Here’s Part 2 of our series on the amazing women of Precision Images…

A while back, while trying to figure out who was Precision Images’ longest serving employee, Patti Hanson and Heather Brower (who you’ll meet in the next few weeks) each insisted the other had been here longer. Here’s some amazing facts, Patti’s husband retired from Precision Images a few years ago, and her son Chris is our Production Manager. Patti was recruited to join Precision Images from it’s very beginning by co-founder Don Bitterman. She has a smile that lights up a room, and mad paper airplane skills.

Please explain what you do at Precision Images.

Manage construction document library and online plan room:

• process orders for hardcopy or digital files
• provide project document management throughout the ‘life’ of a project, from Schematic Design through Record As-Builts, with special emphasis on the bidding phase
• implement and manage custom plan rooms for general contractors and facility managers

Purchasing supplies & materials for PI’s in-house operations

Process customer requests for equipment supplies

Invoicing customer supply orders, back-up invoicing for production orders

Fill in where needed, as requested in production and customer service

 

How did you come to work here? How long have you worked here?

My husband and I both worked for the same reprographic company as founding partners Phil & Don and followed them into their new business.  I started with PI about six months after they opened their doors in 1992.

 

Favorite thing about working at PI? Favorite memory?

Hard to choose a favorite.  I’ve experienced so much and have been given so many opportunities for growth, both professionally and personally.

• managed a printing services trailer on the Nike headquarters job site during its initial construction
• managed PI’s first branch office in downtown Portland
• contributed to the start-up and eventually managing the document library, including consulting on custom software development
• coordinated our other job site print services trailer managers with library services and print production at the main shop
• provided exclusive management of document files for large construction projects from General Contractors, coordinated printing & distribution to subcontractors

I have enjoyed freedom to create; to learn and apply that knowledge for the benefit of PI as well as myself.  I still feel pride in myself, if I may be allowed, for the time and effort invested in studying and passing the exam for certification as Construction Document Technologist, offered through the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI).

Favorite memory:  engaging in a little office romance that grew into a marriage that has lasted almost 42 years.  My husband left the printing industry to start his own construction business.

Future favorite memory:  working with our son, who also has his own extensive history with PI.

Printing is a male dominated field, have you ever had issues with that? How does it feel to work in the printing industry?

I don’t think there is a woman out there who hasn’t had some kind of issue in the work place, and I don’t think the printing industry, generally speaking, is any different from any other industry.  By that I mean, wherever you have multiple people, there will be a rainbow of opinions, beliefs and issues.  At times during my career I have faced some attitudes that were hard to ignore, but they were few and far between.  I am fortunate to have not experienced the hardship and heartache so many other women have endured.

I can truthfully say the years spent at PI have been the best.  Phil & Don have fostered an environment that is respectful and inclusive.  Employees are treated fairly as individuals and, as all companies must have policies and procedures (for the good of all), flexibility is allowed.  We are a team, we are a family (bickering included!).

 

How has the industry changed over the years?

Tremendously!  When I started at the tender age of 18, 16mm & 35mm microfilm, aperture cards and microfiche were the predominate methods of file storage.  Black & white prints could be made from the film or blueline (diazo) copies were made from translucent originals (vellum/sepia).  We then progressed to black & white printing without the smelly ammonia of ‘blueprinting’.  Machines became faster, sharper, and with more color.  Color opened the door to serving more diverse customer groups in addition to more opportunities within our traditional customer base, Architects/Engineers/Contractors.  Gone are the days when we printed 100+ sets of 300+ drawings for bidding contractors, shipping them all over the US and in some cases, the world.  The Document Library is a little quieter these days with digital files handled through online plan rooms or directly from person to person.  However, as with the industry, our jobs and responsibilities have continued to evolve and advance.  There is no standing still!

 

How do you feel about the future of printing?

Excited!  PI has always stayed current, on the cutting edge of new developments.  I enjoy being part of PI’s journey into the future.  I’ve come far and learned much, but there is so much more to see and do.  Never stop learning…

Favorite food? Favorite band or music? Favorite movie? Favorite book?

I can’t pin down one favorite of anything.  There are many things that bring enjoyment.

Favorite food:  (almost) anything spicy.  If there is Tapatio hot sauce on it or jalapenos or pepperoni in it, it has to be good!

Favorite band/music:  I listen to several different types of music (I station-surf in the car).  Favorite bands have included The Beatles, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Chicago, Journey, The Police / Sting, Genesis / Phil Collins.

Favorite movie:  The Breakfast Club, A Star is Born (1976-Streisand/Kristofferson), Jesse Stone series.

Favorite book:  The Bible, early Stephen King.  Hmmm…..a bit of conflict there.