A Leader Steps Aside

THOSE JUST returning from the IPMA conference, still aglow from the excitement and camaraderie of the three-day event, may be shocked to hear this piece of news: IPMA President Mike Loyd, whose enthusiasm invigorated every aspect of the conference, has announced his decision to take early retirement from Louisiana State University, where he has worked as director of Graphic Services for the past 12 years.

The news has had reverberations around the entire printing industry, where Mike has been a well-known figure for many years. Not only is he president of IPMA, the largest in-plant association in the world, he’s a past host and president of the Association of College and University Printers (ACUP), and a member of the National Government Publishing Association (NGPA) and the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL). Until Hurricane Katrina devastated his region (with major impact on his in-plant), he was the person I saw most often at the many industry events I attend each year.

Mike is well respected by the vendor community; over the years, he has been invited to participate in focus groups, and his advice is often sought out by these companies. His is one of the names they mention most often as an example of one who truly understands how to run a large printing operation.

In short, Mike Loyd’s absence will be felt far beyond the confines of LSU. Not only is he a model for in-plant managers, he’s one of the most approachable and likable figures this industry has ever seen. He knows the names of almost as many in-plant managers as I do.

Always willing to help other in-plant managers, he has offered his consulting services to in-plants in need, and graciously shared his copier program RFP to help other managers establish their own programs. His advice has likely kept more than one in-plant in business. A listserv for university in-plants was abuzz with messages of shock and praise minutes after Mike posted his retirement decision.

Mike is a member of the IPG Editorial Advisory Board and was also our 1999 Manager of the Year. (Since that was the last year we picked a Manager of the Year, he likes to joke that he has the title in perpetuity; I seldom argue.) I should also add that Mike is a friend of mine. He has helped and advised me many times over the years, contributing to the quality of the magazine in the process.

Sure, managers retire all the time; several big names bid us adieu just this year. But few have accepted the industry leadership role that Mike so ably took on. His absence will create an opportunity for new leaders to step forward. I’ve met many who have the knowledge, personality and drive to become leaders and further strengthen and unite the in-plant industry. It’s time to step up to the plate.

Despite his coming retirement from in-plant life, we haven’t likely seen the last of Mike Loyd. For those who don’t want to take a chance, he still plans to host the Southeastern University Printers and Digital Managers Conference in Baton Rouge, September 30-October 4. No doubt it will be a conference to remember.