Raff Printing Deb Aheimer

In November 1979 I started at Raff Printing after a short career as a keypunch operator (now that's a term you haven't heard in awhile) at WQED.

I started at Raff as a typesetter/paste-up artist without any formal training. All my training was on the job. As I think back over the past 27 years, a few moments stand out.

First was in 1982 when I went from an IBM electronic Selectric Composer to a "computerized" Varityper. Using a Varityper involved writing your own code for photo typesetting. Another time was when the roof collapsed. Though devastating, it was amazing to see everyone roll up their sleeves and work so hard to put this company back together; even people you never would have expected help from. The next outstanding moment was in 1994, the day the two MACs arrived. We just looked at them for a few days not knowing exactly what to do with them. That seems like ancient history. Researching technology to build our pre-press department has been the most exciting for me.

I have learned so much about owning and managing a business. One of my mottos is: "Life is not a destination, but a journey". I am enjoying the journey!

Debbie along with her husband Fred E. are part owners of Raff Printing Company. They have one daughter, Alison.