David Savastano, Editor05.20.19
Since joining the industry in the early 1980s, John Sergeant, sales manager at Modern Printing Colors, has made his mark through his dedication to the business.
Sergeant has served NAPIM/NPIRI by participating on numerous technical and business committees, and currently is a member of the Management Information Committee. He has also served on the Chicago Printing Ink Production Club (CPIPC) Board in all capacities and continues to support the club through his active participation.
“Being able to be involved with CPIPC serving on the board, being recognized by my colleagues by receiving the Service Award and President’s Award from the CPIPC and most recently receiving the Pioneer Award from NAPIM, are highlights for me,” Sergeant said.
“What a great honor it is to be recognized by your peers,” he added. “I have been involved in NAPIM for several years on the board and you see all the great accomplishments of previous award winners, and to now be one of them means a lot.”
After graduating from Southern Illinois University with a degree in radio and TV communications, Sergeant was hired by Suresh Mahajan as plant manager for General Press Colors in the early 1980s.
“I was there for eight-plus years and left for a brief time as general manager with a filtration company, only to return back to the ink industry in 1998 when Suresh branched out and started Modern Printing Colors, rejoining him in sales this time,” Sergeant said.
Outside of work, Sergeant has been married to his wife, Cathy, for 43 years. They have two sons, John and Jason, and five grandchildren, who keep him busy.
“I have always enjoyed woodworking, fishing and boating, and with the five grandkids, trying to keep up with them,” Sergeant said.
Sergeant noted that he has had many people who influenced and mentored him.
“Through the years I have met so many colleagues that served as mentors along the way,” Sergeant said. “Suresh above all has allowed me the freedom to work in the different organization, and through his understanding of the industry, has proved to be a great source of guidance. From the personal side, Cathy, my wife of 43 years, has always been supportive of my crazy and sometimes long hours through the years. And my dad of 92 years who recently passed always told me work hard and to be kind, and everything else will fall into place,” Sergeant said.
At the end of the day, the key is to keep looking ahead for new opportunities.
“The biggest change has been our industry becoming such a global market place,” Sergeant said. “We have seen a great loss of manufacturing here in the states, along with a lot of consolidation. This industry requires one to continually be looking ahead for new and different opportunities. If you spend your energy looking back at what use to be, then you’ve already lost the race.”
Sergeant has served NAPIM/NPIRI by participating on numerous technical and business committees, and currently is a member of the Management Information Committee. He has also served on the Chicago Printing Ink Production Club (CPIPC) Board in all capacities and continues to support the club through his active participation.
“Being able to be involved with CPIPC serving on the board, being recognized by my colleagues by receiving the Service Award and President’s Award from the CPIPC and most recently receiving the Pioneer Award from NAPIM, are highlights for me,” Sergeant said.
“What a great honor it is to be recognized by your peers,” he added. “I have been involved in NAPIM for several years on the board and you see all the great accomplishments of previous award winners, and to now be one of them means a lot.”
After graduating from Southern Illinois University with a degree in radio and TV communications, Sergeant was hired by Suresh Mahajan as plant manager for General Press Colors in the early 1980s.
“I was there for eight-plus years and left for a brief time as general manager with a filtration company, only to return back to the ink industry in 1998 when Suresh branched out and started Modern Printing Colors, rejoining him in sales this time,” Sergeant said.
Outside of work, Sergeant has been married to his wife, Cathy, for 43 years. They have two sons, John and Jason, and five grandchildren, who keep him busy.
“I have always enjoyed woodworking, fishing and boating, and with the five grandkids, trying to keep up with them,” Sergeant said.
Sergeant noted that he has had many people who influenced and mentored him.
“Through the years I have met so many colleagues that served as mentors along the way,” Sergeant said. “Suresh above all has allowed me the freedom to work in the different organization, and through his understanding of the industry, has proved to be a great source of guidance. From the personal side, Cathy, my wife of 43 years, has always been supportive of my crazy and sometimes long hours through the years. And my dad of 92 years who recently passed always told me work hard and to be kind, and everything else will fall into place,” Sergeant said.
At the end of the day, the key is to keep looking ahead for new opportunities.
“The biggest change has been our industry becoming such a global market place,” Sergeant said. “We have seen a great loss of manufacturing here in the states, along with a lot of consolidation. This industry requires one to continually be looking ahead for new and different opportunities. If you spend your energy looking back at what use to be, then you’ve already lost the race.”
