Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Printing Industries of America (PIA) congratulates Gary Jones, assistant vice president, Environmental, Health, and Safety Affairs (EHS), PIA, as the recipient of the 2015 William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award.

Established in 1990, this award is named for environmental pioneer and researcher Dr. William D. Schaeffer, who is celebrated in the industry for his contributions to environmental issues. The William D. Schaeffer Award recognizes an individual’s focus on advancing environmental awareness and action in the graphic communications industry.

For the past 28 years, Gary has been primarily known for his tireless effort at both educating printing operations and suppliers on environmental issues and advocating on behalf of the printing industry for regulations that provide both operational flexibility and improved environmental performance. Gary has worked closely with the federal and state-level Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and other agencies. In doing so, he’s been extremely effective in reducing regulatory burdens on the industry.

Throughout his work with PIA, Gary has been fundamental in heading up efforts for the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership, an organization dedicated to assisting printers as they respond to the customer demand for sustainable printing. Gary has also provided one-on-one membership assistance through a variety of approaches, including responding to inquiries, writing articles, providing training, and consulting services. He regularly presents lectures at numerous industry events and conducts workshops for PIA. In addition, he has written several publications regarding environmental, health, and safety issues, and his “Environmental Alert” column appears in Printing Industries of America: The Magazine.

“In my experience, Gary is the epitome of a passionate printing professional. His depth and breadth of knowledge of all aspects of environmental, health, and safety issues, regulation, and interpretation is truly impressive,” said Tad Parker, president, PINE, and supporter of Gary’s nomination. “It will be proper recognition for his devotion and passion for his profession, our industry, and those people who have come to rely upon him for EHS guidance in a very complicated regulatory environment.”

After graduating from LaRoche College with a B.S. in biology, Gary went on to further his education and received an M.S. in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. Shortly after, he worked in the forensic science field as an analytical chemist. Gary joined PIA in 1987 and continues his work in leading the EHS Department.

Gary will be honored before a prestigious group of peers and industry leaders during Printing Industries of America’s Fall Administrative Meetings, November 13–15, 2015, in Pittsburgh, PA.