August 12, 2002 -- Karl Fritchen has been named President of QTI, the research and design division of Quad/Graphics that creates many of the Smartools we use to automate and integrate functions across our many divisions and plants. Karl replaces Tom Quadracci who recently became president and CEO of Quad/Graphics. In an August 7 email to employees, Quad/Graphics President Tom Quadracci wrote: "QTI has been very successful as a subsidiary of Quad/Graphics. No other printer has the R&D firepower of QTI, and QTI will remain a key component of our business as we build on what has made our company great." He continued: "Karl has my full confidence as a leader. He is a long-time employee and has been instrumental in growing QTI's worldwide presence over the past 17 years." Karl was hired as a Field Service Engineer for QTI on February 25, 1985, and successfully fulfilled that role for three-and-a-half years. Next, he joined the International Customer Service group for two years before transitioning into Sales. Upon entering Sales, Karl was responsible for the territory of Japan. Karl was promoted into management in 1991 and was immediately named manager of Asia-Pacific Operations. His territory grew to encompass the area from Japan to India and Australia. During this time, he also helped start up QTI's offices in Singapore and Japan. In 1993, Karl was named QTI's Director of Sales and catalyzed the formation of QTI’s own North American sales force. Most recently, as QTI Vice President of Sales, Karl has had total responsibility for the direction of QTI’s sales efforts in the United States and throughout the world. Karl is a graduate of Union Grove High School in Union Grove, Wis., and holds a degree in electronics from Milwaukee's Control Data Institute. He has continued his education at Quad/Graphics, taking many technical and leadership courses. Karl makes his home in Southeastern Wisconsin with his wife, Beth, and their sons, Joshua and Matthew.