New Director Chosen for University of North Texas In-plant
For months, the news that Jimmy Friend, director of Printing & Distribution Solutions at the University of North Texas, was planning to retire has fueled speculation about who his replacement would be. IPG has learned that Richard Griffin, director of Central Piedmont Community College Campus Printing & Signs, will step into the role on December 21.
"UNT’s in-plant is a big step up from the one I currently manage, both in revenues and employees, and of course, no one can really replace Jimmy Friend," says Griffin. "To me it feels like trying to run Apple after Steve Jobs or the Green Bay Packers after Vince Lombardi."
Griffin, who worked his way up from a press operator, is the former president of the Association of College and University Printers. He has written several management articles for IPG.
UNT's in-plant, a three-time Best of Show winner in the In-Print contest, is often cited as a model for in-plants everywhere, with a five-color offset press, two HP Indigo digital presses and a host of other equipment.
"I am thrilled and honored that UNT wants me to run their in-plant," says Griffin.
UNT is honoring Friend and Associate Director Judy Willis with a retirement dinner on December 4.