From Hot Metal To Top Job

Starting as a linotype operator in a hot metal shop, Richard Gonzales moved steadily upward to become director of the Kansas Division of Printing.

As a kid growing up in Topeka, Kan., Richard Gonzales got some sage advice from his father.

"My dad told me to learn a trade," recalls Gonzales, director of the Division of Printing for the Kansas Department of Administration. In those days, he says, the city's Hispanic citizens had limited options, and his father naturally wanted the best for him. So Gonzales did some thinking.

"I was in high school and they had a printing class, and I took it—and I really liked it," he says. His teacher, a "Mr. Gilbert," became the young Gonzales' mentor, helping him get his first job in printing, at a small hot metal operation called Ray's Printing.

"The hot metal was an exciting time," Gonzales recalls. "It was fun."

But it was also a dying art.

"I could kind of see the writing on the wall," Gonzales says, "so I went back to school."

Graduating from Pittsburg State University with a printing management degree, Gonzales then earned his masters in vocational education. His wife Sharon, pregnant with their first child, got her nursing degree at the same time, making this a busy period for both of them.

In 1974, Gonzales was hired as an administrative assistant in the Division of Printing. He advanced steadily through the ranks, and in 1988 he was appointed State Printer by the governor. Ironically, his old high school teacher had tried unsuccessfully for the position a few years before, when it had been an elected office.

Since 1988, Gonzales has served three governors from both parties. His main task, he says, has been keeping the operation competitive. Agencies can get bids from the private sector, and if the Division of Printing can't beat those prices, it loses that work.

So far Gonzales has managed to cut a lot of waste. He has turned the division into a 24-hour operation, and trimmed the staff from 119 to 85 employees—while doubling production. He has also combined the central duplicating operation with the main printing facility, bringing them both under one roof.

Consolidation Never Ends

One ongoing task he has is trying to consolidate the many small print shops that have sprung up over the years within various state departments. Gonzales says that back when his position was an elected one and the printing operation was not as competitive, it only did session work during the state's 90-day legislative session. This left other divisions out of luck. As a result, many of them started up their own in-plants.

So far, Gonzales has managed to shut down several of these print shops, but others are holding out. He feels that he can install Xerox DigiPath software in these locations, allowing the divisions to send jobs digitally to the main printing operation. Already a number of departments are sending work over the network to his facility.

Today, the Division of Printing is a $7 million operation, utilizing a 69,000-square-foot facility, as well as two satellite operations. Ranked number 24 on IPG's Top 50 in-plants list, it boasts networked Xerox 6180s, a 6135 and a DocuColor 40. The offset operation includes a 35˝ Goss Community web press, a two-color, 40˝ MAN-Miehle perfector, two one-color, 36˝ MAN-Miehles, a one-color, 25˝ Heidelberg and numerous offset duplicators. There's also a full bindery.

The in-plant produces a lot of hard-bound books, as well as forms, four-color brochures, maps and income tax packets. A number of jobs are also outsourced when the volume becomes overwhelming.

Located two miles from the Capitol, the Division of Printing sits in an idyllic location where wild turkey, fox and deer can be regularly seen out the windows. Being remote from the action has not hindered the division, though, as information is transmitted electronically during legislative sessions. The in-plant then converts it, shoots it and goes to press. The division also hosts this information in an electronic database.

Gonzales praises his hard-working staff, some of whom have been with the division for more than 40 years.

"I'm fortunate because I do have a group of people that are highly motivated," he says.

Outside of the office, Gonzales has been active since 1988 with the National State Publishing Association, where he is currently serving as president. The group meets this month in Bismarck, N.D.

Bob Neubauer can be reached at: bneubauer@napco.com.