Flint Ink Appoints Top Execs

By: E&P Staff Flint Ink Corp. of Ann Arbor, Mich., the largest privately owned ink maker, today announced changes in its top leadership. H. Howard Flint II, chairman and CEO since 1992, on Jan. 1 became non-executive chairman of the board of directors.

Dave Frescoln, Flint president since 1992, was elected vice chairman and CEO, and Chief Operating Officer Linda Welty was named to the added role of president. David B. Flint continues as executive vice president.

Howard Flint said the changes "will ensure a smooth transition" and that he "will continue to have an active role in setting the direction" of the company."

The first member of the third generation of the family to head Flint Ink, Howard Flint began his career with the company in 1964 and rose through positions in personnel, purchasing, sales, finance, and management. He was elected a director in 1967 and president and COO in 1988.

Over the past 12 years, Flint Ink has more than tripled in size. Its global expansion most recently included the opening of a news ink manufacturing plant in Beijing. The company also launched three new wholly owned subsidiaries in non-traditional printing-related businesses, including digital printing, printed electronics, and media workflow color management.

Frescoln joined Flint Ink in 1992 as vice president, chief financial officer, and was elected president in late 1992. He is also a director. Before joining Flint Ink, Frescoln was vice president of finance and administration with Williams International Corp.

Welty became Flint Ink COO in 2003, with responsibility for the company's global ink operations. Previously with H.B. Fuller as group president and general manager of its Full-Valu and Specialty groups, Welty also chaired the board of Fuller's venture-capital arm. She earlier spent 21 years with Hoechst AG.