PROMOTIONS
Patrick Frimat was named specialty products business unit manager at Englewood, Colo.-based manufacturer PrintXcelSM. Based at PXGraphix in Toledo, Ohio, he's responsible for ensuring PrintXcel's success with direct mail, label/form and integrated card products. Frimat has 13 years of experience in organizational management, sales, marketing and project execution.
Marilyn Maruskin was promoted to customer service manager at manufacturer Victor Printing, Sharon, Pa. A 5-year company veteran, she's responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction.
Michael Makin was appointed CEO of the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation and Printing Industries of America (PIA). Makin, who has 16 years of trade association management experience, was selected from more than 350 candidates. Most recently, he served as PIA's executive vice president and COO. From 1995 to 2001, Makin served as president of the Canadian Printing Industries Association.
Mel Passarelli joined Waltham, Mass.-based software provider Create!form International Inc. as executive vice president. He's responsible for worldwide sales, marketing, support and professional services. Previously, Passarelli served as executive vice president of worldwide sales and customer support for Omtool Ltd. Irena Mroz was promoted to director of corporate marketing. She's responsible for overseeing worldwide marketing communications, including development and execution of marketing strategies, branding, messaging, product positioning, collateral, advertising, public relations, trade shows and promotions. She also coordinates activities of the company's global marketing staff in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Previously, Mroz served as corporate marketing manager. Jeffrey Nicholson was promoted to director of product marketing. He manages worldwide product marketing and serves as a liaison between customers and the company's marketing, sales and development departments. Nicholson also is responsible for trend analysis, product introduction and positioning, competitive strategy, sales tools development, product direction, focus groups, user groups and product beta programs. Previously, he served as senior product marketing manager.
J. Faulkner was named East region sales manager at St. Louis-based supplier Western Lithotech, a Lastra Group Co. He's responsible for commercial sales of the company's analog and digital printing plate products, chemicals and equipment in states east of the Mississippi River. Previously, Faulkner served three years as technical director in charge of introducing Lastra products to America. He replaces Bill Beste, who was named West region sales manager. Leisa Ethridge was named quality manager of the company's Jacksonville, Texas, plate manufacturing plant. She's responsible for internal organization and customer service quality, as well as product quality assurance on computer-to-plate and conventional plates for commercial printing and newspaper applications. Ethridge, who has served the company for more than 20 years, most recently held the position of corporate training manager. She replaces Dave Madoux, who now serves as product development manager.
Dana Simons was promoted to project manager at Madison, Wis., manufacturer PRINT-TECH Promotional Group Inc. and its Sign Pro division. She's responsible for sales and customer accounts in East Side locations. Simons, who joined PRINT-TECH in 1999, previously served in customer service, human resources and management positions with Cosco Inc., Newell Office Products and the U.S. Army Reserve. Adam Fox joined PRINT-TECH's Images Unlimited division as a graphic designer. He's responsible for typesetting and graphic design. Previously, Fox served as a graphic designer at WinCraft, a creator of sports collectibles.
NEW HIRES
Clif McDougall was named vice president of sales for the U.S. direct marketing operations of Newtown, Pa.-based manufacturer Transcontinental Solutions, a division of G.T.C. Transcontinental Group Ltd., Montreal. McDougall, who has more than 13 years of direct marketing industry experience, is responsible for leading the company's direct marketing products sales team in the United States. Previously, he served as national sales manager for the InteliMail division of Corporate Express Document and Print Management.
Matthew J. Espe was named president and CEO of Malvern, Pa.-based supplier IKON Office Solutions. He also was elected to the company's board of directors. Espe, who has more than 20 years of experience in distribution, sales and marketing, previously served as president and CEO of GE Lighting. James J. Forese remains chairman of IKON's board of directors until its February 2003 meeting.
Charles P. Simmons joined Dayton, Ohio-based manufacturer Standard Register as vice president of sales at its document management strategic business unit. He leads the company's 600 field sales professionals and its sales leadership team. Previously, Simmons served as senior vice president of sales at divine inc., an enterprise technology solutions firm.
Richard Mascola was named regional sales manager for Westmont, Ill.-based supplier MAN Roland's commercial web division. A 16-year graphic arts industry veteran, he oversees sales in a territory that includes the Midwest and Manitoba, Canada. Mascola, who's based in the Chicago area, previously served as regional sales manager of American Roller Co., Bannockburn, Ill., and as territory manager for Kodak Polychrome Graphics. Michael R. Lake joined the company as a district sales manager in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Previously, he served 16 years in a variety of executive positions with Gannett Company Inc., most recently as president/general manager of Gannett Offset Minneapolis.
AWARD
John C. Wurst, CEO of Henry Wurst Inc., North Kansas City, Mo., was awarded the 2002 Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award from Printing Industries of America (PIA) and Graphic Arts Monthly. The award, which honors business leaders who have reached unsurpassed levels of excellence and achievement in the printing industry, recognizes his many years of service and dedication to the graphic arts industry. From 1987 to 1988, he was chairman of the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF). Wurst also served as 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 Pittsburg State University. He served on the board of directors for the Printing Industries Association of Kansas City, Master Printers of America and the Web Offset Society. He received the award Oct. 6 during Graph Expo® in Chicago.
IN MEMORIAM
Donald Lee Prouty, a sales rep at the Oxnard, Calif., office of manufacturer TFP Data Systems, died Sept. 7 after an extended illness. A 30-plus-year industry veteran, Prouty served 12 years with TFP Data Systems and was a mentor and role model to many industry pros. An avid pilot, he previously served in the U.S. Air Force. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Marlu; six children; and six grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Center, c/o Dr. John Bell, Researcher, 503 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, Ontario K1H 1C4, Canada.
