ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA (August 29, 2002) – The Printing Industries of America, Inc. (PIA), and Graphic Arts Monthly announced John C. Wurst, CEO of Henry Wurst Incorporated located in N. Kansas City, MO, as the 2002 recipient of the Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes his years of service and dedication to the graphic arts industry. "Who could be more deserving than John? Born and raised a printer, John’s held leadership roles in GATF, PIA and NAPL. His personal commitment to the Print and Graphics Scholarship Fund is a benchmark for many others. His biggest contribution, however, is his personal character. In these turbulent times in business, John stands as a beacon of integrity, customer service, innovation and involvement – the core values of the company he runs," said James E. Herbst, COO of Henry Wurst Incorporated. Mr. Wurst becomes the 52nd recipient of the award. The Lewis Memorial Award is recognized throughout the graphic arts industry as the highest honor awarded to any individual in the business. The award pays homage to business leaders who have reached unsurpassed levels of excellence and achievement in the printing industry---leaders who have gone far beyond the standard obligations to become a driving power in shaping the business of producing printed communications. Mr. Wurst succeeded his father at Henry Wurst Incorporated in 1964 and proceeded to turn Henry Wurst Incorporated into one of the very first web offset companies. In 1995, Mr. Wurst turned over Henry Wurst Incorporated to his son, Michael, but he remains a vital part of the organization. John’s contributions to the industry have been quite extensive. He was the Chairman of the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation from 1987 to 1988, Chairman of the National Scholarship Trust Fund, PIA Web Offset Section, GATF’s Society of Fellows, PIA’s Ash Khan Society, and the National Advisory Council for Printing Education at Pittsburgh State University. John also served on the Board of Directors for the Printing Industries Association of Kansas City, Master Printers of America and the Web Offset Society. In addition to his various duties with Henry Wurst Incorporated and the graphic arts industry, John has been a dedicated member of many civic organizations. He has been Chairman of Truman Medical Center, Hospital Health Services Corporation and the Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation. He is also highly involved in fighting illiteracy, is a member of the Laubach Literacy Council and is a volunteer mentor at Bryant Elementary School. Mr. Wurst will receive the award before hundreds of industry leaders and guests at PIA’s Premier Print Awards Gala, Sunday, October 6, during GraphExpo in Chicago, Illinois.