For John Jilek Jr., VP of sales and marketing at Inksolutions, LLC, receiving NAPIM’s Technical Associate Member (TAM) Service Award is a tremendous honor.

“The first thing I did the next day was review the past winners,” Jilek said. “An award is defined in large part by previous winners. It is a list I am humbling honored to be on. As I said at the podium, there are a lot of people who deserve this as much if not more than I do.”

After graduating from Florida State University, Jilek joined his father John Jilek Sr. at Inksolutions in 2004, beginning in the shipping department, where he worked for two years. When the company expanded into California, he became the logistic manager, coordinating all of the company’s shipments in and out of both plants. Two years later he went into sales, where he is now VP of sales and marketing.

“Looking for a job out of college, I wanted to work for people I could trust, and who would work with me to find my strengths and utilize them best,” Jilek said. “Moving into sales has been my biggest opportunity to prove myself at Inksolutions. I sold accounts Inksolutions did not have prior to my activity, and am working on becoming more involved in printed electronics and other cutting edge or diversified markets.”

“I thought it was fantastic that John was acknowledged for his work with NAPIM and other associations, John Jilek Sr. said. “He’s become his own man and does himself and the industry proud.”

Jilek notes a number of industry leaders who have been major influences on his career, including his father John Jilek Sr., Dan DeLegge, Urban Hirsch, Joon Choo, Dale Pritchett, Maurice Caruthers, Jim Leitch, John Sergeant, Brad Bergey and John Copeland.

He also spoke of the importance of NAPIM and trade associations in general. Jilek has served as a board member as well as presenting the annual State of the Industry Report for NAPIM, as well as a board member and golf chairman for the Chicago Printing Ink Production Club (CPIPC).

“Modern methods of doing business have questioned trade associations, and I think if you evaluate each individually, we see some have a lack of purpose in the current business environment,” said Jilek. “It has been a pleasure to work with a professional group like NAPIM. They have stayed focus on a mission to provide value added propositions to its members and an overall industry.”

DeLegge, who is VP at Inksolutions, said he thought it was great that Jilek as honored.

“When you look at our industry, it’s great to see the new generation starting to step up and do the things that need to be done in the future,” added DeLegge. “He is active in NAPIM and CPIPC ,and has extraordinary enthusiasm about the customers and the industry in general.”

Outside of work, Jilek enjoys spending time with his family.

“I mostly enjoy time with my family,” he said. “My two sons Jack and Cole are very curious little guys with a huge imagination and thirst for knowledge. It is a pleasure for my wife Tania and I to sit back and watch them grow and learn in various environments. Tania and I enjoy a nice bottle of red wine and a private dinner. My parents and sisters love getting together at our dad and mom’s place where we can boat or golf. Anytime I have to myself, I put in work at the gym.”
– David Savastano