ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA (June 6, 2001) When Ink World Associate Editor Jenn Hess needed information and quotes from a professional while she was working on an article regarding office and plant staffing, she turned for input from Jim Kyger, director of human relations with the Printing Industries of America (PIA), Incorporated. American Printer magazine Associate Editor Allison McLean wrote an article appearing in the April issue on the topic industry peer groups. One of the leading sources of information for the article was PIA's Diane Koch, director, Educational Services. Kyger and Koch are just two of PIA's professional staff members. Mentions in these two industry trade magazines further underscores PIA's critical role as the leading source of information about the printing and graphic arts industries. "I just received a PIA [news] release about the Human Relations (HR) Conference 2001 and knew I needed to talk to someone with a professional association related to the [printing] industry," said Hess. "Jim [Kyger] gave me some good information." The information Kyger provided offered tips to on how to recruit and retain qualified employees. Quoted in Ink World, Kyger stated: "I've seen various employee referrals programs that are worth every penny. A lot of companies are also having success bringing back former employees to their old roles, or new ones. I call them retreads." Kyger should know, he himself is a PIA retread, rejoining the association in October 2000 after a brief stint with New Horizons Computer Learning Center in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Koch gave American Printer details about PIA's Printing Executive Network (PEN), which formed in 1988 as a way allowing industry executives to exchange ideas about common interests, solutions, and other issues vital to the printing and graphic arts trade. PIA has 11 active PENs that meet regularly throughout the year. Koch and Kyger and just two of the PIA's dedicated professionals serving the more than 13,000 members belonging to the association and assisting them with a host of affinity programs. Much of that assistance is available via the Internet through PIA's portal to the graphic arts industry, www.gain.net.