Message from GEF President

Message From the President

Mike Green
GEF President
Vice President, Sales
Flint Group

GEF – A Personal Story

The Gravure Education Foundation (GEF) has had a profound impact on my life. When I was a graduate student in Printing Technology at RIT, the Foundation selected me to be their very first GEF fellow.

A quarter century ago, the GEF offered me a scholarship and introduced me to many industry leaders who helped launch my career. The GEF’s foresight and dedication to supporting students directly influenced my ability to pursue my educational and professional goals.

It should not come as a surprise to hear that I am passionate about the need to support future Gravure professionals and the institutions that provide their education.

Today, there are many ways the GEF helps students, universities and colleges, and the industry:

• Communicating the benefits of Gravure to text book markets around the globe.
• Appointing board members to liaise with each Gravure Resource Center, which includes: 1) actively participating in the local Center’s “Gravure Day” 2) maintaining ongoing, open communication with the Center; 3) assisting the Executive Director to determine methods to track scholarship winners from the Center; and 4) exploring opportunities for cooperative programs with the Center.
• Working on its first donation of a Gravure Press Simulator (GPS), made possible through the generosity of the Alcoa and Quad Graphics foundations.

Today’s economic climate has made funding more difficult — and more important than ever. The GEF is currently restructuring our financial goals, investments and allocations to remain strong in these tough times.

To help us support the next generation of Gravure professionals, and to keep Gravure relevant and thriving, the GEF needs your help. I ask you to pledge to do what you can. Consider:

• Contacting the GEF office and offer your support.
• Contacting any of the board members to express your interest in participating in any of the activities.
• Donating old equipment, resources, books, time, and expertise. Remember, the GEF is a nonprofit organization (501c). All donations are tax deductible for you and your company.
• Searching  into your address book for industry, government or other non-profit organizations that may be willing to donate funds.

I will never forget the opportunities I was exposed to as a result of the GEF, its members and its mission. Please join me in returning this favor for the next generation.

Mike Green