Graphic Media Alliance

05/28/2025

2025 Michigan Executive Leadership Summit Recap

The first annual Michigan Executive Leadership Summit, co-hosted by Graphic Media Alliance and Pitney Bowes, took place on May 22 in Romulus, MI and brought together print and mail industry professionals for a half-day of dynamic discussion, expert insights, and forward-focused leadership training. Despite a few early technical challenges (which we now lovingly refer to as our "audio-visual icebreaker"), the energy in the room quickly picked up and set the tone for a meaningful and memorable event. 

Following welcome remarks from Andrew Schall, President of Graphic Media Alliance, and Jake Busacker, General Manager at Pitney Bowes Presort Services DET, attendees dove into a well-curated agenda designed around actionable leadership topics. Sessions spanned from cyber risk and marketing strategies to regulatory updates and workforce development tools. Breakfast and lunch were provided courtesy of our host Pitney Bowes, and sponsors, with special thanks to Woodland Paper and Carta Finishing, and the day wrapped with a guided facility tour of the Pitney Bowes mail processing center.

David Mauro of NetGain Technologies kicked off the morning with back-to-back sessions on protecting small businesses from cyber threats and leading with data. He underscored the rising threat of AI-driven attacks, including deepfakes and voice cloning, while offering practical tools like password management systems and cybersecurity training. In his second session, David introduced the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and outlined ways leaders can use metrics, scorecards, and weekly check-ins to drive stronger, more transparent teams.

Kelly Mallozzi of SuccessInPrint delivered two highly energetic presentations focused on motivating sales teams and improving marketing effectiveness. She spoke passionately about accountability, coaching, and the power of CRM tools, and emphasized that every sales leader should understand the unique motivations of their team. Her second session addressed branding and the modern sales funnel—urging attendees to leverage social proof, website clarity, and user-generated content to better connect with today’s buyers.

Attendees also gained critical knowledge on evolving postal regulations and optimization strategies through a robust session from Eric Howard and Michael Maguire of Pitney Bowes. Their presentation, "Delivering with Confidence: Mailing Regulations and Optimization in 2025," broke down the July 13 USPS rate changes, including the elimination of NDC drop ship discounts and First-Class flats requirements. The discussion provided attendees with immediate steps to prepare their operations for the upcoming changes.

Joe Trybula from Printers 401K shared best practices around building competitive retirement programs for small businesses. His session detailed fiduciary responsibilities, the importance of regular plan reviews, and real-world case studies where companies increased participation and minimized risk through better plan design and education. Joe’s expertise added a valuable HR dimension to the leadership track.

Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Attendees praised the practical content, strong speaker lineup, and unique mix of operational, strategic, and leadership topics. The summit offered not just education but also real-world tools that companies can implement immediately.

With this successful launch, plans are already in motion for expanded leadership programming in Michigan—including a larger multi-day conference in 2026. Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, and supported this important event!