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Distinguished Service Award—2007/2008
 This year’s honoree, Stephen Thomas, epitomizes the spirit of volunteerism that moved Bookbuilders West to create this acknowledgement of outstanding performance in 1983. Many members have had the opportunity to cross professional paths with Stephen. Many more will in the future as well. Here we share a brief history of Stephen’s dedication to the BBW community.
Stephen is highly regarded as a visionary among his colleagues. He encourages Bookbuilders to embrace technology in a practical way, to communicate relevant information to its membership, and to inspire meaningful missions for the organization. Using his entrepreneurial and leadership skills, and a very limited budget, he leads the way in creating a BBW Web presence. With dedication he inspires and refines a fitting long-term approach, using the Internet to promote education, collaboration, and interaction amongst BBW’s member-professionals.
The list of BBW historical events under Stephen’s leadership is long. He has served on the board since 1990, with a stint as President in 1999 and 2000. Typical of his innovative and visionary style, in 1998 he created a “Retro 70s” theme for the Book Show, which celebrated the decade since BBW’s first book show. Stephen also introduced the original concept of Bookbuilders University, the organization’s first effort at sponsorship programs to develop resources towards fulfilling BBW’s educational mission.
Two years later, in 2000, Stephen organized a milestone partnership with NAPCO to host the first BookTech West conference, and presided over the largest Book Show in BBW’s history, with over 600 guests at the evening dinner event. The affair sported a “Back to the Future” movie theme, with musical sketches by a willing cadre of volunteers.
An aggressive and successful entrepreneur in the publishing industry, Stephen has high regards for the collaborative environment Bookbuilders West’s professional service organization promotes. He regularly inspires intramural activities between other professional organizations, including Boston Bookbuilders. Marty Rabinowitz, Boston Bookbuilders President and recipient of the Prestigious Dwiggins Award, offers the following: “Stephen is a professional who does not let mental walls block him in or ego to substitute for reason. He takes the time to do the research and to base his logic in fact instead of feelings. You always end a conversation with him a little richer than when you began.”
In over fifteen years of dedicated service to Bookbuilders West, Stephen has always (and unselfishly) made himself available to lead the largest of undertakings, accessible to tackle the most thankless of administrative drudgeries with neither prejudice nor complaint. Often the promoter of a good laugh, Stephen’s focus on accomplishing goals is unwavering. As education is a primary mission of Bookbuilders West, one rarely encounters Stephen Thomas without learning something new about the publishing industry or its people.
While creating a list of Stephen’s contributions to BBW members, our proximity to Wine Country became apparent and most fitting: Vision–Inspiration–Networks–Technology–Access–Generosity–Education.
It becomes readily apparent that Bookbuilders West celebrates and enjoys–VINTAGE 2007–Stephen Thomas.
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