Tom Gallo, a 1988 graduate of Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department, was selected as the 2013 Honored Alumnus for the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

Gallo is the vice president of strategic business development for G3 Enterprises, based in Modesto, CA, USA. G3 Enterprises is part of the Gallo Winery enterprise and is one of the nation’s largest packaging companies focused on the wine and beverage industry.

G3 Enterprises uses multiple processes and provides services from design through finishing. The company caters to the needs of the wine and spirits industry, including wine sourcing, bottling, label design, bottle decorating and global transportation. The firm occupies 3 million square feet of warehouse space in California’s Central Valley and an additional 350,000 square feet in Chicago.

“In addition to generating an outstanding record of success, Tom has been a consistent supporter of Cal Poly over the years, hiring many of our graduates, participating in and supporting university events, and providing financial support,” says Douglas Epperson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “We are excited to formally recognize him as this year’s CLA honored alumnus.”

The selection of Gallo as the CLA Honored Alumnus was unanimous among the college’s 15 department chairs.

Gallo, the grandson of Gallo Winery founder Julio Gallo, began his career at the winery in 1976. Every summer during his junior high, high school and college years, he worked in various departments, including customer service, shipping and receiving, warehouse, engineering, human resources, the company’s lab and Livingston winery, and at the company’s ranch properties.

In 1993, Gallo built and developed Grand Street Printing Technologies, the predecessor to G3 Enterprises. He worked in various positions for five years, ultimately serving as general manager. During that time, Gallo converted the business from a traditional commercial printing operation to a label printing operation to capitalize on the profitable label manufacturing market in the beverage industry.

In 2001, Gallo led the transformation of Grand Street Printing Technologies into G3 Enterprises Label Division, while serving as the operations director and general manager. In 2007, Gallo was promoted to the position of vice president of sales, eventually assuming his current position as vice president of strategic business development in 2009.

“We are extremely proud to honor Tom for all of his accomplishments,” says Ken Macro, chair of Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department. “As a graduate of the program, he represents what Cal Poly is all about: hard work, knowledge, diligence and vision. He is a role model and leader to future students and the industry.”

Gallo will be honored during Cal Poly’s Homecoming weekend Nov. 15–17. While visiting Cal Poly, Gallo will also present a talk, open to the public, titled “Striving for Excellence in Wine Packaging,” from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, in the Graphic Arts Building (No. 26), Room 106.