In-plant Insights

Debbie Pavletich Visit Author's Page

Debbie Pavletich is the Director of the Business Consulting Practice in the Commercial & Industrial Printing Business Group of Ricoh USA, Inc. As an in-plant print industry expert, she partners with clients to identify opportunities within their organizations to implement technologies that help minimize cost, streamline processes, increase throughput, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen and communicate business value. Her customer-centered approach and experience leading print industry teams enables her to collaboratively develop solutions that are in alignment with organizational objectives.

With more than 35 years of industry experience, Pavletich’s previous work includes managing a world-class in-plant printing department at Briggs & Stratton Corp. where she was responsible for strategic planning, finances, purchasing, capital equipment implementation, and sales and marketing initiatives. Other accomplishments include early adoption and successful deployment of leading-edge technologies, and initiating a successful sales effort to external customers.

As a subject matter specialist on in-plant operations management Pavletich has delivered presentations on a wide range of industry topics, including the value of in-plant operations, color management, work flow and the implementation of software and equipment that reduced costs, improved efficiencies, and provided additional revenue.

Pavletich has a certificate in management from Marquette University and has completed comprehensive finance coursework at the University of Chicago. She has served as Vendor Representative and International President of the IPMA (In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association), and President of the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s Board of Directors.

Sean Carroll Visit Author's Page

Sean Carroll is Senior Director of Auxiliary Services for Vanderbilt University, with responsibility for Printing Services, Mail Services, the Vanderbilt Bookstore, and CampusPrint – Vanderbilt’s copier/printer management program. He has over 25 years of leadership experience in the graphic communications industry, and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee. Sean can be reached at sean.carroll@vanderbilt.edu

Bob NeubauerVisit 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 200 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.

John SarantakosVisit Author's Page

John Sarantakos is the director of Printing and Mailing Services at the University of Oklahoma.

Mike PuckettVisit Author's Page

Mike Puckett is a results-driven leader with extensive experience in multi-unit operations, business development, and team leadership. Raised in a family-owned grocery business, he developed a strong work ethic early, shaping his commitment to operational excellence and customer service.

Mike has spent most of his life in Nashville, with additional professional experience in Memphis and New York. He earned his degree in Aerospace with a minor in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University in 1991, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. While initially pursuing a career as a pilot, he discovered his passion for leadership through retail management, which set the course for his professional journey. His career spans leadership roles with Walmart and FedEx Office, where he received numerous honors including Store of the Year and President’s Club recognition.

In 2022, Mike joined to Vanderbilt University to rebuild its Printing Services operation. Under his leadership, the team has grown significantly, expanding both in size and capabilities, with the addition of new services such as laser engraving and promotional products.

April 22, 2026Proving Your Value: Lessons From the In-plant Front Line

Despite more than 20 years of commercial printing experience, Mike Puckett felt like a deer in the headlights when he joined Vanderbilt University Printing Services. But as his confidence grew, he realized it was the best professional decision he had ever made.

April 14, 2026Ravings of a Mad Printer: Retirement

It has been slightly over 21 months since I retired. You would think that over that time period most of my work-related convictions would have changed. It took a bit to beat those feelings down and yet I still have moments that irk me.

April 6, 2026Three Weeks, Four In-plant Events

I just returned from three action-packed weeks of travel to in-plant events all over the country, from Washington, D.C., to San Diego, California, giving me a chance to hang out with dozens of in-plant managers, many of whom I’d never met before.

May 22, 2024The Empathetic Expert

The days of classically trained graphic designers have given way to a new crop of print customers, many of whom don’t know their way around the Adobe Creative Suite. As print experts, we provide much-needed translation services between the everyday language of today’s print consumers and the production team.

January 17, 2024How Busy Do You Want to Be?

A few years ago, one of our digital printing vendors paid a visit to our in-plant. The discussion was pretty routine. At some point in the conversation, however, the vendor turned to me and asked a question I had never heard before.

February 8, 2018Use Analytics to Demonstrate Your In-plant’s Value

We live in an age of data. It influences nearly every business decision that gets made. Embracing data and analytics in your in-plant is an important way to express the value you bring — in terms that data-minded decision makers can appreciate.

Comments

Older »

More Blogs