Pittsburgh, Pa., December 8, 2008 - The Ben Franklin Honor Society of the Printing Industries of America inducted 12 new members at their annual black-tie dinner and awards ceremony on Friday, November 14 in Las Vegas, Nev., during the Printing Industries of America fall board meeting.
 
The newly honored members were nominated by veterans of the society and selected by vote of the Ben Franklin Society officers.
 
The Class of 2008
Daneise H. Archer is president of Arco Ideas & Design, Inc., in Cartersville, Ga., a printing company she started in 1979 and manages with her husband, Russell. The 2007 Naomi Berber Award recipient, Archer was the chairman of the board of Printing Industry Association of Georgia in 1998 and was named PIAG's 2005 Ben Franklin Award recipient for her tireless involvement and service to her business, the printing industry, and her community.
 
Dennis Balas co-chaired the research, development, editing, and publishing of the printing industry's consummate resources BRIDG'S and GRACoL 1-6, which brought process controls and proper upstream image preparation to the printing industry. These primer booklets and later editions served as an introduction to all aspects of printing. Balas served on the SWOP board of directors for over twenty years and spearheaded much of the original groundbreaking studies on web printing. He retired as customer service manager from QuadGraphics in Sussex, Wis.
 
David C. DeLana is president of Heritage in El Reno, Okla., and the immediate past chairman of the board for Printing Industries of America, formerly PIA/GATF. DeLana is active in his affiliate, PIA MidAmerica and served eight years on the board of its predecessor, PIA of Oklahoma. A past president of the El Reno Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation, DeLena was honored as Oklahoma's Small Businessman of the Year. A tireless volunteer in his community, he is presently on the board of directors of Parkview Hospital and Prevent Blindness Oklahoma.
 
James P. Dunn is president and chief executive officer of Heidelberg USA in Kennesaw, Ga. Dunn has held numerous leadership positions throughout the Heidelberg community, including president of the Heidelberg Americas shared services division and chief financial officer of Heidelberg Web Systems. A huge supporter of education and training, Dunn served on the board of Printing Industry Association of Georgia (PIAG) and continually supports the missions and programs of PIAG. He is also a generous sponsor for the graphic communications division at SkillsUSA.
 
Howard Henderson is the owner of Copac, Inc., Spartansburg, S.C. From 1976 to 1984, Henderson served on the PICA Board of Directors and as chairman from 1982 to 1983. Afterward he continued to be actively involved, serving as a trustee of the PICA Foundation and president of the PICA Foundation from 1994 to 1999. Dunn currently serves on the Foundation Executive Committee as a member-at-large for South Carolina.
 
Urban S. Hirsch III is founder and president of Ink Systems Inc., Commerce, Calif. A recipient of numerous awards, he was the 2007 recipient of the PIASC Ben Franklin Person of the Year Award. Hirsch has served the industry as president of NAPIM, the founder/first president of Los Angeles Printing Ink Production Club, a past board member of PIASC, and a sponsor for many of PIASC's seminars, conferences, and annual meetings. Hirsch is also deeply involved with Casa Youth Shelter and the Inner City Arts Program.
 
Bruce L. Lanzerotti is a product development executive in the greater Chicago area and former manager of a graphic arts chemical company. He co-founded and co-chaired the research, development, editing, and publishing of the printing industries resources: BRIDG'S and GRACoL 1-6. A graduate of Illinois State University, Lanzerotti is also the owner/principle of Twin Willows Consulting Services in Wheaton, Ill.
 
Tom Saggiomo is president & CEO of Agfa Graphics in Ridgefield Park, N.J. Founder of Lastra America that was acquired by Agfa, Saggiomo was instrumental in the introduction of the computer-to-plate technology to the graphic arts industry. He serves on the board of directors for the Graphics Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF), is past-chairman of the Web Offset Association (WOA), immediate past chairman of NPES, and a member of New York University's Graphic Communications Advisory Board. Saggiomo was also the 2007 NYU Gamma Gold Ink Award recipient.
 
Steven Schnoll is managing director of Schnoll Media Consulting, New Providence, N.J. A highly respected consultant on new technology issues, Schnoll started his print career in the late 60s at Jersey Printing Company. He helped form several other notable graphic arts companies and retired as chief executive officer at Merchants Press of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. In recent years, he has been looked upon as a creative industry leader. He is a member of Printing Industries Alliance of New York and developer of the Printing Industries of America Converge Conference.
 
Jesse S. Williamson is president of The Williamson Printing Company in Dallas, Texas, and is a member on the board of directors for the Web Offset Association. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Williamson has been instrumental in leading his company to secure its position as a technologically advanced company. He has applied his technological know-how to benefit the industry through the invention of several important and innovative patented printing techniques. Williamson has been the recipient of many awards, including the 2005 Sheetfed Executive of the Year.
 
Acclaimed Posthumously
Peter Krusa was the Distinguished Professor at Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C. Krusa, who passed away suddenly on August 20, 2008, was a true gentleman, a natural leader, and wonderful friend to all he met. He served PICA for ten years in numerous roles, including chairman of the board in 1991 and 1992. He was also the chairman of the PICA foundation but passed away mid-term.
 
Thomas M. Destree was the editor-in-chief of what was formerly PIA/GATFPress at the time of his death this past June. Destree's career at Printing Industries of America, formerly PIA/GATF, began in 1978 as an editor for the GATF publications group. Throughout his long career at Printing Industries of America, Destree touched virtually every printed piece produced. He set an example through his steadfast dedication and personal outlook. Admired by all his peers, he was the 2007 Printing Industries of America Peer-Employee-of-the-Year.
 
Naomi Berber Memorial Award and Frederick D. Kagy Education Award of Excellence
The dinner also included the awarding of the Naomi Berber Memorial and Frederick D. Kagy Awards. The Naomi Berber Memorial Award went to Ara Izquierdo, vice president of industry relations of the Printing Industry of Southern California (PIASC) in Los Angeles, Calif., where she has served for thirty-nine years.
 
Venice High School's Super Shop 9 program in Los Angeles, Calif. was awarded the Frederick D. Kagy Education Award of Excellence. Art Lindauer, program instructor for over fifteen years, accepted the award. As a Kagy Award recipient, Venice High School's Super Shop 9 program can choose up to $1,000 worth of textbooks published by Printing Industries Press.
 
For more information on the Ben Franklin Honor Society of the Printing Industries of America, please contact Diane Koch at 412-259-1803 or [email protected].