Gordon Ryan director of design, printing and fulfillment services for the New York State Bar Association brings several lifetimes’ worth of experience to a brand new in-plant facility.

By Mike Llewellyn

But it was a rare opportunity and one that Ryan was ready to take. For the next 10 years, Ryan's shop handled the quick-turn, high-volume work supplied by law firms, government agencies and private business throughout the state capital.

"I'd always been drawn to this, to running my own business, to making your own decisions about it," says Ryan. But with less than a majority stake in the operation, his ability to guide the direction of the company was under considerable strain. In 2006, he tied up loose ends with employees, vendors and customers and sold his stake in the business.