When you talk about IDEAL employees, the model one that works every hour of everyday, makes sure to finish the jobs, works with the other departments, so the finishing and shipping happens, and serves as the greatest TRAINER, then you are definitely describing our Employee of the Month for September 2024 – Mary McLaughlin.

Her journey from mastering the complexities of the MGI to becoming the go-to expert on the Xerox® Iridesse® Production Press is nothing short of inspiring and impressive.

Mary joined the JP Graphics family in May 2005, coming in to make plates and eventually morphing into one of the finest digital operators in the shop.

Mary is literally mentioned every senior staff meeting and has been the employee of the month for almost every year we have been doing this, and for good reason.

Mary has all the traits of a great employee, exceptional reliability, a wealth of knowledge, boundless patience, and genuine kindness. Not only does she excel as a top performer, but she also shines brightly as our chief trainer, expertly guiding and nurturing new operators with care and expertise. Her ability to teach and mentor others is truly unmatched. She is literally a one person show… Tiny, Mighty, Mary.

The Xerox Iridesse is the only machine we have two of here at JP Graphics. Its capabilities and usefulness for “specialty” work and customization for mailing have made it the chief go to digital machine.  It can go small – using up the remnants that come off the HP 15,000, or large 13 x 40. It can even handle landscape saddle stitch booklets with ease.  My Father used to say, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person,” and that is truly why we can produce out so many digital jobs a day. We just give it to Mary, and it will be done.

Mary’s efficiency, positivity, and steadfast dedication have made her a favorite among managers. Here are just a few of their comments:

• “We had 174 jobs in Digital and Mary just keeps them moving in and out as fast as she gets them.” ~ Joe
• “Mary works a lot and helps so much with the mailing. We can do the inkjet at the same time. Just cut and mail.” ~ Claudia
• “Mary is never in a bad mood, and I am not even sure she knows pressure, as she just calmly takes on the work.”~ Dave
• “Mary is just a model employee.” ~ Norbi
• “Mary gets the jobs done, either finishing herself, or taking to bindery and letting them know what else needs to be done. Lamination, die-cut, etc…  Its so easy to get it boxed up and ready to ship, and if you ask her to do right away, she never says no. She just gets it done. ~ Miguel
• “I have literally been giving every new hire here to Mary. To teach them how to read a docket, know the papers, how to work with the entire team to get jobs finished, showing how you CAN run multiple devices at the same time.  She will go get the answers she needs – papers or proofs and just works ALL DAY EVERY DAY.” ~ Joan

Mary, you set the bar high for all of us, and your contributions do not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do and for being such an inspiring force within our team!