The selection of members to receive the annual FTA President’s Award is the result of a collaborative process that takes into consideration a variety of factors—all focusing on individuals who have demonstrated a strong support of the core values that FTA/FFTA espouses. This organization has consistently grown and prospered as the direct result of a volunteer base representing committed individuals who see the value of dedicating their time and talent for the collective good of the flexographic business community.
Leaders don’t wait to be asked and they don’t take their commitments lightly; they formulate ideas and see themselves involved in areas that best utilize their talents. Over the years, the FTA President’s Award has been bestowed annually on individuals who understand this philosophy of leadership and who commit themselves to taking on the responsibility of being an industry driver.
Robb Frimming, print services director at Schawk, has been an exceptionally active member of the flexographic community and FTA programs in a variety of diverse areas. Ask anyone and they will tell you that Robb is, “all about data.” Utilizing his expertise in this arena, he was instrumental in working with the Technical Education Services Team to implement a custom data collection process for the FIRST Company Certification Program.
Further demonstrating his commitment to quantifying all of the variables that come together within the flexographic workflow, Robb serves on the FQC Executive Committee and has been a key contributor on its Standards Working Group Subcommittee. As a longtime member of the FIRST Committee, he played a very active role in developing FIRST 4.0 and now serves as co chair of the group as it works to complete the next update of the document, due out later this year.
In support of this vital industry initiative, Robb has presented on FTA’s behalf at a number of its Forum and Fall Conference events, in addition to spreading the word via actively participating on various other industry trade groups’ meetings programs. At this year’s Forum, he has taken on the shared chairmanship of the Expanded Gamut Session, where he has used his vast network of connections to assemble an outstanding panel of industry experts from the CPC, design and color management communities. Suffice it to say, Robb is always there for FTA when we need him!
Paul Teachout, technical/OEM accounts manager at Harper Corporation of America, has been another “go-to guy,” generously lending his time and talent to FTA on initiatives that have supported its growth in members, quality recognition and educational development. As an FTA certified FIRST Implementation Specialist, Paul felt it was important to lead by example in demonstrating the importance of the program within the flexographic technical community. Further supporting the goals of this vital certification curriculum, he has actively communicated the value and importance of training and education to printers in collaboration with his company’s OEM partners. During 2013, Paul invited members of the Technical Education Services Team to participate in a very active road show circuit, which helped FTA to spread the word about FIRST Certification to hundreds of people outside of its traditional contact network.
Broadening his involvement beyond industry educational initiatives, he is a strong proponent of developing the industry’s “next generation” of flexographers at the high school and college levels as well. As a judge for the Phoenix Challenge High School Program, Paul was able to utilize his professional experiences throughout his career in interacting with the student contestants as they executed all of the formal elements within the competition, while also lending his affable words of encouragement on the virtues of pursuing a career in this marketplace during the downtime.
Further offering his experience and expertise, serving on the committee for the FTA Excellence in Flexography Awards Competition is yet another example of Paul’s interest in recognizing and encouraging print quality and industry advancement. Beyond the industry’s technical growth, he has also been an active participant in helping to expand FTA’s ranks through his service on its Membership Committee. Paul’s drive and leadership make FTA a more relevant organization!
Congratulations to this year’s two President’s Award honorees. Here’s hoping we’re writing about you next year!