Alliance Speakers Bureau
PRINTING United Alliance is the new entity borne of the merger between Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and Printing Industries of America (PIA). In a milestone in the printing industry, on May 1, 2020, SGIA and PIA officially combined to create the largest, most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in the United States.
The printing industry and Alliance members have unparalleled access to preeminent education, training, workshops, events, research, government and legislative representation, safety and environmental sustainability guidance, as well as resources from the leading media company in the industry – NAPCO Media. These resources are led by some of the foremost subject matter experts and leaders in the industry, many of whom are PRINTING United Alliance employees.
Many of our employees are renowned industry veterans who are frequently asked to speak at conferences and events around the world, as it pertains to each of their respective subject matter expertise.
Government Affairs
Michael Makin
Executive Vice President
Michael Makin was appointed President and CEO of Printing Industries of America on August 1, 2002. Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Mr. Makin attended Carleton University in Ottawa where graduated with honors with a degree in Journalism in 1986. He also holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Speaking Topics:
Marci Kinter
Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs
Since 1989, Marci has advocated on behalf of the industry before state and federal regulatory agencies. She is a leading expert on integration and adoption of environmental, and safety & health rules and regulations that impact our industry sector. Speaking before audiences at conventions, conferences, and other industry events, Marci understands what it takes to develop and integrate comprehensive plans and present them in a manner easily grasped and understood by the audience. Marci holds bachelor’s degree in urban planning from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University.
Speaking Topics:
Lisbeth Lyons
Vice President, Government and Political Affairs
With more than 20 years of experience representing the voice of business and industry on Capitol Hill, Lisbeth advocates for public policies that protect and advance the economic future of the printing and packaging industry. She oversees PRINTING United Alliance’s legislative, political, and grassroots advocacy initiatives. Lisbeth holds a B.A. from DePauw University and a professional graduate certificate from The George Washington University School of Political Management. Lisbeth is often a featured speaker at premier industry conferences.
Speaking Topics:
Gary Jones
Director, Environmental, Health and Safety Affairs
Gary A. Jones is the Director of Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance in Fairfax, VA. His primary responsibility is to monitor and analyze EHS regulatory activities at all domestic and some international government levels. He provides representation on behalf of the printing and specialty graphic imaging industry. Mr. Jones works closely with the federal and state-level Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and other agencies. He also provides membership assistance on EHS compliance and sustainability programs through a variety of approaches including responding to inquiries, presentations, writing, and consulting services. He holds a BS in biology from LaRoche College and an MS in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.Speaking Topics:
Adriane Harrison
Vice President, Human Relations Consulting
Adriane Harrison is the Vice President of Human Relations Consulting at PRINTING United Alliance. With a background in law, business, and non-profit sectors, Adriane brings a wealth of knowledge to address issues across all aspects of human resources. Adriane is a relatable speaker that uses interactive techniques to provide understandable strategies for HR success. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Journalism), and DePaul University College of Law.Speaking Topics:
Research
Andrew D. Paparozzi
Chief Economist
Andrew D. Paparozzi is Chief Economist at PRINTING United Alliance. His responsibilities include analyzing and reporting on the printing industry’s performance and prospects. His primary responsibility, however, is being an observer of the industry, listening carefully to the issues and concerns of company owners, executives, and managers. Paparozzi’s work at PRINTING United Alliance includes the COVID-19 Print Business Indicators Research series, the Growth Strategies and Capital Investment Report, the Printing Industry Markets and Products Report, and Economy Watch. He is a regular speaker at printing industry conferences and a regular contributor to the industry trade press. Paparozzi joined PRINTING United Alliance in July 2018. Previously, he worked 31 years at the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), where he developed the Association’s State of the Industry Series, Capital Investment Report, and Compensation Series.Speaking Topics:
Nathan Safran
Vice President, Research, NAPCO Media
Nathan Safran is Vice President, Research for NAPCO Media, the parent company of Printing Impressions, In-plant Impressions and Packaging Impressions and Wide-Format Impressions. Nathan is a former Forrester Research Analyst with deep experience designing custom research solutions that solve client business problems. Nathan works with the subject matter experts across NAPCO’s brands to design research solutions that leverage NAPCO’s engage audiences and provides deep insight. Nathan is a frequent speaker at industry events and his research has been cited in the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and Fortune Magazine.Speaking Topics:
Lisa Cross
Principal Analyst, NAPCO Media
Lisa Cross is the principal analyst of NAPCO Research where she conducts market research and analysis on emerging trends, business development strategies, and changing dynamics in the commercial printing, in-plant and packaging industries, and the market forces that are driving those changes. With decades of experience monitoring, researching, surveying, and reporting on the graphic arts and marketing industries, she works with customers to use research to solve business challenges, enhance customer engagement, and identify market opportunities.Speaking Topics:
Education
Joe Marin
Senior Vice President, Education and Training
Joe Marin is Senior Vice President, Education and Training at PRINTING United Alliance and is passionate about helping people learn, advance, and grow. He has spent the majority of his career in the printing industry and is one of the leading voices on digital technologies, speaking at major industry trade shows and conferences on topics related to succeeding in a digital print environment. Joe developed and manages the iLearning Center eLearning platform—the industry’s go-to resource for online education—and has authored many of the courses found there. While managing learning and education is his primary job function by day, Joe also can be found where the paved road ends or attending classic car shows.
Speaking Topics:
Jim Workman
Vice President, Technology and Research
Jim Workman is a 37-year industry veteran currently responsible for helping companies make smart decisions about technology, manufacture efficiently and productively, and solve technical challenges. He manages the InterTech Technology Award competition, the organization’s consulting service, and its annual Continuous Improvement Conference. In addition, Jim serves as the managing director of the Technical Association of the Graphic Arts, a group within PRINTING United Alliance that disseminates information on research and innovations in graphic communications technology. Jim has spoken at numerous trade shows, printing associations, and events. He has an MBA degree from Rochester Institute of Technology.Speaking Topics:
Ray Weiss
Director, Digital Print Programs
Ray Weiss began his career in printing after an eight-year stint in the US Air Force military police. Ray joined a DC nonprofit in the typesetting department, which led to his own prepress and design firm in downtown DC and later a printing operation in MD. Ray then went into wide format inkjet sales, service, and support with customers from PA to VA. Ray joined SGIA (now PRINTING United Alliance) in 2014 and is the project manager for the PDAA and Digital Color Professional Certification programs. Ray speaks at industry conferences and events, including Digital Textile Printing, Digital Print for Packaging, PICA’s Fall meeting, AICC Digital Seminar, GPI Meeting, Textile World USA, Wide-Format Exchange, and the Wide Format 101 event at PRINTING United.Speaking Topics:
NAPCO Media
Denise M. Gustavson
Editorial Director, NAPCO Media
With more than 20 years of experience in the visual communication markets, Gustavson has in-depth knowledge of the issues, challenges and technologies of the wide-format/sign and graphics industry. Speaking Topics:
Mark Michelson
Editor-in-Chief, Printing Impressions magazine
Mark Michelson has served as editor-in-chief of Printing Impressions since 1985. He received the Tom McMillan Award for graphic arts industry journalistic excellence in 2004 and is an inductee into the NAPL (now Idealliance) Soderstrom Society and the PIA Ben Franklin Honor Society. Printing Impressions has also received numerous APEX Awards for Publication Excellence over the years, and Michelson is responsible for establishing the Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame, the annual Printing Impressions 400 ranking of the top printers, and the Gold Ink Awards printing contest. He also plays a key role in the annual Inkjet Summit.Speaking Topics:
Bob Neubauer
Editor-in-Chief, In-plant Impressions magazine
Bob Neubauer is the chief editor and content director of In-plant Impressions. He conducts market research, leads webinars, produces a biweekly eNewsletter and writes and edits articles for the magazine and website. He has served as editor since October 1994, following a three-year stint as managing editor of Printing Impressions. Before that, he was a reporter with the Philadelphia Inquirer, and also a freelance travel writer for the Inquirer, the L.A. Times, the San Francisco Examiner and other newspapers. His book, "Two Wheels and a Map," chronicles his solo bicycle ride down the East Coast, from Maine to Florida. Bob is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences, and has visited about 170 in-plant operations to keep abreast of managers’ concerns. Bob has coordinated numerous conferences and seminars for in-plants and has given scores of presentations to in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia.Speaking Topics:
Cory Francer
Editor-in-Chief, Packaging Impressions magazine
Cory Francer has served as editor of Packaging Impressions since 2014 and has spent the last 10 years working in the journalism, media, and publishing fields. In his time with Packaging Impressions, Cory has helped grow the publication in print and beyond, positioning it to serve as the leading source of industry news and information for all packaging segments and printing technologies. Cory has helped develop Packaging Impressions into an omni-channel brand that includes digital and print content, multimedia, research, e-learning, live events and more.Speaking Topics:
Jen DiPasquale
President & Co-founder, Women in Retail and Total Retail
Jennifer DiPasquale is the president and co-founder of Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) and Total Retail. She is a seasoned B-to-B media executive with more than 20 years of experience in the retail industry. Jen launched the Women in Retail Leadership Circle, an exclusive community of women executives at leading retailers and brands, whose mission is to foster leadership development for executive women in retail by providing an unparalleled mix of events, content, and elite connections. Under Jen’s leadership, WIRLC has realized triple-digit growth over the past five years. Jen is the recipient of the esteemed Women in Publishing Award for Entrepreneurs. Jen has also launched a series of events in the retail industry, including marquis events such as the Women in Retail Leadership Summit and Total Retail Tech. She is the conduit between leading retailers and technology solution and service providers.Speaking Topics:
Request a Speaker
To request a PRINTING United Alliance speaker for your event, please fill out the form below. Our thought leaders are available to speak at your industry event or conference at a standard rate, plus travel and expenses. Please note that the same fee applies for in-person or online events.
Consultative services are also available upon request. Please reach out to speakers@printing.org for further information. Note that projects must be pre-approved with completed projected estimation of project scope and fees.
For any other questions, please contact Amanda Kliegl, VP of Public Relations, at akliegl@printing.org or by phone 407-346-9800.