WASHINGTON— (May 20, 2008) The person responsible for managing the transformation of the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), will retire at the end of June.  During his five years at GPO, William H. Turri was responsible for overseeing the agency’s day-to-day printing, procurement and information dissemination operations for Congress, Federal agencies and the American public.
 
In 2007, Turri served ten months as Acting Public Printer, providing a flawless transition of leadership.  In his role of Acting Public Printer, Turri oversaw the transformation and the increase in production of the nation’s passports. To meet the security requirements of the post 9-11 world, the passport now contains an electronic chip.  He managed the process of converting passport production to e-Passports.  Turri led GPO in meeting the demand of the American people by increasing production to about 20 million passports in 2007, doubling the amount produced from when he arrived at the agency in 2003.  Turri also led the committee that selected the Stennis SpaceCenter in Mississippi as the location for a secure passport production facility.
 
“Working with GPO’s talented employees to improve and fulfill our mission of keeping the American people informed on their government has been one of the highlights of my career,” said Deputy Public Printer William H. Turri.  “I’m most proud of opening the lines of communication among the business unit leaders, then from those leaders to their employees, and finally between our managers and union leaders in monthly meetings.  I also am happy with expanding award ceremonies that honor employees for their hard work.  As for life after GPO, I plan to serve on a few boards and increase my involvement with RIT.  I am of course, looking forward to spending more time with my wife, children and grandchildren.”
 
“Bill has proven to be an exceptional manager during the period of GPO’s transformation.  He provides the glue that holds GPO together,” said Public Printer Robert C. Tapella.  “We would not be where we are today without his steady hand and superlative skill in managing during these changing times.  It has been a privilege for me to work side by side with Bill during the last five years.  GPO wishes him the best in his retirement.”
 
Turri has spent his entire career in the printing industry.   He served in numerous executive positions for some of the top print companies in the country.  Turri was president of both Case-Hoyt and Monroe Litho.   He is a 1962 graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) School of Graphic Arts and Photography.  Turri is a member of RIT’s President’s Roundtable as well as the Nathaniel Rochester Society Committee, an organization dedicated to providing scholarships to RIT students. He was the 2002 recipient of RIT’s Outstanding Alumni Award.