Regis J. Delmontagne observed his 25th anniversary as chief executive of NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies December 1. Delmontagne was the Association's first fulltime professional executive. At the time he joined the Association then known as the National Printing Equipment Association, membership was 37 companies; today, it is nearly 500. In recognizing the milestone during the NPES Annual Conference in late October, Chairman David R. Reny, Vice President and Managing Director of Standard Finishing Equipment, noted: “For those of you who have had the privilege of working with him, you know Regis has been there every step of the way helping NPES grow and prosper over the years.” Joining in the presentation, Immediate Past Chairman Stanley E. Freimuth, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer with Fuji Photo Film USA, described Delmontagne as “a rare and unique individual, always looking for new opportunities to strengthen and improve the Association, with a great sense of worldwide markets.” Reny noted that, to honor his overall contribution and achievements with NPES, the Board of Directors has created a Regis J. Delmontagne endowed scholarship fund with a contribution of $300,000 to the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation. The gift will fund scholarships for the children of employees of NPES members, enabling them to pursue studies in graphic communications and related fields. Among the highlights of Delmontagne's NPES career: 1977 - Association offices moved from New York to suburban Washington. 1978 - Association changed its name to National Printing Equipment and Supply Association in recognition of changes in the industry and to help spur a membership campaign which led to growth from 42 members in 1980 to 138 in 1981. 1979 - Association becomes official organizer of USA Pavilions at Drupa 1980 - PRINT 80 sets records 1982 - Graphic Arts Show Company formed, with Delmontagne as President; NPES takes first mission to China. 1983 - Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation formed with Delmontagne as President; NPES admitted as only non-European member of EUMAPRINT. 1985 - PRINT 85 sets records 1987 - NPES purchases building in Reston. 1988 - NPES opens dialogue with Soviet Union, leading to the opening of an NPES office in Moscow in 1990. GASC acquires GRAPHIC ARTS THE CHARLOTTE SHOW. 1990 - NPES enrolls its 300th member. 1991 - Association changes name to NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing and Publishing Technologies, again recognizing industry change; PRINT 91 sets records. 1995 - NPES joins industry organizations across the hemisphere in the founding of PANAMGRAPH. 1997 - NPES U.S.-Sino Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies Training Center opens in Shanghai; PRINT 97 sets records. 1998 - Association changes name to NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies, and membership reaches 400. GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO move to Chicago on an annual basis. 1999 - Graphic Arts Show Company acquires THE GUTENBERG FESTIVAL. 2000 - GASC acquires the VUE/POINTSM Conference. 2001 - NPES membership reaches 480 companies. Delmontagne graduated from Duquesne University in his home town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After working in newspaper advertising and corporate marketing, he joined the trade association and exhibit management firm Hanson and Shea in 1963. He and his wife Elena, have two children and three grandchildren.