James Lockman

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) Print Specialist

James Lockman is an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) Print Specialist and the owner of Working Words & Graphics, a variable data marketing services company, graphic design shop and digital prepress services bureau. His practical experience with PostScript and PDF workflows dates to 1995, making his training and strategic consulting a valued resource to printers, print buyers, graphic designers and equipment suppliers, nationwide. James holds a degree in physics and applied physics from Yale University and lives in Gorham, Maine, with his wife and three sons.

Christine Erna, MQCS, AQS

Executive Vice President, Mailing Fulfillment Services
Vermillion, Inc.

Christine has 20+ years' experience in direct mail with proven abilities in leadership, consulting, selling, education, and training in direct mail marketing, mail-piece design, letter-shop and fulfillment operations, and postal operations. Her track record with the USPS (18 years) includes key leadership roles, executive management and technical positions, and consistent, recognized, and measurable achievements.

A sought-after postal requirement consultant and an accomplished and well-known public speaker and presenter at industry events, Christine presents educational seminars to clients, prospects and partners on a wide range of topics within the direct mail arena. She has been a guest speaker and presented educational seminars within the direct marketing industry at various events, conferences and tradeshows including Boston Print Buyers, New England Direct Marketing Association, PINE, MAILCOM 2006, DMIA National Conference and the National Postal Forum.

Before coming to Vermillion, Christine was a Mail Piece Design Analyst with the US Postal Service. During her career there, she was selected for the prestigious Management Trainee Program, after which she was promoted to the position of Mail Piece Design Analyst.

Christine is a certified Mailpiece Quality Control Specialist and Address Quality Specialist.

Robert McClements

Founding Senior Executive
PrintYorkshire

PrintYorkshire is a partnership between the Regional Development Agency and British Printing Industries Federation. The regional print industry employs 20,000 in 1,500 businesses with a total revenue of $3bn. (That's £3,000,000,000!). The partnership promotes the sector, facilitates best practice and is taking the strategic lead in the training and environmental responsibilities. He established Showcase, the Print and Packaging Buyers' Conference, as a forum for buyers and sellers of print.

He has been MD of a broad range of print companies in PoP, Lithography and Newspapers. He spent 10 years with Allied Domecq plc, ultimately as Managing Director of two subsidiary companies. His international experience includes contract negotiation and joint ventures in Europe and the Middle East.

As a consultant he focuses on Strategic Planning and Customer Relationship Management through Performance Teams. As an Honorary Visiting Fellow of the Bradford School of Management he works with the England and Wales Cricket Board at the highest level of performance coaching. Robert is a member of the Bradford Negotiation Team which provides tuition and mentoring in advanced techniques of negotiation.

Michael Riordan

Assistant Professor
RIT's School of Print Media

Michael Riordan teaches coursework relating to color management, print and publishing production workflows. Through his research at RIT, he has worked closely with publishers, print service providers and creative agencies to help improve color quality and predictability throughout the production process. Michael actively provides training and consulting on related topics, is a regular presenter at industry events such as Graph Expo, has written several papers on related topics and served as co-editor for the Pocket Pal: A Graphic Arts Production Handbook.

Rick Littrell

President/CMO
Magicomm, LLC

Magicomm, LLC is a rapidly growing direct marketing solutions company focused on developing strategy, creative and technical implementations of high value marketing solutions leveraging personalized, multi-channel marketing communication systems.

Magicomm was winner (honorable mention) of a 2005 Printing Innovation with Xerox Imaging award (PIXi) and won the 2006 PODi Best Practices Award for Relevant Marketing. These awards are multinational competitions created to recognize innovation and excellence in digital printing applications.

Working with advanced technology products for over 25 years, Rick has extensive experience in international marketing, sales, and business development. Previously, he was Vice President, North American Field Operations for Polaroid Graphic Imaging System LLC. Prior to that, he was Senior Worldwide Product Line Manager for Computer-to-Plate Output Systems for Agfa Corporation. Other positions held were in prepress production, applications development, and product development for leading vendors and print service providers within the graphics industry. Additionally, he has published extensively in North American trade journals and is internationally known as an entertaining and insightful presenter.

He takes pride in being active within the Graphic Communications industry and his community. He is a member of the Vue/Point Advisory Board, PODi & PODi Marketing Working Group, IPA, "Must See'em" Selection Committee for Executive Outlook, co-host of American Printer Variables Conference, and previous Chairman of the Town of Groveland Personnel Advisory Board and Finance Committee.

Don Carli

Senior Research Fellow
Institute for Sustainable Communication

Don Carli is Senior Research Fellow with the non-profit Institute for Sustainable Communication as well as founder and CEO of Nima Hunter Inc., a marketing research consultancy.He is a Technology Editor for Graphic Arts Monthly magazine as well as a consulting editor to Actuel GrafiskInformation magazine in Sweden and a contributing editor to Gravure magazine.

He has conducted major international market studies addressing environmental management, corporate social responsibility and sustainability that have been quoted in Fortune magazine and the New York Times. He is a Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Industry Studies Affiliate, a member of AIGA, The Professional Association for Design, a board member of the AIGA center for Sustainable Design, an educator member of the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, the Gravure Association of America and a member of the Institute for Supply Management.

Sandi Peterson

President
Berthelot Marketing Services, Inc.

As president of Bertholot Marketing Services, Inc., Sandi is the "guardian angel" behind thepresscheckpeoplecom. She has more than 30 years of direct response print production experience including over 25,000 hours logged on press for numerous agencies.

Dr. Joe Webb

Dr. Joe Webb is one of the graphic arts industry's best-known consultants, forecasters, and commentators. He is the director of WhatTheyThink.com's Economics and Research Center.

A 30-year veteran of the graphic arts industries, he was the founder of the influential TrendWatch information service, which was sold to Reed Elsevier in 2000. Since January 2003, his "Mondays with Dr. Joe" column has become a must-read feature on WhatTheyThink.com, as have his quarterly economic forecast webinars, where he analyzes trends in the economy, technology, and the industry, interpreting what they mean for executives and their strategic decisions.

He is a Ph.D. graduate of the NYU Center for Graphic Communications Management and Technology (1987) and serves on the Center's Board of Advisors. He holds an MBA in Management Information Systems from Iona College (1981) and was a magna cum laude graduate in Managerial Sciences and Marketing from Manhattan College (1978), and was a member of the economics honor society. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in marketing, market research, quantitative analysis, business policy, and organizational behavior. He started in the industry with Agfa's Graphic Systems Division and was later a marketing executive with Chemco Photoproducts, entering consulting full time in 1987. Among his publications is the controversial "Renewing the Print Industry: A Contrarian's Constructive Perspective."

Margie Dana

Founder
Print Buyers International, LLC

Margie is the founder of Print Buyers International, LLC, an international organization that's dedicated to serving buyers worldwide through online education and event production. She also founded Boston Print Buyers, a Division of Print Buyers International. It is a professional group that brings networking and educational opportunities to New England professionals who purchase or influence the purchase of printing.

In addition to authoring dozens of articles about the business of printing, Margie has published her first book. "Put It on Paper! Every Person's Guide to the Printing Industry," is available via www.bostonprintbuyers.com in both hard copy and as an e-book. It is an edited compilation of 60 of her Print Tips and is ideal for those new to the printing industry.

Since 1999, Margie has published her well-know industry enewsletter, Margie's Print Tips, which is now read by thousands of professionals in over 25 countries. To subscribe (it's free!), visit www.printbuyersinternational.com.

In 2006, American Printer launched Print & Media Buyer, the first-ever U.S. magazine for professionals who buy printing. Margie is the Senior Contributing Editor of this quarterly publication.

A popular speaker on the subject of the printer/print buyer relationship, Margie has delivered keynote addresses in New England, California, the UK, and in New Zealand. In addition, she was chosen to chair the first-ever Print Buyers Conference on September 11th at Graph Expo this year.

Daniel Dejan

National Print & Creative Specialist
Sappi Fine Paper

In this position, Mr. Dejan provides value-added marketing and sales and technical consultation. Additionally, he conducts internal and external educational programs to the print, paper and creative communities. Mr. Dejan comes to this position after 30 years as an award-winning graphic designer, art director, creative director, print production manager and buyer.

A dedicated graphics arts educator, author and consultant with many years of national and international experience, Mr. Dejan has been invited to judge numerous graphic design and print competitions, written extensively for graphic arts trade publications and has sat on the boards of several graphic arts associations and companies.

Cheryl Kahanec

Vice President and Director Digital Solutions
Sandy Alexander, Inc.

Cheryl Kahanec, a frequent speaker who has been featured and quoted in many leading industry publications, is one of the digital printing industry's leading authorities in variable data applications. Over the past several years, she has worked with many major companies in the selection and development of products and services for the industry, including HP, IBM, Adobe, Kodak, and Xerox.

Cheryl is one of the printing industry's leading implementers of variable data color imaging technology, spearheading the growth of the printing industry's most revolutionary segment. Her involvement with the digital printing industry began when she was asked to help evaluate the benefits of Indigo's first E-Print 1000 for a former employer. With her strong production knowledge and marketing background, Cheryl immediately fell in love with the digital technology. When her employer decided to pass on the digital press, Kahanec decided she couldn't let the new digital technology go. She gave notice and started her own successful digital printing firm.

Along the way, Cheryl has worked closely with the industry's key manufacturers and implementers to develop, test, and improve software and hardware solutions for digital printing and variable data. She has also worked hand-in-hand with customers to create innovative, high-impact marketing packages and programs utilizing digital printing technology.

Cheryl was named the "Florence Joachim Women Executive of the Year" for 2006 and was also a recipient of the Luminaire Award for 2007.

She is invited to participate in every major digital industry program. Her speaking engagements and associations include Xplor, Drupa, Seybold, PODI [Print-On-Demand-Initiative] seminars, VuePoint, Women in Direct Marketing, DMA, Primex, Spectrum, CAP Ventures- Print On Demand Conference, International Prepress Association Conference, Printing Industries of America (Digital Printing Steering Committee), P3, CGATS, and many more. She is also a member of the board of Printing Industries Alliance, P3 and DICE.

Bob Wagner

Vice President
Xerox Creative Services
Business and Premier Partners Program

Bob is responsible for the marketing of advanced digital document solutions to creative services businesses worldwide, including advertising agencies, direct marketing firms, graphic design studios and public relations companies. The Xerox Creative Services Business is one of seven segments that comprise Xerox's Worldwide Graphic Communications Industry Business. In addition, Bob is executive director of the worldwide Xerox Graphic Arts Premier Partners Program, a global affinity network of 600 vanguard, Xerox production-equipped digital graphic communications services providers.

Prior to joining Xerox Corporation in 1991, Bob was a vice president and account director at the Rochester, N.Y. office of Young & Rubicam, a leading marketing communications agency. He holds an MBA in marketing from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and a BA in communications from Seton Hall University. Bob has completed advanced courses in advertising, branding and integrated marketing, including executive seminars at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is an adjunct faculty member of RIT, where he teaches a Multimedia Strategies course at its School of Print Media. Bob resides in Rochester with his wife, Kathy, an artist, and his daughter, Julia Rose, 15.

Nick Patrissi

Senior Marketing Manager
Kodak Graphic Communications Group

Nick Patrissi is Senior Marketing Manager, World Wide Customer Development for the Graphic Communications Group of Eastman Kodak. Nick works with the various Kodak worldwide business regions and product groups to build brand awareness and value for Kodak's MarketMover Business Development Services. In that role he works with customers and field based Business Development Specialists to identify customer needs and strengthen the marketing offerings of innovative tools, services and support for Kodak customers.

Nick also continues to support the industry as speaker, trainer and industry advisor on several industry association committees and boards.

Nick's Graphic Arts career spans over 28 years in sales and marketing for industry leading companies such as 3M, Imation Enterprises, Creo and Eastman Kodak Company. He was involved in the introduction of several Color Proofing technologies and is a recognized speaker on the topics of Color, Color Proofing and Digital Print Technology.

Industry recognition includes several professional awards including the Gamma Gold Key Award, the P3Luminaire Award, the NYCT Founders Gold Medal & Citation Award, and the Graphic Arts Good Scout Award.

Frank Romano

Professor Emeritus
RIT

Frank Romano has spent over 40 years in the printing and publishing industries. Many know him best as the editor of the International Paper Pocket Pal or from the hundreds of articles he has written for publications from North America and Europe to the Middle East to Asia and Australia.

He is the author of over 44 books, including the 10,000-term Encyclopedia of Graphic Communications (with Richard Romano), the standard reference in the field. His books on QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, and PDF workflow were among the first in their fields. He has authored most of the books on digital printing. His latest book is the 800-page textbook for Moscow State University.

He has founded eight publications, serving as publisher or editor for TypeWorld/Electronic Publishing (which ended in its 30th year of publication), Computer Artist, Color Publishing, The Typographer, EP&P, and both the NCPA and PrintRIT Journals. His columns appear monthly in the Digital Printing Report. He is the editor of the EDSF Report.

Romano lectures extensively, having addressed virtually every club, association, group, and professional organization at one time or another. He is one of the industry's foremost keynote speakers.

He has consulted for major corporations, publishers, government, and other users of digital printing and publishing technology. He wrote the first report on on-demand digital printing in 1980 and ran the first conference on the subject in 1985. He has conceptualized many of the workflow and applications techniques of the industry and was the principal researcher on the landmark EDSF study, Printing in the Age of the Web and Beyond.

He has been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Times of London, USA Today, Business Week, Forbes, and many other newspapers and publications, as well as on TV and radio. He has partnered with InfoTrends on strategic information for the printing industry. He continues to teach courses at RIT and other universities and works with students on unique research projects.

Jack Miller

Senior Consultant, North America
Pira International

Known as "The Paper Guru," Jack is Senior Consultant, North America, for Pira International. He writes regularly for Canadian Printer magazine and has also written for Printing Impressions and Package Printing magazines. Jack’s the author of the Risi study, "Trend Price and the Earnings of North American Paper Producers," and has presented on paper-related topics to numerous conferences.

Brian Rooney

Chief Technology Officer
Pantone, Inc.

As a member of Pantone's senior management team, Brian leads the company's technical organization and is responsible for identifying growth opportunities, expanding existing product lines, and developing new technologies, innovative products and customer services. He also plays an integral role in strategic planning, product development and marketing and sales support on a global basis as well as being tasked with the responsibility for fostering new business relationships and strategic partnerships and licensing arrangements for Pantone.

Prior to Pantone, Brian was with Xerox Corporation. His senior-level assignments included managing Strategy and Product Planning for Xerox's Workflow Business Team; General Manager for Advanced Solutions Sales; Manager of Production Color Marketing; and Business Team Manager for the award winning DocuColor product line.

Before coming to Xerox, Brian held various positions at Agfa, where he was responsible for Agfa's award-winning SelectSet and Avantra series of high-speed and high-resolution internal drum laser imagesetting systems.

Brian holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Cornell University and is a graduate of both the Northwestern University Kellogg School and Columbia University Business School Executive Programs.

Adobe

Diane Dragoff

Purchasing Manager
United Way of Massachusetts Bay

Diane is the Purchasing Manager for United Way of Mass Bay in Boston. She has worked in jobs covering the gamut of the graphics career spectrum. A teacher and fine artist by training, Diane learned the arts of paste-up, type design, sign painting and photo styling and worked as a freelance designer and production manager. Diane started buying design services, photography, and printing in the 80s for a real estate investment company. Her printing plant experiences were at Dynagraf and at Daniels Printing. She currently oversees the purchasing of everything from pencils to hospitality services for UWMB.

Derek Awalt

Kodak Graphic Communications Group

In January 2006, Derek Awalt was appointed global product manager for halftone proofing for Kodak Graphic Communications Group. Prior to that appointment, Derek was product marketing manager for halftone and inkjet proofing for Kodak Polychrome Graphics. Prior to joining KPG, he served as product marketing manager for proofing and color management solutions for Creo Europe in Waterloo Belgium. Before Creo, Derek worked at Iris Graphics on their desktop and wide format inkjet solutions. His graphic arts career started when he was appointed director of marketing for Katz Digital Technologies, a former prominent New York City service bureau. Derek studied marketing and attained a B.A. degree from Johnson and Wales University in Providence Rhode Island.