Graphic Excellence Awards
On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Indianapolis, John Kingery was honored with the Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA) Living Legend Award, one of the highest recognitions bestowed upon individuals in the printing and graphic communications industry.
The Great Lakes Graphics Association represents the graphic communications industry throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin through education, advocacy, promotion, and public affairs. Founded in 1886, GLGA is celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2026 and remains the oldest trade association serving the graphic communications industry in North America. The three-state region represented by GLGA accounts for nearly $19 billion in annual shipments and approximately 13 percent of the total graphics manufacturing market in the United States.
The Living Legend Award recognizes industry leaders whose careers have significantly influenced and advanced the printing industry. Nominations are evaluated by an independent panel of industry leaders from outside the GLGA region.
Joining John for the presentation were his wife, Jean Kingery; his children, Mike Kingery, President of Kingery Printing Company; Steve Kingery, Chief Financial Officer; and Angie Helmuth, Secretary to the Board, accompanied by her husband, Leroy Helmuth, Shipping and Receiving Manager at Kingery Printing’s Mattoon facility.
Several long-tenured members of the Kingery Printing management team also attended, including Steve Shedelbower, Sales Manager (42 years); Jared Chesnut, Business Manager (15 years); Paul Mersman, Customer Service Supervisor (43 years); Paula Westendorf, Planning and Imposition Supervisor (42 years) and recipient of the GLGA 2023 Women in Print Excellence Award; and Steve Gillespie, Head Pressman, who retired in 2025 after 47 years of service to the company.
In accepting the award, John emphasized that any success attributed to him was shared by the many employees, past and present, who helped build Kingery Printing. He credited their dedication, commitment, and willingness to embrace change as the foundation for the company’s growth and longevity.
Additional Recognition for Kingery Printing
Following the Living Legend presentation, Kingery Printing Company received five additional awards for printing excellence. The competition evaluated printed pieces submitted by printing companies throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Entries were judged on production complexity, creativity, craftsmanship, print quality, and bindery execution. These awards reflect the pride, attention to detail, and commitment to quality that define the work of Kingery Printing.
Throughout his career, John believed that organizations achieve their greatest potential when leaders empower others to lead. Many printing companies of his era remained small, owner-dependent operations because decision-making authority never extended beyond the founder. John intentionally chose a different path. He delegated responsibility, encouraged independent thinking, and viewed mistakes as learning opportunities rather than occasions for blame. When employees made decisions that did not produce the desired outcome, John’s response was often simple: “Explain your thought process.” This philosophy helped create a culture of accountability, trust, and professional growth. Departments were organized, leadership positions were established, and employees were encouraged to develop both personally and professionally. The values John championed—Integrity, Pride, Trust, Teamwork, Competence, Desire to Improve, and Reward—eventually became the foundation of Kingery Printing’s Mission Statement and continue to guide the company today.
John was also known as a forward-thinking innovator who consistently embraced emerging technologies. In the mid-1980s, he purchased one of the first Apple Macintosh computers in the region for Kingery Printing’s composition department. While the technology appears primitive by today’s standards, John immediately recognized the transformative impact computers would have on the printing industry. His leadership and innovative mindset gained national recognition when he appeared twice on the cover of Printing Impressions magazine.
His first cover appearance came in August 1991, highlighting his philosophy of surrounding himself with highly skilled employees while continuously investing in advanced equipment and technology. He appeared again on the cover in June 2004, where he emphasized the importance of company culture and the relationships built with employees, customers, suppliers, and industry partners. These national recognitions reinforced John’s reputation as a leader who understood that long-term success requires the combination of people, technology, and relationships.
Community Service
John’s commitment to leadership extended well beyond Kingery Printing. He has been an active member of numerous professional and civic organizations, including the Printing Industry of Illinois/Indiana, which later became part of GLGA, the National Association of Printers and Lithographers (NAPL), Rotary, the Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Board, and the local Chamber of Commerce. He also advocated for the printing industry at the state level, meeting with legislators at the Illinois State Capitol to support efforts that preserved the Graphic Arts Sales Tax Exemption when it faced expiration. Even in retirement, John remains actively interested in both the printing industry and the communities that supported his success.
One of John’s most enduring accomplishments is the culture he created. Kingery Printing was never built solely on competitive pricing. It was built on relationships. Many customer relationships, supplier partnerships, banking relationships, and employee careers now span multiple decades. One example is Kurt Jansen, who joined the company in January 1972 and retired in 2019 after 47 years of service, ultimately overseeing operations at both facilities. Although technologies, equipment, and generations have changed over the years, the company’s commitment to trust, integrity, and quality remains remarkably consistent. John often stated during the 1970s and 1980s that Kingery Printing was “out to change the perception of our industry.” At a time when many people envisioned printing plants as dark, cluttered facilities, he insisted that Kingery Printing would be clean, organized, well-lit, and professionally maintained. That philosophy became part of the company’s identity and remains evident today. The employees, customers, suppliers, and family members who helped build Kingery Printing deserve tremendous credit for the company’s success. Yet it is impossible to separate that success from John Kingery’s leadership, vision, innovation, and unwavering commitment to people.
The GLGA Living Legend Award recognizes individuals who have left a lasting mark on the printing industry. Through nearly six decades of leadership, innovation, mentorship, and service, John Kingery has unquestionably earned that distinction.
