WASHINGTON - The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) names John Crawford as Managing Director of Plant Operations. In this position, Crawford is responsible for leading a manufacturing and technology business unit comprised of Production, Operations Support, and Quality Control and Inventory Management. Crawford has served as Production Manager since 2007 where he has been responsible for overseeing the production of Presidential Inauguration materials, the President's Budget, The Congressional Record, The Federal Register, and legislative bills, hearings and reports. Throughout his years of service, Crawford has worked on secure projects, including the implementation of the electronic passport, and contributed to the agency's transition into the digital age.

"John's experience and institutional knowledge of GPO is an asset in his new role as Managing Director of Plant Operations," said Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks. "John has played a leading role over the years in embracing change and implementing GPO's digital transformation from a print-centric to a content-centric agency."

Crawford started in the printing trade in 1958 and joined GPO in 1966 as a journeyperson bookbinder where one of his first jobs in the late 1960s was producing secure test forms for the U.S. Air Force. He was promoted to his first management position in 1972 and was responsible for coordinating and overseeing the production of President Nixon's inaugural materials. In the 1980s, Crawford led the team to automate the passport binding process, which was previously done by hand. As technology has advanced and GPO's workforce has decreased, Crawford has worked with GPO management to combine and reorganize plant departments to maintain efficiency and to continue to meet the needs of Congress, Federal agencies, and the public.  Prior to being named Production Manager in 2007, Crawford was Superintendent of the Binding Division for 14 years.  John is one of three generations of Crawfords to work at GPO.