President announces intent to Nominate

Bill Boarman as Public Printer

On April 15, 2010 President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate William J. Boarman to be the next (26th) Public Printer of the United States.

The Public Printer serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Government Printing Office (GPO).  GPO’s provides printing, publishing, and digital media services to federal government agencies through 2,300 employees and thousands of private sector printing companies.

Boarman is President of the Printing, Publishing & Media Workers Sector of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and the Senior Vice President of CWA. He has 40-year history in the printing industry, and related labor management and labor relations.  Boarman started as an apprentice at McArdle Printing in Washington, D.C., became a Journeyman Printer in 1971, and in 1974 served as Printer to GPO.

Boarman began his labor relations career in 1977, filling various elected posts with the International Typographical Union (which merged with CWA in 1987). He is chairman of the CWA/ITU Negotiated Pension Plan, a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan with assets of $1 billion; President of the International Allied Printing Trades Association; and President of the Union Printers Home, a 122-bed skilled nursing facility in Colorado Springs, CO.

Over three decades, Bill has been very active in GPO labor, plant, and production issues.  He has regularly testified before Congressional Committees on issues relating to GPO.

With his printing and labor union backgrounds, GPO staff generally sees Boarman as someone who can effectively manage and motivate GPO’s diverse workforce.

The current Public Printer, Bob Tapella, said:  "I am very pleased by the President's selection of Bill Boarman to be the 26th Public Printer of the United States. Bill is no stranger to the GPO, as his career took him other places he remained a strong champion and friend of the GPO, and I hold him in the highest personal regard. I look forward to working with him on a smooth transition."

Senate confirmation is required to complete the appointment is expected.  Pundits expect a quick confirmation.

-Fred Antoun