David Savastano, Ink World Editor05.19.11
From left, former NAPIM executive director James Sutphin and his wife, Louise; Sue and Jim Coleman; and Randi and Brad Bergey, who is succeeding Mr. Coleman as executive director of NAPIM. |
On April 30, 2011, James Coleman, executive director of the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM), stepped down after 14 years as the association’s leader, handing the reins to Brad Bergey.
Mr. Coleman joined the product development laboratories of Borden Chemical in 1961. He rose through the ranks at Borden, becoming vice president manufacturing/technical, before moving to J. M. Huber’s Printing Ink Division in 1984 to become its president one year later. He joined NAPIM in 1996, working with then-executive director Jimmy Sutphin before taking over as executive director in 1997, with an eye toward continuing NAPIM’s traditions.
“I had been involved with NAPIM as a member for many years, and had been an officer of both NAPIM and NPIRI,” Mr. Coleman said. “Both Jim Renson and Jimmy Sutphin had worked hard to establish a tradition of member service at NAPIM and I wanted to make sure its legacy continued.I served under seven presidents, and I enjoyed working with each of them.”
Times have changed for the ink industry, and NAPIM had to move forward as well.
“The industry has changed and so has NAPIM,” Mr. Coleman said. “It was a different environment then, with personalities like Bob Gans, Howard Flint and Massie Odiotti, who among others were committed to an association prepared to speak for the industry. We have fewer member companies and fewer potential member companies due to consolidation but the needs are similar.
“The struggle for NAPIM is to keep dues steady at an acceptable level while creating other streams of non-dues revenue,” Mr. Coleman continued. “Companies used to bring a few extra people to our conventions and conferences, and it is a lot different today. Even through difficult economic times and the increasing pressure on all of our members, we did not increase our dues, managed frugally and wisely used our resources, which was critical.”
Mr. Coleman spoke of the importance of NAPIM for the industry, in providing information and resources for members, and the need to keep the association focused on ink issues only.
“Any industry, no matter its size, needs a voice, and NAPIM is that advocate for our industry,” Mr. Coleman said. “For the companies that have committed resources, NAPIM provides an efficient channel of information on legislative and regulatory issues. Members can call NAPIM and have an answer in a matter of minutes.
“Key to providing value to the association’s membership is the capability to focus on printing ink related issues along with cooperation with the trade associations that also serve the graphic arts industry and specialty chemicals needs.
“That NAPIM has been around since 1917 has to speak something of our value,” Mr. Coleman added. “Even though the technology changes, the regulations apply to all types of printing ink.”
Mr. Coleman said that NAPIM is in good hands with Mr. Bergey and George Fuchs, NAPIM’s director – regulatory affairs and technology.
“I think Brad will be a very good replacement,” Mr. Coleman said. “He knows the industry.With his sales and marketing background, the Board of Directors will emphasize the broadening of the membership base. George’s responsibilities have been increased and they will form an effective two-man team.”
Mr. Coleman and his wife Sue have been a team at NAPIM, and he said that they have made many friends in the industry.
“NAPIM will miss Sue a lot more than it will miss me, but I get to keep her,” Mr. Coleman said. “We thoroughly enjoyed our years at NAPIM, and developed friendships that will last a lifetime.”