IDEAlliance® has announced Howard Schwartz of Condé Nast Publications as the recipient of the IDEAlliance “Donald A. Mumma Award”, the highest award of distinction in the mail preparation and processing arena. Given annually since 1985, the Mumma Award is given to an individual who has advanced communication and collaboration for greater efficiency in mail preparation and processing. The 2014 Mumma Award was presented to Howard Schwartz, Executive Director, Distribution Sourcing & Postal Affairs, of Condé Nast Publications during IDEAlliance’s Print Distribution Conference on May 6, 2014, in Clearwater, Florida. Joe Schick, Vice President of Postal Affairs, Quad/Graphics, Inc., and 1990 Mumma Award honoree, stated that “The success of our industry is generated through the vision and dedication of its leaders and such a leader is Howard Schwartz. We thank him for his service and contributions.”

Mr. Schwartz has dedicated most of his working life to creating and growing efficient mail volume. As one of the longest serving members of the Mailers’ Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC), he has been a fixture at all events that involve the USPS and the industry.  He currently chairs the Periodicals Advisory Group and has been instrumental in getting the USPS, publishers and mail service providers to collaborate on common issues and keeps “lowest combined costs” as a focal point of the group. David Steinhardt, President & CEO of IDEAlliance, said “Mr. Schwartz has been an active member of IDEAlliance focusing on magazines and their viability in the mailbox. He works behind the scene to make things happen.”

About the Donald A. Mumma Award 

The IDEAlliance Donald A. Mumma Award is the highest award of distinction that IDEAlliance presents in the mail preparation and processing arena. The award is named for Donald A. Mumma, a US Postal Service branch manager, who was described as a new type of US Postal Service manager in the early 1980’s with a customer focus and seeing the need for US Postal Service and industry dialogue. He saw the advantage for both mailers and the US Postal Service to work together and was instrumental in launching the collaborative and worksharing approach between the Graphic Communications Association, the predecessor of IDEAlliance, and the US Postal Service. Throughout his many years of service with the US Postal Service, his legacy continued with those whom he mentored. Donald Mumma died in April 1983 and the Mumma Award was created in 1985. The Mumma Award is a reminder that communication and collaboration between the US Postal Service and the industry are the key ingredients for our success.