CHICAGO; Oct. 11, 2004 -- At Graph Expo 2004, the Tom McMillan Foundation today presented its 6th Annual Tom McMillan Award for Editorial Excellence to Mark T. Michelson, Editor-in-Chief of Printing Impressions. The award is presented annually to the editor or writer who, according to their peers, exhibits the highest standards of journalistic integrity and professionalism; understanding of the industry, including its technologies and applications; and performs their duties in such a way as to act as a role model for other journalists. Dozens of industry communications professionals vote to select each year's winner. Adding new depth to the selection process, industry journalists were invited to vote for this year's winner and will be invited to vote in the future. The quintessential editor, Mark Michelson has practiced journalism exclusively in a professional career spanning 25 years. After graduating with a degree in advertising and journalism from Northern Illinois University in 1979, Michelson took the position as editor of a daily newspaper in Illinois. Within two years, a move to Philadelphia brought him to North American Publishing Company and the printing and packaging industries, where he took on assignments as editor of Package Printing, and subsequently of World-Wide Printer and El ArteTipografico. In 1985, Michelson was named editor of Printing Impressions - a post he has held ever since. During his tenure, Printing Impressions paralleled industry growth in stature and scope in the late 1980s and throughout the printing industry's heydays of the 1990s, reaching more than 85,000 readers each month with its trademark tabloid format. In addition to planning, editing and overseeing every issue, Michelson's contributions include creating the Printing Industry Hall of Fame and reporting or overseeing coverage of all 80 professionals inducted into it since 1985. He also is credited with defining and supervising the editorial composition of the publication's annual Master Specifier, a richly cross referenced buyers' guide that quickly became an industry "bible" by providing extensive specifications on industry products. In addition, he oversees the annual Printing Impressions 400 ranking of the 400 largest printing companies based on annual sales, and one of the most comprehensive rankings of its kind. Michelson's Unique Contribution "From his position at the helm of Printing Impressions, Mark Michelson's stamp on the character of the printing industry is undeniable," said Tom McMillan Foundation cofounder, John Hebert. "For nearly 20 years, Mark has guided the efforts of his own staff - and influenced journalists at other publications -- in putting a face on the large and the small players in an industry which, at its zenith, comprised more than 57,000 establishments representing a market exceeding $100 billion in revenue." "Mark describes himself as 'very hands on' in his approach to journalism, guiding his staff in writing about the industry and helping them excel at their craft by approaching the work of reporting as part of a team effort. Those who have worked for him and those who have worked with him over the years have benefited greatly from his calm demeanor, accessibility, and thoughtful approach to his subjects, and his desire to get at the heart and soul of the industry's news and its newsmakers. "These and many other traits honor the spirit of Tom McMillan, and we are pleased to present the 2004 Tom McMillan Award for Editorial Excellence to Mark Michelson." About the Award The Tom McMillan Foundation was formed in 1999 to support the former Editor in Chief of Electronic Publishing magazine in his fight against ALS. For more than 15 years McMillan served the graphic arts industry as a writer and magazine editor specializing in electronic publishing and computer graphics technology. McMillan was diagnosed early in 1998 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which he fought until his death the following year at age 47. Each year, founding members of the Foundation present an annual award for editorial excellence in McMillan's name to a well-deserving industry journalist who has been chosen by their peers. Past Winners Tom McMillan received the first Award for Editorial Excellence at an emotional ceremony conducted in conjunction with Seybold Boston in February of 1999. Tom succumbed to his illness the following July, just 5 months later. In 2000, Stephen Edwards of Seybold Publications was voted as the second recipient of the McMillan Award. In 2001, Earl Wilken, a long-time industry veteran, garnered the majority of votes. Jill Roth, Director of Brand Development/Special Projects Editor at American Printer, won the award in 2002. Last year's winner, Keith Hevenor, Editor in Chief of Electronic Publishing and Tom McMillan's protégé, was voted as the fifth recipient. Tom McMillan Scholarship In addition, the Foundation solicits funds for an industry scholarship, established with the help of the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation (a division of PIA/GATF), to aid promising students pursuing a career in the graphic arts. Interested parties can support the PGSF by sending a check to: Bernie Eckert c/o Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation Attn: Tom McMillan Foundation 200 Dear Run Road Sewickley PA 15143-2600