WASHINGTON — The U.S. Government Printing Office’s (GPO) Managing Director of Plant Operations John Crawford marks 50 years of service to GPO and the Federal Government. Crawford began his career at GPO on May 10, 1966 as a journeyman bookbinder on the night shift. A half century later, Crawford manages 800 employees in the agency’s plant operations business unit.  He is responsible for the production of some of our Nation’s most important documents, including the President’s Budget, The Congressional Record, The Federal Register, The Code of Federal Regulations 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 coordinating inaugural materials for presidential inaugurations, and contributed to the agency’s transition into the digital age. 

One of his first jobs in the late 1960s was producing secure test forms for the U.S. Air Force. Crawford waspromoted to his first management position in 1972 and was responsible for coordinating and overseeing  the production of President Richard 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. Crawford is one of three generations of his family to work at GPO. His grandfather worked at GPO in the early 1900s.

“John is part of the very foundation of GPO.  His enthusiasm and commitment to the work we do for Congress and the Federal Government is something we all embrace,” said GPO Director Davita Vance-Cooks.  “I appreciate the institutional knowledge John shares with me and his support on the various digital changes the agency has implemented through the years.  I and all of GPO congratulates John on his 50 years of Keeping America Informed.”