Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 21, 2016-- Raymond Lawton, Chairman of Lawton Printing Services, has been named the 2016 Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award recipient by the Printing Industries of America. Established in 1950, the Lewis Award pays homage to business leaders who have made major, long-term contributions to the graphic arts industry and have been a significant force in shaping the business of printed communications. The award was presented on November 18, 2016 at the Fall Administrative Meeting of Printing Industries of America in Kansas City, MO.
Laura Lawton, current President of Lawton Printing Services, and her brother Aaron Lawton, General Manager of File-Ez Folder, submitted the nomination of their father. It reads, "The commitment to giving back to the community and industry is our family heritage. Seeing how our family has positively impacted others, especially our father, has given us the desire to be involved too." In the nomination, they also wrote, "Given the decades of service our father has given to both the industry and the greater community, he makes the ideal candidate for the Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award."
"Raymond's dedication and commitment to the advancement of the graphic arts industry over the past 46 years has been steadfast," said Michael Makin, President and CEO, Printing Industries of America. "He is most deserving of this honor and joins a dignified group of past recipients recognized for their enduring contributions to the industry."
About Raymond Lawton
Raymond joined his family business in 1970 after earning his bachelor's degree in Print Management from South Dakota State University and serving in the US Army.
For many years, he led Lawton Printing as President and CEO before assuming the role of Chairman of the Board in 2001. Currently, Raymond is Vice President of File-EZ Folder Inc. and co-owner of Rumpeltes and Lawton, LLC, a consulting and transition planning organization.
Raymond is an active participant in his regional printing industry leadership, playing an integral part in the merging of two regional associations into what is now the Pacific Printing Industries Association (PPI). Nationally, Raymond diligently served for many years on the board of Printing Industries of America and was appointed Chairman of the Board for the 1994 term. He also chaired the government affairs committee for five years, during which time he testified before Congress regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Raymond was also actively involved with Graphic Arts Show Company and the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation, which he also chaired from 1998 to 2000.
Raymond's passion for print industry education and education in general can be observed throughout his career. While chairman of PPI, he spearheaded the effort to create a $250,000 graphic communications scholarship fund for students in the Pacific Northwest. In 1999, he also served as chairman of the Spokane Guilds Foundation encouraging younger generations to enter the print industry. Currently, Raymond is the Secretary of the Washington Student Achievement Council, a cabinet-level state agency providing strategic planning, oversight, and advocacy supporting increased student success and attainment of higher levels of education in the state of Washington.
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