Dave Savastano, Editor05.20.15
In 2006, Ron Tarewicz was looking for a new challenge. He decided to join Colorcon No-Tox Products as manager of technical services/QC. By doing so, he utilized his 31 years of experience at American Inks & Coatings to work with Colorcon’s FDA-compliant inks for food applications.
“Throughout my career, I knew Mike Gettis and Jerry Napiecek at Colorcon, and when I had the chance to join Colorcon, I knew it was the place for me,” said Tarewicz, who is now the manager of scientific affairs for Colorcon. “My skill set, acquired in the conventional ink market, has provided a unique foundation for me in the FDA-compliant printing ink market.”
“Over the years, Ron’s dedication to the printing ink industry is evident not only by his tenure but the desire to share his acquired knowledge to those who he trains and meets,” said Gettis, Colorcon’s GM. “Ron’s experience in the conventional ink market helped Colorcon to improve the product offerings we have for food applications. He works diligently with his technical teams, helping them understand the need for knowledgeable customer interaction.”
Tarewicz’s career in the ink industry began in 1975 at American Inks and Coatings, when he was hired as a lab technician in Valley Forge, PA.
“At that time, I provided gravure and flexo color proofs to customers, made dispersions and samples for the lab chemists and maintained the lab raw materials,” he said. “From 1975 to 2006, I advanced within the American Inks organization. I held the positions of ink chemist (1980-85); assistant technical director (1985-1992); manager, technical services (1992-2005); and branch manager (2005-2006).
“In those positions I was responsible for the development of various water-based products and ink lines, which supported many converters’ transition from solvent-based inks to water-based ink systems,” he added. “I provided technical support to the sales group attending press trials and established priorities for the development of products for new business opportunities. I also supported customers providing various regulatory requests.”
Tarewicz’s efforts within the ink industry go far beyond his work at Colorcon, as he is also an active supporter of NAPIM.
“I have been a member of NAPIM since the 1980s,” he noted. “I attended various NAPIM and NPIRI meetings, including the Technical Conferences. I presented at the 2003 NAPIM Convention, and have worked as a moderator at NPIRI technical meetings. I participated on the committee that developed the Printing Ink Manual and white/position paper on Food Packaging Regulations.”
Tarewicz said that he had many mentors along the way, from the people he worked with at American Inks and Coatings to Gettis and Napiecek at Colorcon.
“In my years with American Inks and Coatings, I gained a lot of technical knowledge from the likes of Richard Stone and Bob Anthony, both former technical directors with the company,” he said. “I had the pleasure in my early years to work with the past management of the company, Derwood Lee and Eugene Buttle. I then worked closely with William Rimel, former president at American Inks and past NAPIM president. In my later years, when the company was purchased, I worked with Jerry Mosley and Mitch Baker. I believe each of these people has influenced me in some way in my career.”
Outside of work, Tarewicz enjoys time with his family.
“I was always competitive in sports and coached my two sons, Jason and Stephen, as they were playing and growing up,” he said. “Now I enjoy playing golf and billiards with them and the competitive nature they will always have. I enjoy the summer weekends at the shore with my wife of 35 years, Cindy, playing golf, riding bikes and kicking back at the beach with my favorite cigar.”
Tarewicz said that receiving the Pioneer Award came as a surprise to him.
“I was surprised and very honored to receive the award,” Tarewicz said. “Knowing that people in the industry recognize what you do and feel strongly that you are deserving to receive such an award gives you a great feeling of satisfaction and that you have been part of something very special throughout your working career.”
Tarewicz’s colleagues say he is a deserving choice for the Pioneer Award.
Napiecek, area technical manager/QA at Colorcon, said that Tarewicz established himself as a true pioneer in the ink industry long before joining Colorcon.
“Ron helped American Inks and Coatings grow by means of his new product innovations and process improvements,” Napiecek added. “He has succeeded in both the technical and sales sides of our industry. He has always been a teacher and mentor to new and established employees alike as well as being a long-time supporter of both NAPIM and NPIRI. Ron is also equally comfortable sharing his knowledge to help meet customer needs, whether it be by developing a new ink, solving a press-performance problem, trouble-shooting an end-use issue or negotiating and finalizing a sales opportunity. He is truly a consummate ink professional.”
“Ron immediately became part of the Colorcon No-Tox family when he began working here in 2006,” said Tom Lang, Colorcon’s purchasing and planning manager. “His 40 years of experience and his dedication to the ink industry prove he was the right choice as this year’s Pioneer Award recipient.”
– David Savastano
“Throughout my career, I knew Mike Gettis and Jerry Napiecek at Colorcon, and when I had the chance to join Colorcon, I knew it was the place for me,” said Tarewicz, who is now the manager of scientific affairs for Colorcon. “My skill set, acquired in the conventional ink market, has provided a unique foundation for me in the FDA-compliant printing ink market.”
“Over the years, Ron’s dedication to the printing ink industry is evident not only by his tenure but the desire to share his acquired knowledge to those who he trains and meets,” said Gettis, Colorcon’s GM. “Ron’s experience in the conventional ink market helped Colorcon to improve the product offerings we have for food applications. He works diligently with his technical teams, helping them understand the need for knowledgeable customer interaction.”
Tarewicz’s career in the ink industry began in 1975 at American Inks and Coatings, when he was hired as a lab technician in Valley Forge, PA.
“At that time, I provided gravure and flexo color proofs to customers, made dispersions and samples for the lab chemists and maintained the lab raw materials,” he said. “From 1975 to 2006, I advanced within the American Inks organization. I held the positions of ink chemist (1980-85); assistant technical director (1985-1992); manager, technical services (1992-2005); and branch manager (2005-2006).
“In those positions I was responsible for the development of various water-based products and ink lines, which supported many converters’ transition from solvent-based inks to water-based ink systems,” he added. “I provided technical support to the sales group attending press trials and established priorities for the development of products for new business opportunities. I also supported customers providing various regulatory requests.”
Tarewicz’s efforts within the ink industry go far beyond his work at Colorcon, as he is also an active supporter of NAPIM.
“I have been a member of NAPIM since the 1980s,” he noted. “I attended various NAPIM and NPIRI meetings, including the Technical Conferences. I presented at the 2003 NAPIM Convention, and have worked as a moderator at NPIRI technical meetings. I participated on the committee that developed the Printing Ink Manual and white/position paper on Food Packaging Regulations.”
Tarewicz said that he had many mentors along the way, from the people he worked with at American Inks and Coatings to Gettis and Napiecek at Colorcon.
“In my years with American Inks and Coatings, I gained a lot of technical knowledge from the likes of Richard Stone and Bob Anthony, both former technical directors with the company,” he said. “I had the pleasure in my early years to work with the past management of the company, Derwood Lee and Eugene Buttle. I then worked closely with William Rimel, former president at American Inks and past NAPIM president. In my later years, when the company was purchased, I worked with Jerry Mosley and Mitch Baker. I believe each of these people has influenced me in some way in my career.”
Outside of work, Tarewicz enjoys time with his family.
“I was always competitive in sports and coached my two sons, Jason and Stephen, as they were playing and growing up,” he said. “Now I enjoy playing golf and billiards with them and the competitive nature they will always have. I enjoy the summer weekends at the shore with my wife of 35 years, Cindy, playing golf, riding bikes and kicking back at the beach with my favorite cigar.”
Tarewicz said that receiving the Pioneer Award came as a surprise to him.
“I was surprised and very honored to receive the award,” Tarewicz said. “Knowing that people in the industry recognize what you do and feel strongly that you are deserving to receive such an award gives you a great feeling of satisfaction and that you have been part of something very special throughout your working career.”
Tarewicz’s colleagues say he is a deserving choice for the Pioneer Award.
Napiecek, area technical manager/QA at Colorcon, said that Tarewicz established himself as a true pioneer in the ink industry long before joining Colorcon.
“Ron helped American Inks and Coatings grow by means of his new product innovations and process improvements,” Napiecek added. “He has succeeded in both the technical and sales sides of our industry. He has always been a teacher and mentor to new and established employees alike as well as being a long-time supporter of both NAPIM and NPIRI. Ron is also equally comfortable sharing his knowledge to help meet customer needs, whether it be by developing a new ink, solving a press-performance problem, trouble-shooting an end-use issue or negotiating and finalizing a sales opportunity. He is truly a consummate ink professional.”
“Ron immediately became part of the Colorcon No-Tox family when he began working here in 2006,” said Tom Lang, Colorcon’s purchasing and planning manager. “His 40 years of experience and his dedication to the ink industry prove he was the right choice as this year’s Pioneer Award recipient.”
– David Savastano