Since graduating from St. Olaf with a history major, John Johnson has gained certification through the In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA).  John has been a member of the above named organization for at least 20 years and has attended approximately 13 of their annual meetings.  While planning to attend the annual meeting of the IPMA, John was told with that a speaker was needed.  John made a suggestion and subsequently was asked to be a speaker.  At the June 2014 meeting held in Milwaukee, John spoke on the topic “Staff Training Ideas for Digital Printing” by using a manual to train his employees to do each of the operations in his Palm Beach County Graphics Division. John began his presentation, given June 12 to other graphic arts managers from around the country, by describing the notebook, defining for each of his employees how each of the operations is performed in the Palm Beach County Graphics Division.  He graphically designed this manual with specific detail for every operation performed in the Graphics Division that can be done by any employee, as the printing skill level has gone from offset to increasingly digital and computerized in function.  In his relational and education skill level, John has been able to instill in each employee whom he supervises the idea that what leaves the operation reflects the county he works for and the entire graphics division.  The result is that each employee is seeking to do their very best and likewise helping each other to do the same, so that the level of the Graphics Division of Palm Beach County in Florida is a reflection of everyone.

John has been known for the design of his plant, both for its no printing plant smell, and for being so well-planned that work flows smoothly through the operation, from order, to purchase of supplies, production, assembly, and, if need be, mail distribution, which saves mailing costs by using direct mail service in bulk, reducing cost for return of undeliverable mail pieces.

John has become so well known in graphic arts that he is sought after for advice and opinions and has been on numbers of committees within the county operation as a resource person.  Further, John has become known by many in the graphics arts field for his knowledge of equipment, how it operates, and being able to repair or create irreplaceable parts because he has recreated a now unavailable part, saving the government for which he works significant dollars.  His own relational skill level has made turnover in his own division small.