The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Thomson-Shore names new president
By Terry Jacoby, Heritage Newspapers
PUBLISHED: October 9, 2008
There are a lot of factors one can measure when considering a new job. Salary, benefits, hours, responsibilities can all be weighed against what you currently have.
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For Kevin Spall, one defining factor in accepting the offer to become Thomson-Shore's new president could be measured right down to the minute. His watch was telling him that time was going to play a big role in this big decision.
"I left this morning at 6:50 a.m. and took the train to Manhattan and got to my desk at 9 a.m.," Spall said the week before taking over his new position. "That was my normal life living in Connecticut and working in New York City."
Unless he decides to live in the Upper Peninsula, his commute time is going to be greatly reduced. So the measuring stick will compare a two-hour commute one-way to say about 15-20 minutes. At the very least, Spall is looking at around three extra hours a day to work and live.
"To go from that commute to living so close to work in the Ann Arbor area is just a better quality of life and lifestyle and a very attractive proposition," Spall said.
So what will Spall do with all this extra time on his hands?
"I am not someone who is going to come in with a pre-defined agenda," he said. "The company is doing very well with strong, top-line growth, a great reputation in the industry and fantastic manufacturing processes.
"(CEO Myron Marsh) and the employees have done a wonderful job positioning the company well to be healthy and strong. My intent initially is to come in and meet everyone, spend time with all the employees and absorb the organization and understand where the strategies have brought them. There is a lot of new equipment coming in and we need to see how it fits in and how do we put strong plans in place to best take advantage of this equipment. A lot of my time will be to roll up my sleeves and understand how the business runs day to day.
"I have been in the book business for many years and a majority of that time in the major publishing metros, like New York and Chicago. I have a strong network there and I am excited to talk to customers about Thomson-Shore."
Spall's experience in the publishing business began right after college. The 40-year-old Rochester, N.Y., native graduated from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania with a degree in graphic arts and graphic communications. Like most college graduates, Spall was eager to earn a paycheck in his field of interest.
"I was looking to get into the design business and my grandfather was selling printing for a commercial printer in Rochester," he said. "He set me up to meet a company and they hired me for an entry-level position in the pre-press area. It was an opportunity to get into the business and that's what I was looking for."
Spall spent six months in that role before being promoted.
"They had just purchased a computer system, which was new for the industry at that time," he said. "I had just enough computer experience from college that I was the one to get it to work. I have been in the industry ever since."
Spall comes to Thomson-Shore after serving as executive director of business development for RR Donnelley, one of the biggest printing companies in the world. The Fortune 500 company was founded in 1864 and its corporate headquarters is in Chicago.
"They are not a direct competitor of Thomson-Shore, but do have a very large book printing business," he said. "It's a very big, mass producing printer of books while Thomson-Shore is more of a specialized, quality-focused business."
Spall first became interested in the position because of Thomson-Shore's proven track record and the company's well-known commitment to its customers.
"I heard about the position through a recruiter," said Spall, who along with his wife Rachel, has four children (Martha, 12; Caleb, 9; Noah, 2; Beatrice, 1). "I just got the basic overview of the job and thought it was a good fit and a nice position for me in regards to what I had done in my career. I was excited when I heard about it."
But while Spall has lived in several different parts of the country, he admits to knowing very little about Michigan.
"Rachel and I had talked about relocating again at some point, although with four little kids it wasn't at the top of our list of things to do," he said. "The job sounded like an interesting, exciting and creative opportunity, but we didn't have any idea of what to expect from Michigan. It wasn't going to be a reason not to pursue it though."
And Thomson-Shore was certainly going to pursue Spall, who brings with him plenty of experience.
"Kevin comes to us from RR Donnelly Corp., where his last position was executive director, global services for financial and corporate markets," said CEO Marsh. "Other positions he held at Donnelly included director of business development, trade books and director of technology. He has also been vice president of sales and president of John C. Otto, a commercial printer. His background and experience will be very helpful in leading our company in achieving our goals.
"We are confident that Kevin has the energy, qualifications and necessary qualities to lead Thomson-Shore into a successful future."
While Spall knew about Thomson-Shore and could easily investigate the company's profitability, the interview process and the people he met, only increased his interest in the company.
"Myron Marsh and I had a wonderful initial talk and we were interested in pursuing the conversation," Spall said. "Myron actually came out to see me next, which I thought was interesting. It showed me how serious they were, and it also showed me that this was a company that really wanted to meet the people interested in that position. We had a wonderful dinner and a great talk about the industry, the company and what Thomson-Shore was looking for in a new president."
A few weeks later, Marsh and his wife visited Dexter.
"I saw it as a great opportunity to learn more about the company and to see the area," he said. "I also liked that they invited Rachel. It showed me that they understood that this was much more than a career move, but a family move as well. It also told me that this company wanted someone who liked the area, wanted to be here and was looking for a long-term commitment.
"This was a huge decision for both of us and the fact that they wanted Rachel involved was telling because she had a big say in this and they wanted this to be something she wanted to do as well."
Spall spent three days in Dexter, including one full day with the company, while Rachel spent the day with Myron's wife, Beth.
"I had wonderful meetings and met great people and it was an extraordinary process," he said. "Every interaction I had with the leaders of the company or employees of the company, just built on the last interaction I had. Each one was positive and engaging. Everyone was positive about the direction of the company and excited about where it was heading. I also learned that this a company the employees are very proud of no matter what their role is."
After meeting with the board of directors, Spall then met with the managers.
"The last part of the day was different than other interviews I have been involved with," he said. "They put together an employee team to be part of the process and I spent some time with them. And they were as much a part of this process as everyone else. They had thoughtful and engaging questions and this type of involvement and interaction was very impressive."
Meanwhile, Rachel was enjoying her tour of Washtenaw County and the surrounding area.
"I was interested to hear what Rachel thought of the area and when I saw her, she didn't have to say a word," Spall said. "I could tell how amazed she was with the area. She was completely taken with Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities."
It was a perfect match all the way around.
"They were looking for someone who could come in and interact well with the employees, managers and the whole organization and it's something that I feel I will bring to the company," Spall said. "I will be very approachable and open to engagement with everyone in the company and be aware of what's happening in all aspects of the company."
Spall has seen the industry grow, change and adjust over the years.
"A lot has changed over the years and a lot hasn't," he said. "A lot of technology has influenced the industry and it happened quickly in the early 1990s. It was the same process for decades and then in just a matter of years the new technology changed the entire dynamic.
"The quality has gotten better, but the output hasn't changed a lot. The business that Thomson-Shore specializes in, the output is still focused on a high quality book."
And Spall has always believed in quality.
"I have always loved the printing business and always will," Spall said. "My grandfather was in the printing business for 40 years so it's been good to my family."
That family has now found a home in Michigan and at Thomson-Shore.
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