Soderstrom Society recognizes United Litho president and COO for his leadership and dedication to the printing industry. PARAMUS, N.J., July 16, 2002 – The National Association for Printing Leadership’s Soderstrom Society will honor Ken Garner, president and chief operating officer of United Litho, Ashburn, Va., as the recipient of the 42nd annual Walter E. Soderstrom Award. The award, one of the most distinguished in the printing industry, will be presented by James Hyder, chairman of the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) and president and chief executive officer of Fetter Printing Co., Louisville, Ky., at the annual, invitation-only dinner meeting of the Walter E. Soderstrom Society, on Monday, October 7, 2002, at the Mid-America Club in Chicago.  In making the announcement, NAPL President I. Gregg Van Wert noted that “Ken is known throughout the graphic arts community for his dynamic leadership and his very active role as an advocate for the printing industry. This award is a well-deserved honor.”  Named for the late Walter E. Soderstrom, one of the founders of NAPL, the award has been bestowed annually since 1961 to a distinguished individual who has contributed significantly to the development and progress of the printing industry. The recipient is selected by fellow members of the Soderstrom Society, an honors organization that provides industry leaders with the opportunity to exchange ideas, suggest improved practices, and recognize the contributions of their peers, including printing firm owners, equipment manufacturers, consultants, and educators.  A distinguished career Ken Garner began his printing career in 1974 with a summer position at United Litho (now a Sheridan Group Company specializing in publications printing).  After graduating from Randolph-Macon College in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, his first full-time position with United Litho was as an apprentice plate maker. He went on to serve in a variety of management positions at the firm before assuming the role of president in 1992.  A current board member and past chairman of NAPL, Garner has a long record of service to local and national industry associations, including: * Director, NAPL (1993-present) * Chairman, Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (2002-present). * Director, Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (1999-present) * Chairman, NAPL (1999-2000) * Chairman, Environmental Conservation Board (1996-1997) * Director, Graphic Arts Show Company (1998-present) * Director, Printing Industry of Virginia (1991-1996) * Director, Virginia Printing Foundation (1991-present) Inducted into the Soderstrom Society in 1993, Ken Garner is the recipient of several other industry honors, including the 1993 PIVA Wallace Stettinius Educator of the Year Award. He resides in Fairfax Station, Va., with Mary, his wife of 26 years, and their daughter Emily.