Reston, Va. – Advancing its bold mission to drive printing industry alignment and growth, the Association for Print Technologies (APT) has created a new business unit committed to Community & Industry Development and welcomed industry veterans Ken Garner, as Vice President of Business Development and Industry Relations, and Julie Shaffer, as Associate Vice President of Program and Community Development, to spearhead the new area. Tapped for their industry background and knowledge, they will focus on expanding and developing new offerings to support businesses throughout the printing industry value chain and developing the community of thousands of visitors who come to PRINT^®, the industry’s signature event, each year.

Ken Garner brings to APT a wealth of experience from his career in the graphic communications industry. He has been an active presenter at numerous industry conferences and trade shows and has served on several industry boards, including as chairman for both the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) and the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF).

Julie Shaffer has a solid reputation as a visual communication industry expert. After honing her expertise in production and management for several visual communication companies, she has spent the past 17 years working with industry associations. In her work, Shaffer often focuses on new and disruptive technologies that will impact print, including integrated media, mobile marketing, and rapid manufacturing.

“We are pleased to have Ken and Julie join the team here at APT, and excited about building out our connections throughout the printing value chain,” says Thayer Long, president, Association for Print Technologies.

For more information about APT’s new Community & Industry Development unit, contact Ken Garner, Vice President of Business Development and Industry Relations at phone: 703/264-7200, or e-mail: [email protected].