An Austin native is rising to the top of his profession.

Public Printer Robert C. Tapella has appointed Paul Erickson as deputy public printer of the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO).

Erickson, an Austin High School alumnus, will oversee the agency’s printing, printing procurement, publication sales and information dissemination operations for Congress, federal agencies and the American public. He will also oversee the agency’s Security and Intelligent Documents unit, which produces the nation’s passports.

Erickson will help implement the newly created Official Journals of Government business unit. This unit will oversee the print and electronic requests for two daily newspapers, The Congressional Record and The Federal Register. Official Journals of Government will also process work for Senate and House bills, reports, hearings, documents, laws and other Congressional publications.

Austin roots

Erickson grew up in Austin. He is a 1974 graduate of Austin High School. He was a defensive back on the Austin Packers football team and set several records as a member of the AHS track team.

His family still lives in the Austin area.

“I believe working together as a team is critical to becoming a successful operation,” said Erickson. “The values I learned from my family, teachers, coaches and teammates in Minnesota will be beneficial in managing the talented employees at GPO.”

Erickson brings nearly three decades of printing industry experience to GPO. He began his printing career in a training program at RR Donnelley, the world’s largest commercial printer. After working in various positions in the company’s plant, Erickson spent the next 25 years in management posts. He spent 10 years as vice president of manufacturing at the company’s Reno, Nev. operation. He improved efficiency by 15 percent and improved production output by more than 20 percent, according to the GOP announcement.

Erickson joined a printing plant in Sheffield, England in 2006 as managing director. While at Polestar Sheffield, he increased customer service and saved the company millions of dollars by implementing recycling programs and reducing paper and ink waste, according to the announcement.

High praise

“Paul is a proven leader in the printing industry. GPO is looking forward to tapping into his successful record for reducing waste, improving customer service and increasing production output,” said Tapella. “Paul’s background and accomplishments will be an asset to GPO as the agency adapts to new technologies in providing Americans the documents of their democracy.”

Erickson received a Bachelor of Science degree in printing management from South Dakota State University’s School of Journalism.

He has been a leader in various charitable organizations such as the Northern Nevada United Way, Chamber of Commerce and Boys and Girls Club.