Diane Romano, recently retired graphic communications industry executive, has been named by the Print & Graphic Communications Association (PGCA) as the recipient of the John Peter Zenger Medal. Ms. Romano is being recognized for her lifelong commitment to a variety of community and charitable causes while leading one of the largest and most successful business organizations within the industry.

The award will be presented at PGCA’s 69^th Annual Franklin Event celebration on March 30, 2023, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers (6:00 – 10:00 pm). Visit printcommunications.org/2023-franklin-event/ for information on sponsorship and tickets. The prestigious Zenger Community Service Medal is named after John Peter Zenger, arguably the second most influential printer in American history. Zenger was a New York City based printer whose arrest, imprisonment, trial and acquittal laid the foundation for freedom of the press in colonial America.

The Zenger Medal, by an open industry nomination process, is awarded to an individual employed in the graphic communications industry within New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware who has exemplified, outside of their professional role, exemplary character in the form of selfless courage, charity, activism or service.

Ms. Romano was selected for this award for her extensive and ongoing involvement in a variety of charitable and business-related volunteer organizations. Her volunteer CV is too extensive to fully catalog, but the main highlights include:

• Currently served as a Director and President of the Graphic Communications Scholarship Foundation, a metro New York educational foundation that has provided more than $1.2 million in scholarships to metro New York graphic communications students.
• Served as a mentor for numerous graphic communication students through its GC mentoring program.
• Hosted many breast cancer fundraisers in her home.
• Co-Chaired Graphic Arts Industry Appeal for the Ronald McDonald House.
• Served 25 years as member of the NYU Center for Graphic Arts Management and Technology including Board Chair.
• 32-year member and current Chair of the Board of Fire Commissioners in Cherry Grove, a community on Fire Island.
• President of the Cherry Grove Community Association for 12 years, completing her term in 2021.

As perhaps the first woman at the executive level in the metro New York printing industry, Ms. Romano was a pioneer leading the way for future female business leaders. For that reason, she has taken special interest in providing mentoring, internships, and education to attract strong minds to our industry.  She has been, and remains, a strong advocate for all individuals within our industry to recognize the importance of balancing professional and family life and how to take on challenges and deal with them with integrity and a results-oriented attitude.

“The Zenger Medal honors an industry professional or organization demonstrating exceptional charity service,” says PGCA Co-President, Tim Freeman, “and exceptional is the prefect word to describe the years of generous support and service to the numerous community organizations, art institutions and charitable efforts by Diane Romano. It is a pleasure and an honor to present her with the Zenger Medal.”

The award will be presented to Ms. Romano at the Print & Graphic Communications Association’s Franklin Event taking place on March 30, 2023. The event starts at 6:00 pm and is being held at The Lighthouse in the Chelsea Piers complex in Manhattan.  The 2023 Franklin Event will feature additional industry awards, plenty of networking opportunities with industry leaders and, of course, presentation of the Franklin Award for Community Service to Mariano Rivera.

Other industry awards include honoring Paul Reilly, a founding partner of New Direction Partners with the PGCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and awarding the Print Industry Champion Award to Premium Color Group, Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, EFI and Fiery for their workforce development initiatives.

Sponsorships and tickets for the 2023 Franklin Event are still available.  Visit printcommunications.org/2023-franklin-event.  Questions? Contact PGCA at (716) 691-3211 or kim@printcommunications.org.