David Savastano, Editor05.15.17
Dave Waller joined the ink industry because he needed a job. “I needed a summer job when I graduated from high school,” Waller recalled. “That was with Acme Printing Ink Co.”
For Waller, that summer job was the start of his career. Now, 43 years later, Waller is INX International Ink Co.’s VP of sales - North America, for the rigid packaging and offset divisions, and is a 2017 Printing Ink Pioneer Award recipient.
“This award is very special to me and it is wonderful to be recognized by your company and the industry. Receiving this award from a prestigious organization like NAPIM makes it all the more memorable,” Waller said. “I have worked with hundreds of dedicated people and been taught and mentored by some of the industry’s finest. Following the lead of those before me, I’ve tried to leave every position I ever held in better shape than the day I started.”
With Acme, Waller started in production, and was promoted to production manager within three years. In 1983, Waller headed into sales, and become a branch manager in 1991.
In 1992, Acme Printing Ink Company was acquired by Sakata INX, and became part of INX International Ink Co. With INX, Waller took on increasingly larger roles, including VP Offset Operations, VP business development Energy Curable Products, and, in 2006, VP sales and marketing Rigid Packaging-Metal and Plastic Technologies. In 2016, he moved to his current position of North American VP for Rigid Packaging and Offset Sales.
A longtime supporter of NAPIM and NPIRI, Waller has also been an active participant at various conferences and trade shows, including the Print Show, Print UV, MetPack, Labelexpo, Rad Tech and the International Metal Decorators Association’s annual event.
Waller also takes a lot of pride in mentoring his colleagues.
“Joining the INX management team as a regional manager, then moving on to a VP position, was a highlight for me,” Waller said. “But most of all it’s been from watching the people I have hired or mentored blossom and grow.”
Waller points to a number of influences, including Art Franke, a past president of Acme Printing Ink and his original boss and mentor, as well as current INX COO John Hrdlick, and current INX president and CEO Rick Clendenning. “On a personal level, my faith and my family have been my foundation and my joy,” Waller added.
“Dave was really deserving of this award and everyone in the INX family are very happy for him,” said Clendenning. “He truly loves this industry and the people he works with. Dave does a great job in mentoring his people so they can move up like he did over the years. He’s a true pioneer and an exceptional professional.”
Waller is certainly appreciative of receiving the Pioneer Award.
“It is always great to be recognized for your efforts and contributions, but to receive a prestigious honor like the Ink Pioneer Award from your peers in the industry in which you participate makes it all the more special to me,” Waller concluded. “It goes without saying, I would never have made it to this point without the support of my family and the wonderful people at Acme and INX that I have learned from and grown with.”
For Waller, that summer job was the start of his career. Now, 43 years later, Waller is INX International Ink Co.’s VP of sales - North America, for the rigid packaging and offset divisions, and is a 2017 Printing Ink Pioneer Award recipient.
“This award is very special to me and it is wonderful to be recognized by your company and the industry. Receiving this award from a prestigious organization like NAPIM makes it all the more memorable,” Waller said. “I have worked with hundreds of dedicated people and been taught and mentored by some of the industry’s finest. Following the lead of those before me, I’ve tried to leave every position I ever held in better shape than the day I started.”
With Acme, Waller started in production, and was promoted to production manager within three years. In 1983, Waller headed into sales, and become a branch manager in 1991.
In 1992, Acme Printing Ink Company was acquired by Sakata INX, and became part of INX International Ink Co. With INX, Waller took on increasingly larger roles, including VP Offset Operations, VP business development Energy Curable Products, and, in 2006, VP sales and marketing Rigid Packaging-Metal and Plastic Technologies. In 2016, he moved to his current position of North American VP for Rigid Packaging and Offset Sales.
A longtime supporter of NAPIM and NPIRI, Waller has also been an active participant at various conferences and trade shows, including the Print Show, Print UV, MetPack, Labelexpo, Rad Tech and the International Metal Decorators Association’s annual event.
Waller also takes a lot of pride in mentoring his colleagues.
“Joining the INX management team as a regional manager, then moving on to a VP position, was a highlight for me,” Waller said. “But most of all it’s been from watching the people I have hired or mentored blossom and grow.”
Waller points to a number of influences, including Art Franke, a past president of Acme Printing Ink and his original boss and mentor, as well as current INX COO John Hrdlick, and current INX president and CEO Rick Clendenning. “On a personal level, my faith and my family have been my foundation and my joy,” Waller added.
“Dave was really deserving of this award and everyone in the INX family are very happy for him,” said Clendenning. “He truly loves this industry and the people he works with. Dave does a great job in mentoring his people so they can move up like he did over the years. He’s a true pioneer and an exceptional professional.”
Waller is certainly appreciative of receiving the Pioneer Award.
“It is always great to be recognized for your efforts and contributions, but to receive a prestigious honor like the Ink Pioneer Award from your peers in the industry in which you participate makes it all the more special to me,” Waller concluded. “It goes without saying, I would never have made it to this point without the support of my family and the wonderful people at Acme and INX that I have learned from and grown with.”