Ray Prince, president of GreensheetBIZ, an OutputLinks Communications Group division, received the prestigious 2011 Influencer Award from PINE, New England's largest trade association for printing and graphic communications companies.

A well-known industry expert, Prince received the much-deserved honor at PINE's annual Industry Awards Gala, Tuesday, Nov. 15, in Newton, Mass.

Prince leads the esteemed GreensheetBIZ publication, website and editorial team, managing the treasured outlet for CEOs and senior-level decision makers and professionals of the graphic arts field.

"The award from PINE is appreciated. It has always been a pleasure to work in the New England area with so many great printers," said Prince. "My 53 years in the industry have been rewarding by sharing knowledge and helping firms. I am grateful to the association for this honor."

Andy & Julie Plata, co-CEOs of OutputLinks Communications Group, said, "We're thrilled that the industry is recognizing Ray for his numerous contributions towards improving the graphic arts industry. We couldn't be happier for Ray, and we're honored that he brings his high-caliber wisdom to the GreensheetBIZ and OutputLinks Communications Group team. Congratulations, Ray, on this most special honor."

The Influencer Award recognizes the contributions of individuals, like Prince, who strive to improve the industry in a broad manner. The Award has been sponsored - since its inception in 2003 - by Heidelberg.

For more than five decades, Prince has dedicated himself to helping printing companies improve in the areas of productivity and quality with the bottom-line objective of increasing their profitability. He has consulted in numerous operational areas that cover the gamut of disciplines, from sheetfed and web press testing and solving paper and ink problems to color control systems and paper waste reduction.

In a previous announcement, PINE President Jim Tepper said, "When we created the Influencer Award, we wanted to acknowledge the contributions of individuals whose innovative ideas, enthusiasm, and devotion has helped to propel our industry forward. Ray stands tall among industry peers and colleagues in that regard. We are honored to present this award to him."

At GreensheetBIZ, Prince helps to maintain the publication's long-standing tradition of news excellence. GreensheetBIZ, which has served the graphic arts industry since 1968, speaks to senior industry executives in the printing, publishing and converting industries, presenting topics focused on the 'business of print'. During its 40+ year history, GreensheetBIZ has chronicled the full spectrum of print's evolution from a post-medieval technology through automation of page composition, the transition from letterpress to offset, the development of high speed sheetfed, web offset, flexo, gravure, digital presses and inkjet, and the movement toward automated workflow standards.