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After five decades in the print industry and 15 years at SmithBates, Mike Klein is officially entering semi-retirement. Mike has been a cornerstone of our company, bringing unmatched expertise, humor, and dedication to every project. While we will deeply miss seeing him in the office every day, his impact will continue to shape our culture and our work.
Mike’s journey began at just 16 years old with a summer job at his family’s printing business in Akron, Ohio. His very first task? Painting the roof of the building—a job he jokes meant he “started out on top.” From maintenance to the press room, he quickly developed a deep understanding of the printing industry’s inner workings.
After earning a degree in Printing Sciences from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1981, Mike married his high school sweetheart, Liz, the following year. His early career included roles as a camera operator, purchasing agent, estimator, and salesman, giving him a “jack of all trades” reputation that followed him throughout his professional life.
Mike has never shied away from change. With the rise of the internet, he taught himself website design, digital marketing, and multimedia production, adding valuable new skills to his already wide-ranging expertise.
Mike’s contributions extended beyond SmithBates. As a board member of the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), he was honored with the Soderstrom Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the print and graphic communications industry. It was through this organization that he met Anne and Dan Cavenaugh, former owners of SmithBates, who later invited him to join the team.
In 2010, Mike came on board to lead a major project for JELD-WEN—and he never looked back. His talent for both strategy and execution has left a lasting imprint on SmithBates and its clients.
Over the years, Mike has worn many hats: business development lead, head estimator, website builder, tour guide, office comedian. His versatility, curiosity, and humor have been just as important to our success as his technical skills.
Mike and Liz are moving back to Akron, Ohio, to be closer to family and their grandchildren. While they will miss the culture, western heritage, and natural beauty of Southern Oregon, Mike is excited for this new chapter.
Importantly, this isn’t goodbye. Mike will continue to serve SmithBates as a remote employee, bringing his decades of knowledge and mentorship to the next generation of leaders. As owners David Johnson and Kendra Santiago note, SmithBates’ strength comes from its deep bench of industry experience—and Mike remains an invaluable part of that team.
Mike Klien’s semi-retirement is more than a career milestone—it’s a celebration of a lifetime of contributions to the printing industry and the SmithBates family. His legacy of leadership, adaptability, and humor will continue to inspire us for years to come.
Please join us in congratulating Mike on this exciting new chapter and in thanking him for the countless ways he has shaped SmithBates and the wider print community.
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