Frustrating Senators, Washington Department of Printing Wins Management Award

Yesterday was a day of extremes for employees of the Washington State Department of Printing. Even as the state senate was holding a hearing to discuss, in part, closing their operation, the in-plant's staff learned they had won a major national award for outstanding service and efficiency.

The In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association announced yesterday that the Department of Printing (PRT) had been selected to receive the 2011 IPMA Management Award, which recognizes an outstanding in-house publishing department for its team effort in support services to the organization.

"I am extremely proud of our team approach of delivering greater value to Washington State government, while successfully navigating the worst recession in 80 years," notes Jean-Luc Devis, director of the self-supporting 97-person team.

The award is especially good news for the in-plant as it faces down stubborn forces in the state Senate who are trying to make the case that the state could save money by outsourcing its printing. The award makes the senators' claims that the in-plant is inefficient seem hollow at best.

This wasn't the only award announced yesterday by IPMA. With a little more than seven weeks to go until its educational conference kicks off in Charleston, S.C., the association also noted that Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, in Rochester, N.Y., has won its Mail Center of the Year award, which recognizes an entire corporate mail center for outstanding improvements. Overseen by Catherine Ciardi, director of Document Services, the in-plant was featured on the cover of IPG's January issue.

For the second year in a row, The University of Texas at Austin won the In-House Promotional Excellence Award, which recognizes excellence in promotional campaigns developed by and used to promote an in-house publishing facility. Richard Beto, director of Document Solutions, oversees this facility.

IPMA's Outstanding Contributor this year is Mark Raschka, of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in-plant, in Appleton, Wis. He is an active member of Northeast Wisconsin Chapter.