Business News
2009 Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award Recognizes James H. Mayes, Jr.
Friday 22. January 2010 - Printing Industries of America is pleased to announce that James H. Mayes, Jr., President of Colorcraft of Virginia, Inc. in Sterling, Virginia, is the recipient of the 2009 Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award.
Established in 1950, the Lewis Award is recognized throughout the graphic arts industry as the highest honor awarded to any individual in the business. Named for Abraham Lewis, founder of Graphic Arts Monthly, and his sons Louis and Myron, the award honors a business leader who has gone far beyond standard obligations to become a significant force in shaping the business of producing printed communications.
Mr. Mayes began his printing career in 1974 and acquired Colorcraft of Virginia in 1986. Under Mayes’ guidance, Colorcraft of Virginia has had the privilege of hosting a visit with a sitting president of the United States to discuss the difficulties faced by printers. He has also worked with a sitting governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Mayes has dedicated many years of service to the printing industry, including serving as Chairman of Printing Industries of Virginia (PIVA) from 1995 to 1996. He has also been involved with Printing Industries of America, serving as Virginia Representative in 1996 and Chairman of the Board from 2004 to 2005. For the last several years, Mr. Mayes has served as Chair of the Premier Print Awards and the Research Committees. He is also a member of the Finance Committee and Investment Committee and is a past chairman for the Virginia Printing Foundation.
Mr. Mayes states that his business philosophy is that of honesty and integrity, combined with a strong work ethic. He believes that his success should be shared with his employees and is proud that more than 75% of his current employees have been with the company for more than 10 years.
Mr. Mayes’ involvement with the community is extensive. He is a member of the Advisory Board of BB&T Bank in Loudoun County, Virginia. He is also a staunch supporter of education and training and is extensively involved with the Monroe Technical Center, Loudoun County, Virginia’s technical school. He has served as Chairman of its Advisory Board for the Graphic Arts department since 2006. Mr. Mayes is also a supporter of the Loudoun County, Virginia Head Start Program as well as the School-Business partnership with the Loudoun County School System.
Some of his personal achievements include becoming an Eagle Scout at age 14 and his induction into the Printing Industry Hall of Fame in 2008. Mayes is also very proud of his younger daughter Meredith’s management of Colorcraft’s Digital Department and her accomplishments in the industry.
Mr. Mayes holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the American University in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Scottsville Independent Baptist Church along with his wife Kathy. They are the proud parents of two daughters and grandparents of three grandchildren.
The Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually at Printing Industries of America’s Presidents Conference. This year’s Presidents Conference will be held February 28-March 4 in Scottsdale, Arizona.