How Volunteer Leaders Help PRINTING United Alliance Drive Change

Have you ever wondered how you can make a real impact and have your voice heard in the printing industry? PRINTING United Alliance volunteer groups continue to drive meaningful progress across advocacy, sustainability, regulatory education, workforce development, and workplace safety, and now is the perfect time to get involved.

Applications for Alliance volunteer groups are open through June 30, giving Alliance members the opportunity to help shape initiatives, resources, and programs that directly support the industry.

Where Volunteers Are Making a Difference

Volunteer groups are organized into three categories — committees, councils, and advisory boards — each focused on specific areas impacting the printing industry.

Volunteer leaders play a critical role in helping the Alliance identify emerging needs, develop practical tools, and strengthen industry connections. Recent accomplishments from Alliance committees and advisory boards highlight the meaningful contributions volunteer members are making across the industry.

Health, Safety & Personnel Advisory Board

The Health, Safety & Personnel Advisory Board provides input and advice on issues related to OSHA regulations and human resources.

“The knowledge share and the advance timing of that knowledge is a great advantage of serving on the HS&P Advisory Board,” says Roger A. Chamberlain, vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company. “Adriane and Gary are absolutely two of the best, if not the best, sources for this information. Each meeting is full of valuable information that impacts our operations.”

The board recently completed a comprehensive OSHA inspection readiness toolkit, designed to close the knowledge gap around OSHA compliance. Together, the OSHA Preparedness Resource Guide and the OSHA Inspection Response Toolkit provide a roadmap for understanding OSHA requirements, preparing a print facility for inspection, and responding if an inspection occurs.

Michelle Waterhouse, human resources manager at Hopkins Printing, shares what it’s like serving on the board:

“Being on this board has allowed me to give input on things that printing companies would find valuable from the Alliance. We have requested new or updated training topics that will help small and large printers. We have the opportunity to give feedback and edits on safety guidance documents before they are published. We also share our knowledge and best practices with the other board members. Gary and Adriane break down the legislative changes for us in plain English. It has been a great experience.”

Ink & Chemical Advisory Board

The Ink & Chemical Advisory Board helps guide Alliance efforts around federal and state legislative and regulatory issues affecting print businesses.

Most recently, the board finalized fact sheets on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), scheduled for release later this year to help members better understand and navigate environmental compliance requirements. The group also began developing a hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) fact sheet, targeted for publication in Q2 2026, while helping incorporate regulatory compliance topics into the Alliance’s ongoing webinar programming.

Rebecca Lipscomb, vice president of global regulatory affairs at INX International Ink Co, says serving on the board allows her to directly contribute to print industry progress and learn about her peers' challenges.

“Active participation on the advisory board ensures our industry is aligned on real challenges and practical solutions," Lipscomb continues. "It’s a rare opportunity to collaborate with peers, influence priorities, and turn shared expertise into outcomes that benefit the entire printing value chain.”

Thomas R. Mawby, principal regulatory specialist at EFI, adds: "Being able to contribute to the content that shapes regulations governing the printing industry is extremely gratifying. Many of the newer regulations regarding printing and printing chemicals are not based on sound scientific knowledge. Providing insight from someone in the industry with over 30 years of experience helps organizations such as PRINTING United produce policy and position papers, as well as instructional papers that are grounded in science."

Dr. Madhu Kaushik, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Vera Inkjet, encourages other members to join, no matter the size of their business:

"At Vera Inkjet, we're a small company with a very specific focus, so being able to sit at the table with industry leaders and contribute to discussions around innovation, sustainability, regulations, and market challenges has been incredibly rewarding. The board isn't about titles or company size. Good ideas are good ideas, and everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Serving gives you a chance to make a real impact. It's easy to feel that industry decisions happen somewhere else, but serving on the Board reminds you that the industry is shaped by people willing to show up, share their expertise, and contribute."

Legislative Affairs Committee

The Legislative Affairs Committee works closely with Alliance leadership on advocacy and legislative issues affecting the industry.

The committee helped support the launch of the Alliance’s Advocacy Center and interactive policy map, which went live in June 2025, giving print professionals easier access to legislative and regulatory updates by state, issue area, and bill.

“It’s rewarding to focus on real issues that affect our employees and our companies and to know that the work we’re doing has a meaningful impact," says Jason Ahart, vice president of production operations at Moss. "Being involved helps strengthen the voice of our workforce, and I would absolutely encourage other Alliance members to participate. Getting involved is a great way to contribute, learn from others, and help make a difference for all of us.”

Committee members also supported successful congressional site tours at Taylor Corp. and multiple Sir Speedy locations. Brooke Hamilton, president and CEO of NPI Nameplates Inc. and immediate past chair of the Alliance’s Board of Directors, hosted visits with several senators and members of Congress. The committee also played a key role in successfully promoting and supporting attendance at the Legislative Fly-In.

Attendees of the 2026 Printing Industry Legislative Fly-In gathered on the steps of Capitol Hill.

Dan Crownover, president of Texas Nameplate, says having a voice matters:

“The most valuable part of serving on the Legislative Affairs Committee has been knowing that our industry has a voice on Capitol Hill and that our concerns are being represented. I’ve also enjoyed building relationships with other printing professionals who are passionate advocates for our industry. I’d encourage any Alliance member to get involved because it’s a meaningful way to make an impact and connect with peers who care about the future of printing.”

Sustainability Advisory Board

The Sustainability Advisory Board focuses on sustainability and regulatory issues impacting print businesses at the federal, state, and global levels.

The board developed a sustainability glossary, which launched at PRINTING United Expo 2025, helping printers better navigate evolving sustainability terminology and initiatives. The group is actively developing additional guides focused on ways to become more sustainable, monetizing sustainability initiatives, and preparing sustainability reports for customers and stakeholders.

Why Serving Makes Sense

Beyond helping shape the future of the printing industry, committee members also get the chance to network and build valuable peer connections with industry leaders. This allows volunteers to gain a fuller understanding of the challenges, strategies, and solutions shaping print businesses today.

Applications to serve on these Alliance committees, councils, and advisory boards are open through June 30:

• Health and Safety Advisory Board

• Ink and Chemical Manufacturers Advisory Board

• Legislative Affairs Committee

• Sustainability Advisory Board

Eligible applicants must work for a PRINTING United Alliance member company, be a member in good standing, and/or possess a job title, experience, and work history that supports the committee or council mission.

To learn more and apply, visit printing.org/about/volunteer-leadership.