The Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) held its annual Star of Excellence Awards Banquet, on April 26, 2012 at the University of Minnesota’s McNamara Alumni Center. The top awards recognized outstanding leadership, customer service, production and printed materials.

The 2012 Graphic Arts Industry Leader of the Year was awarded to Charlie Bolger, CFO at Bolger Vision Beyond Print, Minneapolis. The past recipients select each new member of this elite list annually. Bolger  was chosen for his commitment and contributions to the industry.  David Radziej, President, PIM said, “Charlie Bolger has been a leader in our industry for many years, and he is truly an ambassador of print.”

Paul Byers, RR Donnelley Twin Cities, and Stacey Larson, Travel Tags, Inver Grove Heights, MN, received the fourth annual Customer Service Representative of the Year Awards; and Matt Hammes, Western Graphics, St. Paul, received the third annual Production Professional of the Year Award. The People’s Choice Award (selected by banquet attendees) was presented to Carlson Print Group for their Carlson Calendar entry. 

The evening was rounded out with the announcement of the Star of Excellence Best of Show. This year’s winner, chosen by a panel of qualified judges, was The First Impression Group, Eagan, MN. Their winning entry, The Fox with the Golden Fur, was  entered in the Diecuts, Pop-Ups, Unique Folds, and Involvement Devices Category.