PARAMUS, N.J., OCTOBER 12, 2006 - Raymond J. Prince, known throughout the industry as a leading expert in technical and operational issues, has joined NAPL (www.napl.org), the trade association for excellence in graphic communications management, as Vice President and Senior Consultant, Operations Management, effective Oct. 13, 2006. In his new role at NAPL, Prince reports to John Hyde, managing director of NAPL Professional Services Group. "Ray is clearly the preeminent expert in a number of operational and technical areas and one of the most widely known and respected consultants in the graphic communications industry," said Joseph P. Truncale, NAPL president and chief executive officer. "Perhaps even more importantly, Ray has an impeccable reputation and a high level of integrity. His values and ethics line up squarely with those of NAPL, making him a 'natural fit' with our Association. We're delighted to welcome him to NAPL and look forward to providing our members and clients with the benefit of his considerable experience and insights." "Ray's expertise in technical and operational issues adds another dimension to the already comprehensive slate of services offered through our Professional Services Group," said Hyde. "Our members and our clients are sure to benefit from his insights and guidance." Raymond J. Prince is a graphic communications industry veteran. A printing specialist and troubleshooter, Prince has led numerous industry seminars and contributed technical information to hundreds of industry textbooks and articles. During his tenure at PIA/GATF, Prince conducted nearly 1,000 Technical Plant Assessments (TPAs), in-plant analyses of a printer's production facility and capabilities. As a lecturer and trainer, he led numerous industry seminars on all phases of pressroom operations. He has been a regular lecturer at the NAPL and PIA/GATF Sheetfed Pressroom Conference. A member of the Board of Directors of the Print and Graphics Scholarship Fund, Prince in past years chaired the group's Marketing/Fundraising Committee. In 1991, he was named president of the Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA), where he previously served as executive vice president. Prince has also contributed four technical papers to TAGA proceedings, an annual compendium of scholarly technical papers. A recipient of numerous industry awards, Prince received the 1997 TAGA Honors Award for lifetime achievement and the GATF Industry Education Award in 1997 and, in 1992, was named Craftsman of the Year by NAPL. Prince has achieved the Certified Quality Systems Lead Auditor Status from the Registrar Accreditation Board (RAB) of the American Society for Quality Control. In 2000, he was inducted into NAPL's prestigious Walter E. Soderstrom Society, and in 2002 was inducted into The Society of Fellows. In addition to an A.A.S. and a B.S. in printing management from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Prince holds an M.S. in printing management from South Dakota State University.