TLMI rewards industry leaders

TLMI Converter of the Year - Craig Moreland, CEO of Coast Label

Presented in conjunction with Packaging Impressions magazine on an annual basis, the Converter of the Year Award honors and recognizes a member of the North American package printing industry who has made an extensive contribution to the greater marketplace and has additionally demonstrated an unwavering commitment to TLMI.

Thirty years ago, Moreland purchased Fountain Valley-based Coast Label Company by piecing together funds and borrowing a small portion of the sale price from his father while convincing the company’s owner to carry the note for the remaining majority share. 

Over the past three decades, Moreland has taken Coast Label from its early days as a flatbed letterpress company to the state-of-the-art flexo and digital house today. The company serves a wide range of end-use segments and engineered applications.

In 2004, Craig attended his first TLMI meeting and, since that time, has been one of the association’s most influential committee chairpersons in addition to serving on the TLMI Board of Directors, including two years spent as the chairman of the board. 

‘Craig Moreland’s contributions to TLMI are many,’ commented Linnea Keen, president of TLMI. ‘During his tenure as TLMI Membership Committee chair, Craig led his committee to reaching unprecedented levels of new converter and supplier members. During his time as vice chairman and chairman of the board, he was influential in presiding over the retirement of the association’s president of almost two decades. He played a critical role in keeping TLMI on track during what could have been an extremely tumultuous transition. Craig is a true leader in every sense of the word, and it has been an honor working with him. I want to personally thank him for his many years of service and all that he has done for the association and to congratulate him on receiving this tremendous honor.’

Supplier of the Year - Steve Schulte, vice president of sales and marketing for Mark Andy

Presented on an annual basis in conjunction with Labelexpo Americas, the Supplier of the Year Award honors and recognizes individuals for their ongoing volunteer service and dedication to TLMI and the greater industry. Criteria for winning the award include service to TLMI on the association’s board and committees, in addition to a continuous commitment to the industry by helping to promote and foster its growth.

Schulte has spent more than two and a half decades in the greater printing industries. He has served on the TLMI Board of Directors and the association’s Marketing Committee and has also been a longstanding judging committee member for the TLMI Print Awards.

‘Steve Schulte exemplifies a highly engaged, personable, and hardworking TLMI supplier member,’ said Keen. ‘He is a trusted friend, colleague and mentor within the association and having served on the TLMI Board of Directors alongside Steve, I can attest to how dedicated he is to TLMI and to lending a helping hand to any member in need. Steve has extensive knowledge surrounding print technologies and his experience in the industry has been a great asset to TLMI on both a technical and personal level. I want to congratulate Steve on this well-deserved honor personally.’

TLMI Volunteer of the Year - Brian Hurst, VP of Manufacturing at Yerecic Label

Hurst has spent nearly three decades at Yerecic Label and has been the company’s vice president of manufacturing for more than 15 years. He has also served his country, having spent more than 16 years as a Staff Sargent in the Army National Guard and four years as a Corporal in the US Marine Corps.

‘To say that Brian Hurst has long been a dedicated member of TLMI is a massive understatement. Over the years, Brian has been a hardworking association committee member, a technical resource, a cherished colleague, and a friend to all who have had the opportunity to work with him. He never misses a TLMI event, and we have all come to rely on Brian for his expertise and unfailing camaraderie. I want to congratulate Brian for this achievement personally and to thank him for being one of our most devoted members,’ concluded Keen.