education and member services, has been on staff at PICA for 11 years. Formerly a graphic arts teacher and a trainer for a large commercial printing company, he has extensive knowledge of the printing industry and education. “I appreciate the confidence the Board has shown in me and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to continue moving PICA forward,” said Stoudt. He lives in Gastonia, NC. “The Board is pleased that Jeff Stoudt has accepted the new role of Interim Executive Director of PICA,” said Chairman of the Board Doug Keen. “We're confident that his industry experience and the very public image he has presented during his PrintForce efforts makes him an excellent choice for the challenges ahead. I look forward to working closely with Jeff during the year.” PrintForce is PICA's workforce development initiative geared to increasing awareness of the career paths that exist in printing, improving graphic arts programs in high schools and post-secondary institutions and teacher development/recruitment. Continuing education for current printing company employees is also part of PrintForce. Stoudt replaces Gwen Doster, who is stepping down as interim executive director and back into her former position of vice president of administration. Doster has been on staff for 31 years. “These past two years have been a wonderful experience, and I appreciate the confidence and support of the board of directors, the membership, and especially the PICA staff,” said Doster. “Gwen Doster has done a great job of restoring integrity to the leadership position at PICA and demonstrating a genuine concern for the welfare of the membership,” said James Gordon, the immediate past chairman. “It has been both an honor and a privilege for me to serve as chairman of the PICA Board during the second year that Gwen served as interim executive director as well as it being the 75th anniversary year for PICA. The level of trust and cooperation between the two of us has made my year as chairman one that I have enjoyed and I believe has helped to revitalize PICA that should serve as the framework for moving forward with the changes. She has truly done an outstanding job in helping PICA to transition from an interim leadership situation to the next chapter." “The staff has done an superb job during this transition period,” said Stoudt. “The team-like atmosphere has allowed the staff to continue day-to-day operations and take on new challenges as well. We truly live by our mission ‘promoting the industry, focused on member success.'”