Pittsburgh, PA - Printing Industries of America is pleased to announce that Doreen Monteleone, Ph.D., Director of EHS, Membership & Special Projects of the Flexographic Technical Association, Ronkonkoma, NY; is the recipient of the 2009 William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award.

Established in 1990 and named for environmental pioneer and researcher Dr. William Schaeffer (1922-2003), the Schaeffer Award honors an individual who has made significant contributions towards environmentally sound practices in the printing industry. Dr. Schaeffer was widely known and respected for his ongoing environmental advocacy and leadership in the graphic communications industry.

During her nearly 14 years with the Flexographic Technical Association, Dr. Monteleone has been responsible for keeping members informed of environmental, health and safety issues affecting flexographic printers nationwide as well as developing EHS and sustainability assistance tools.

She was integral in the development of the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership and currently serves on its Board of Directors. Dr. Monteleone represented the flexographic industry in the U.S. EPA Design for the Environment and Common Sense Initiatives. She has coordinated environmental conferences, including chairing the National Environmental, Health and Safety Conference three times; publishes the monthly e-newsletter EHS Direct; works with federal, state and local agencies to distribute environmental information to FTA members and reviews regulations to make them appropriate for flexo printers. In the past, she has worked closely with the Printers' National Environmental Assistance Center (PNEAC) to develop a video conference, self-assessment, numerous fact sheets and the online Virtual Flexo Plant.

She also directs FTA's membership retention and expansion program and is the staff liaison for FTA's Sustainability Committee, Membership Committee, Executive Leadership Council, Supplier Leadership Council and Strategic Planning Committee. In addition, she directs membership programs to improve recruitment and retention for the Association; is the recording secretary for FTA/Foundation of FTA Boards, and assists the President with a variety of association management projects.

Dr. Monteleone has written or edited several books and is a frequent contributor to FLEXO magazine.During her career, Dr. Monteleone has won several awards:
- 2005 Trade Association Environmental Leadership Award. National Small Business Ombudsman/Small
- 2004 Partner of the Year. First Recipient. Printers' National Environmental Assistance Center www.pneac.org
- 2003 Associations Advance America Honor Roll. In-Plant Environmental Self-Assessment for Flexographic
- 2001 Associations Advance America Honor Roll. High Performance Flexo: Printing with a Cleaner, Greener Image videoconference
- 2000 National Partnership for Reinventing Government, Hammer Award. For contributions to the U.S. EPA

The William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award is presented annually at the National Environmental Health and Safety (NEHS) Conference. This year's NEHS Conference will be held March 15-17 in Indianapolis, Indiana.