Public Printer of the United States and Cal Poly alumni Robert C. Tapella will be coming to San Luis Obispo as part of International Printing Week, a global celebration of the print industry. Tapella will speak on sustainability and “green” issues faced by printers and publishers, as well as offer career opportunities to students.
As the nation’s 25th public printer, Tapella leads more than 2,200 employees as Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), a federal agency responsible for production and distribution of information products for all three branches of the federal government. Paramount among the GPO’s many functions is allowing public access to government information and records, a mission it calls “Keeping America Informed,” which dates back to 1813.
Working with the Federal Depository Library Program, the GPO disseminates information products from the government to more than 1,250 libraries nationwide, which in turn maintains and ensures public access to the information. The end result is a record-keeping system of our government that’s always available to the public.
“The United States is one of the few democracies that believe citizens have the right to access government records and information,” Tapella said in a telephone interview.
The GPO also produces daily and weekly publications recording the actions of the government, and produces and authenticates security documents such as passports. Working with over 2,500 private printers, the GPO is the largest print buyer in the country and operates much like a business.
Tapella will first appear tonight, where he will speak on the importance of sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives currently in place at the GPO. Among his goals, Tapella hopes to soon retire the GPO’s antiquated 1.5 million square-foot building in Washington D.C. for a LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building.
“As a commissioned agent to the federal government, I have a responsibility to be a good steward of our resources,” Tapella said.
Tapella will speak at Cal Poly Friday morning with students regarding career opportunities within the GPO, where staff members will be recruiting possible candidates for the GPO’s Leadership Development and Recruitment Program, a two-year training program in leadership skills typically offered to college graduates and GPO employees.
Tapella is a 1991 graduate of Cal Poly who operated his own design business while attending classes in graphic communication and business.
“Cal Poly’s philosophy of ‘learn by doing’ is invaluable,” he said. “The school offers an integration of education and experience that is a far cry from most other universities.”
Tapella will speak at 9 p.m. tonight at the Embassy Suites Hotel and at 8 a.m. Friday in Building 26, room 104.