Michele Bisson Savoy
Sales Representative
Quebecor World

Michele Bisson Savoy joins an elite group of West Coast publishing professionals as the 2005 recipient of the prestigious Bookbuilders West Distinguished Service Award. In 1983 several former BBW Presidents created a committee to recognize individuals who have made a lasting impact on our industry and on the organization through his or her unselfish service and commitment. Each year the DSA committee evaluates qualified candidates and conducts a ballot of its members to select the annual recipient and the award is presented at the annual book show. The national influence and great success of Bookbuilders West for more than 30 years is the result of the tireless efforts of many volunteers and the sponsorship of member companies.

This year's recipient clearly meets the criteria established by the DSA committee. Michele's demonstrated unselfish dedication and creativity to the organization during a challenging period of industry transition, mergers, and cutbacks. As President of Bookbuilders West she battled low event turn out with inventive venue changes and social activities and non-traditional programs replaced routine monthly meetings. She was proactive in increasing meeting attendance and recruiting new board members. Michele's leadership was a turning point for the organization.

Michele was born and raised in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Her mother was an English professor and instilled in her a love of books. Michele got her first job in printing as a teenager at the local print shop. She was always interested in writing and design and took that love of printing to college with her. Michele studied business at Lyndon State College and was editor of the college newspaper. She moved to California with her husband, Lindsay, in 1979. She first found a job at a daily newspaper (the Daily Construction Journal) but quickly discovered that she was really hooked on printing and missed the smell of ink and the sound of the press room.

Michele moved to the printing side of the business when she was hired by George Lithograph. She continued to have an interest in publishing and owned part of City Bike Magazine for many years. (Combining her love of motorcycles with writing and publishing.) Her career at George saw her through the ranks of printing, from Graphic Arts Coordinator, to Sales Assistant, to Sales Representative. Michele worked at George for 16 years and learned the basics of printing, books, and sales. She joined Bookbuilders West in 1997 as a board member and was a chairperson of book show with Bill Ralph and Carol Bystrom.

James Earp (Quebecor Sales Manager and Regional Vice President) convinced Michele to go to work for QW in 2000. Michele fit right in at Quebecor, and it isn't just because she has such a nice French name! She was able to call on many of the customers (and friends) that she had made while working for Bookbuilders West. Michele became President of BBW in 2003 and served for two terms. Michele says "she was fortunate to have a very young and naive board. They were willing to try anything!" BBW moved the jobs bank online and it is now the most used section of our website with many thanks to Rad Proctor. She credits Elise Gochberg with help in selecting new and exciting meeting venues. Under Michele's leadership the book show categories were revamped and the organization re-energized with help from Ramona Beville, Mary Lou Goforth, Amy Changar, Mike O'Brien, Maureen Forys, Bill Ralph, Mike Johnson, Don Smith, Debbie Langhurst, Nancy Tabor, and direction from Casi Kostecki, Arleen Cowan, Tony Crouch, and Roy Wallace.

Many thanks to Michele for your service, professionalism, and example.