Gary Williford is preparing his in-plant at the University of Tennessee for a secure future after he leaves.

By Bob Neubauer

An Inspiration
By initiating improvements like these on the eve of his departure, Williford has done more than ensure his department's future. He has inspired other in-plant managers with whom he has become acquainted over the years.
"For years, I've attended conferences and trade shows with Gary, and I have used his recommendations on many of the decisions I have made here at UWA," says Jimmy Robinson, director of the University of West Alabama's Department of Printing. "Our industry is losing one of our finest craftsmen. He is a true printer in every sense of the word."
Mike Loyd, director of Procurement Auxiliary Services at Louisiana State University, and president of the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association, has also been inspired by Williford.
"Gary has always been there to bounce ideas off of and to share his experiences with me," Loyd says. "He is a very open person who, through his many years in this business, is so knowledgeable that you cannot help but gain from him every time you see or talk to him.
When LSU was evaluating computer-to-plate equipment, Loyd sought his counsel.
"Gary was more than willing to offer advice and share not only technical, but financial information," Loyd says. "Without Gary giving us that information, our exploration and subsequent purchase of computer-to-plate would have been much more difficult and drawn out.
"Gary is one of the true leaders in the college and university printing business and will be sorely missed for his friendship, mentoring and overall good spirit," he continues. "Gary inspires me to continue to improve my operation, while not forgetting to give back to my fellow managers and directors."
As for his legacy at the University of Tennessee, Gary Williford feels confident he is leaving behind an operation fully capable of continuing without him.
"What I've tried to do is set it with the automation as much as you can to maximize the labor," he says. "If we can do that, then we've made a major impact for this organization to stay viable for a long time."

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Bob Neubauer Author's page

Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.

Leaving A Digital Legacy at the University of Tennessee