Bob Roperti, Gary Wilbur, and Bob Christy have been awarded the 2014 George K. Bukovsky Award from the International Reprographic Association (IRgA). The Bukovsky Award recognizes individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to the reprographics industry.

“The IRgA is proud to recognize these three individuals for their contributions to the reprographics community,” says Kimberly Long, president of IRgA and president of Reprodux Copy Centres in Canada. “Each has played, and continues to play, a vital role in the health and well-being of the industry. Each brings their unique skills tirelessly and with one purpose, to improve and enrich those within the industry.”

The three men will be honored at a special reception and banquet during the joint Eastern Reprographics Association/International Reprographic Association convention on April 3-5. For information about that event, visit: http://www.irga.com/join-us!-erairga-convention-2014/

Gary Wilbur

Gary Wilbur has been president of R.S. Knapp/Napco in New Jersey since 2000, and has worked there since 1990. He previously was a partner at Arthur Andersen & Co. for 13 years. He was president of IRgA in 2010-2011, during a difficult transition time.

“The IRgA is pleased to recognize and honor Gary Wilbur with his selection to receive the George Bukovsky Award,” Long says. “Gary's vision and continuous stewardship provided the guidance necessary to see this organization through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history.” 

Under Wilbur’s leadership, Napco became the largest reprographics firm in the state of New Jersey.

“Unlike many of us, Gary Wilbur was not born into the reprographics industry,” Gremillion says. “After graduation from Villanova University, Gary worked in the world of public accounting as a partner at Arthur Andersen before being convinced to enter the industry by his father-in-law, Jim O'Keefe, at R.S. Knapp Company in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Along the way, Gary has selflessly served on the board of directors of ReproMax and the IRgA, where he also served as president.  Gary has also been involved in the Eastern Regional Reprographic Association and the Firepower group, and has advised some of the industry's most notable equipment manufacturers. However, it is Gary's professionalism that has made the reprographics industry, and the organizations within it, better and stronger."

Bob Roperti

Bob Roperti has owned Jiffy Reprographics in Clearwater, Florida since 1988. He previously worked for DuPont for 22 years. He was the president of IRgA in 2011-2012, and has held numerous other positions, including board member and committee chairperson. He also has also held leadership positions in the Reprographics Services Association and Eastern Reprographics Association.

“The IRgA is pleased to recognize and honor Bob Roperti's career with his selection to receive the George Bukovsky Award,” says Kimberly Long, president of IRgA. “Bob's tireless efforts to enrich the reprographics community and its members exemplifies all that George Bukovsky stood for and embodied.”

Roperti has made Jiffy into a leading reprographics firm during his ownership. He introduced digital services in the early 1990s, when the industry was still primarily analog, and he introduced “next day” services throughout the state of Florida. Along the way he always has provided advice and encouragement to other reprographers.

“Bob has always given back to the industry no matter his role,” says Chuck Gremillion, chairperson of the IRgA Presidents’ Council, which selected the honorees. “It was always Bob's desire to enrich and enhance the professionalism and skills of his fellow reprographers.”

When Roperti served as president of IRgA, he was instrumental in maintaining the continuity of the organization during a difficult time in the industry.

“For as long as Bob has been in the reprographics industry, he has tirelessly and unselfishly given of himself and his company for the enrichment and betterment of all those he has touched, through friendship and the exchange of knowledge,” wrote Michael Shaw, president of Central Blue Print on Long Island, in his nomination of Roperti. 

Bob Christy

Bob Christy began working for Triangle Reprographics in Houston in junior high school. He went into the investment business after college, but rejoined Triangle as a sales representative two years later. He rose to president of the firm in 1985. 

“Bob Christy has worked in the reprographics industry his entire career, having joined his father Ed, himself a former IRgA President, at Triangle in Houston after he graduated from the University of Texas,” says Gremillion. “Along the way Bob has served as IRgA president, Mid-South Reprographic Association president, RSA/RDA president and been a frequent presenter at conventions and meetings.  

Bob even served on the committee that created the Bukovsky Award nearly 25 years ago."

Christy was president of IRgA in 1986-1987, and has held a number of other important positions with the association. He also served as president of the Mid-South Reprographic Association and the Reprographics Services Association.

“The IRgA is pleased to recognize and honor Bob Christy with his selection to receive the George Bukovsky Award,” Long says. “Bob's long-standing service to the industry in his numerous official capacities is equally matched by his contributions before and after each. A fitting tribute to one who helped bring this award into existence.

About the Bukovsky Award: The Bukovsky Award honors the memory of George K. Bukovsky, who worked in the reprographics industry for more than 30 years and actively promoted IRgA and the industry. He passed away in 1990, and the award was established to honor his contributions by recognizing others who have similarly made a lasting impact on the reprographics industry. To read a list of previous Bukovsky Award winners, click here: http://www.irga.com/knowledge-bank/bukovsky-award-winners/