Printing Industries Alliance has announced that Thomas J. Quinlan, III, Chairman, President & CEO of LSC Communications has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Franklin Award for Distinguished Service — the highest honor given an individual by the graphic communications community. The Franklin Award has been presented for over 60 years to renowned political, business, journalism, and communications leaders, for their outstanding achievements and contributions to American society.

The award, named for Benjamin Franklin, a printer by trade, will be presented to Mr. Quinlan at the 68th Annual Franklin Event on Thursday, June 4, 2020 (6:00 p.m.) at Club 101, 101 Park Avenue in New York City.

Thomas Quinlan is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of LSC Communications, a global leader in traditional and digital print, print-related services and office products, serving the needs of publishers, merchandisers, and direct marketers. With over 20,000 employees, annual revenues of over $3.5 billion, and operations in the US, Mexico and Canada, Mr. Quinlan’s leadership of this graphic communications powerhouse continues to make a significant impact on the United States economy and American society.

Mr. Quinlan has had a long and auspicious career in our industry. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, the largest provider of printing and communication business services in the world, from March 2007 to September 2016.  Previous to that he held various senior level positions with Moore Wallace and World Color Press as well as finance positions with Marsh & McLennan and Kidder Peabody.

Mr. Quinlan holds an MBA in finance from St. John’s University, which recognized him with its Outstanding Alumni Achievement Medal in 2010, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Pace University, which conferred upon him an honorary doctorate in Commercial Science and presented him with its 46th Leaders in Management Award in 2009. The Advisory Board of New York University’s Graphic Communications Management and Technology Program chose Mr. Quinlan to receive its 2011 Prism Award, which recognizes distinguished leadership in the graphic communications media industry.

In addition to industry responsibilities, Mr Quinlan is extremely active in the community, supporting organizations that focus on literacy, health, and development. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Pace University, YMCA of Greater New York, Curry College, and The American Ireland Fund. In 2011 Mr. Quinlan received AJC’s National Human Relations Award, which honors professional and philanthropic leadership. He is also a member of United States Army War College (USAWC) Board of Visitors.

“We are excited to salute Mr. Quinlan with this prestigious honor and acknowledge his achievements in front of hundreds of the most prominent CEO’s and senior executives from the printing, publishing, digital, advertising and graphic communications community,” says Tim Freeman, President, Printing Industries Alliance. “He is a true “Champion of Print”, his achievements and leadership are worthy of recognition by the industry.”

Marty Maloney, Executive Vice President, Printing Industries Alliance said, “This annual event is the highlight of the year for many in the industry and the only event at which the who’s who of the industry will be concentrated in one venue. The Franklin Event is the most prestigious awards program in what is arguably the most important visual communications market in the world.”

In past years, the Franklin Award for Distinguished Service has been presented to nationally known luminaries that include several United States Presidents, New York State Governors George Pataki and Mario Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as well as notables such as Benny Landa, Martha Stewart, Norman Rockwell, and Walter Cronkite.

To become a sponsor or register, visit https://pialliance.org/2020_franklin_event/ or contact Kim Tuzzo, Printing Industries Alliance, (716) 691-3211 or [email protected].