Joe Marin, one of the industry’s leading voices on digital and offset technologies, has returned to the Printing Industries of America (PIA) as its Vice President of Education and Training. He previously served the association in a myriad of roles from 1995 to 2013. Marin brings to the job an unparalleled skill set that includes training program development, business management and hands-on production expertise. “He’s dynamic, energetic, and has the technical acumen needed to help PIA members succeed in our ever-evolving industry,” said the organization.
Marin began his career in print 25 years ago after graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Communications from California University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the PIA in 1995, he worked as a prepress technician for Herrmann Printing and Litho. At the PIA, he managed, created, and delivered custom training programs for major industry manufacturers and suppliers covering topics such as best business practices, software technology, digital printing and print production workflow. He developed curricula for graphic arts instructors across the country and managed all of the organization’s public workshops, webinars, training programs and graphic arts educator conferences. He’s also one of the association’s most well regarded presenters and speakers on colour management, PDF workflow, preparing print-ready files, web-to-print, process control, and other business-related issues. The author of three books (Process Control Primer, Digital Prepress Primer, and the PDF Print Production Guide), Marin has also written more than 60 industry articles, whitepapers and technical reports for various leading publications.
Following a brief stint as Executive Director of the Western States Printing Alliance, Marin joined Konica Minolta Business Solutions in 2014 as a Production Solutions Consultant. He provided pre-sales consultation, assessed client business and workflow requirements, recommended solutions to streamline workflow and increase profitability, and followed up with post-sales training to optimize equipment use. While at Konica Minolta, he acquired deep knowledge of high-volume monochrome and colour printing equipment, software solutions and digital finishing solutions.
“I’ve never been more excited – and challenged – to be a part of an industry with so much rapid change,” said Marin, speaking about his return to PIA. “Consumer behaviour is driving this rapid change directly, as they demand communication via relevant messages on platforms that are most convenient to them. From digital marketing to digital finishing embellishment solutions, this cycle creates exciting growth opportunities for service providers. I’m delighted to be joining the PIA where I can continue to share my passion and knowledge and use it to drive innovative educational programs to help our member companies be the very best they can be.” Marin will be joining the Executive Management Group (EMG) of PIA, assuming all of the educational responsibilities previously held by Julie Shaffer, who left the organization June 9. The PIA added that they wished her all the best in her career and thanked her for her 17 years of dedicated service and hard work.
Marin returns to PIA as Vice President of Education and Training
