Brian McCarthy
Brian McCarthy, who was IRgA's executive director from 1993 to 1999, passed away January 26. McCarthy became IRgA's leader during a period of reorganization, and guided the group through the growth years of the 1990s.
"Brian McCarthy brought energy and a younger perspective to the IRGA during his tenure as executive director that was a well needed addition to the organization," says Cathie Cushing-Duff, president of Cushing & Co. in Chicago and president of IRgA when McCarthy was hired. "Under his administrative leadership the association expanded its communications with industry groups in both Asia and Western Europe, and welcomed service providers and vendors in the digital color arena. It was a time of expansion at the IRgA and his leadership helped to increase our visibility."
Said Carol Nelson, who was IRgA president in 1995-1996: "I thoroughly loved working with Brian all those years. He did many good things for the IRgA. He was a wonderful person."
After leaving IRgA, he became chief operating officer of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a trade association representing the information technology industry. He served CompTIA until 2007, when he became president and CEO of the Portland Cement Association, a trade group that represents cement companies. He held that position until the end of 2012, when Portland Cement moved its leadership from Skokie, Illinois to Washington DC.
Earlier he had worked for the Printing Industry of Indiana and the Master Printers Association of Illinois. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois.