The Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership recently appointed Karen Gross has as the organization’s Executive Director. Gross, who had as served as SGP administrator since September 2008, brings to the position more than 20 years experience in the environmental, health and safety field—including many years in the printing industry. She has worked in operations in both Canada and the US, is a former OSHA-trained auditor, and is certified as an ISO 14001 auditor.

“Karen has been instrumental in developing the operations of the SGP Partnership since it opened,” commented Marcia Y. Kinter, vice president for government and business information with the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association and a member of the SGP Board. “She has been able to help take the organization to the next level and become an independent, credible certification body for the entire printing industry,” added Doreen M. Monteleone of the Flexographic Technical Association, also an SGP Board member.

“I look forward to working with the SGP Board of Directors to raise awareness of the SGP Partnership with all stakeholders including printers, their suppliers, print buyers, environmental groups and others,” commented Ms. Gross. “We want to encourage all printers, no matter how small or large, or what print process they use, to enter the sustainability journey.”

SGP also announced the newly elected Executive Committee of its Board of Directors. Member of the Executive Committee were inducted into office at the SGP Partnership Board of Director’s meeting on March 16, 2009.

The meeting marked the beginning of terms of Marcia Y. Kinter as board chair, Doreen M. Monteleone as treasurer, and George Fuchs of the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers as secretary. Also elected were Paul Lilienthal, Pictura Graphics, as vice chair (patrons/outreach) and Gary Jones, Printing Industries of America, as vice chair (technical advisory).

For more information about the SGP Partnership and how to begin the SGP Printer certification process, contact Karen Gross at info@sgppartnership.org or visit www.sgppartnership.org.