Richard Beto Retires

After a 44-year career in the in-plant industry, capped by two decades as director of Document Solutions at the University of Texas at Austin, Richard Beto has retired. A familiar face at in-plant conferences, he has made countless friends around the country. His modesty and sage advice have drawn many to him, even as he strived to learn equally from them.

Richard Beto

“This has been the perfect job for me,” he says. “It’s been great. I have no regrets.”

A proud West Virginian, Beto got his start at West Virginia University Printing Services, where he rose to director. He came to Austin in 2004, where he successfully unified an in-plant that had long been separated into three distinct units – print, copy, and mail. He went on to add services like mainframe printing, promotional product sales, document shredding, and central receiving – all in an effort to better weave the in-plant into the thread of the university.

His efforts paid off. The In-plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) named Document Solutions Mail Center of the Year in 2013 and 2022, Print Center of the Year in 2015, presented it with the Organizational Impact Award in 2021, and twice honored the in-plant with its Promotional Excellence Award. Document Solutions won the In-Print Best of Show award three times.

Richard Beto (center) speaks on a panel at an IPI forum. With him are Sherri Isbell, University of Oklahoma, and Melynda Crouch, Texas Tech HSC.

A sharp marketing maven, Beto has also been a compassionate boss who put his staff first and never ceased to credit them for their efforts.

“I feel pretty proud of what we’ve established here and the types of services that we provide,” he says.

And while his retirement is sad for the industry that’s learned so much from him, his fellow in-plant managers look back fondly on the time they spent with him.

Jack Harvey (University of Tennessee), Blaine Gabriel (Ohio University) and Richard Beto (University of Texas-Austin) talk before a session at the SUPDMC conference.

“When I attended my first Southeastern University Printing and Digital Managers Conference 15-20 years ago, Richard was one of the first people that I met,” recalls Blaine Gabriel, director of Ohio University Printing Services. “He made me feel so welcome, and from that point on we have been very good friends. We talk regularly about our shops and still try to help each other.”

From left, Richard Beto from the University of Texas at Austin and John Cruser of Bloom­berg stand with their Best of Show awards.

“Richard was always the person who I felt I could ask a question and get an honest answer,” says John Cruser, global manager of Bloomberg Ink print services. “If he didn't have the answer, he would find the answer by asking around. Richard is one of the IPMA members who I looked up to. He has great knowledge of what was going on in the industry. When presenting at conferences, he always had a story to go with what he was sharing. He was fun to be around, always made me laugh, and I’m very happy to call him my friend and someone I know I can always reach out to for help.”

"I was introduced to Richard in 1996 at SUPDMC at the University of Florida. He was the best dressed in-plant manager I had met at that time, but he was anything but a stuffed shirt," recalls Mike Loyd, executive director of the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. "We had an instant connection and he has been one of my best friends, confidant, mentor and support person in my career. The next year he hosted SUPDMC at West Virginia University, which was a blast.

Past and current winners of IPMA’s Mail Center of the Year award are all smiles during the awards banquet. From left: Mike Lincoln (State of Colorado), Catherine Ciardi (Excellus BlueCross BlueShield), Richard Beto (The University of Texas at Austin—this year’s winner) and Beth Gatewood (The University of Oklahoma).

"Richard has always been a leader and forward-thinker in our in-plant industry. Through many conferences, our bond has strengthened," he continues. "I have so many stories to tell and so many shared experiences to remember. I can think of no bigger advocate for the in-plant model and his support was always there for anyone who asked. He graciously hosted many peer conferences which were all top-notch and well attended. I know Richard will just be down the road in Austin, but I will miss our frequent interactions and his dry wit. I’ll miss him. His friends and colleagues will miss him. Most of all, this industry is losing a champion, a legend and a great source of information."

“One of my earliest memories was when I got a call out of the blue from Richard asking if I would have any interest in representing the industry with leading the Western Region of the National Government Printers Association,” says Mike Lincoln, vice president, Fulfillment Services at Mortgage Connect. “I thought to myself ‘sure, let’s give this a shot.’ Frankly, it was with that invitation that not only did I get a new dear friend, but an introduction to the vast family I have now via IPMA and the industry abroad. Once this is in your blood, it’s there for life, so as this chapter closes, I look forward to hearing about the next adventures.”

Theresa Hatcher recalls that after being laid off from her in-plant in 2015, she had no idea what her future held.

“I got a call from Richard, letting me know I had a job at UT if I wanted to make the move. He wanted to get his promotional products expanded and asked me to head up that program,” she says.

Though Austin was hours from her home, she took the job.

“He never failed to make sure I was doing OK, knowing I was 500 miles from home,” she recalls. “I only spent 14 months there. But those 14 months in Austin were nothing but a blessing to me, thanks to Richard.”

Fellow Texan Donna Horbelt, director of Repro Graphics at the University of California, Davis, bonded easily with Beto at conferences over the years and has a high respect for his leadership abilities.

“He is a true leader and is my mentor, supporter, confidant, sounding board and a great friend. Empathetic and honest, he always had time for a conversation about anything. The in-plant community is losing a dynamic force, but I know that he will still be around – how could you ever stay away from this great group of peers?”

AT SUPDMC 2019, Richard Beto, Jimmy Robinson, Drew Bergering and Theresa Hatcher listen to the opening keynote speaker.

Beto was proud to show off his in-plant, and always made sure his guests felt welcome.

“I visited his shop a few years back. He proudly showed me around and I was impressed,” says John Sarantakas, director of University of Oklahoma Print and Mail Services. “The tour ended up with a large poster welcoming me with a big OU and our 201 red! All the words were spelled correctly and everything.”

Richard Beto, John Sarantakos and John Yerger at the ACUP+ Awards banquet.

He also recalls a more humorous anecdote from an IPMA conference.

“Richard had a knack for losing his luggage,” Sarantakas says. “My favorite story was him winning an award at IPMA and going up to the stage in jeans and one of his famous Texas button downs. For those that know Richard, he is a snappy dresser and always looks neat and sharp. Well, not that night. He had probably been wearing the same clothes for at least two days. I was coming off the stage and took pity on the poor soul and shared my jacket. It was a 48 long and Richard is about half my size. He pulled it off though. He is a dear friend, and his counsel will be missed.”

As editor of In-plant Impressions, I have always appreciated the knowledge and advice Richard Beto has shared over the years. He has always been willing to participate in articles, so other managers could learn from him, and he was a welcome sight at conferences and trade shows. I join the entire in-plant industry in wishing him the very best in his retirement.

Showing off UT Austin's winning poster and Best of Show trophy are (from left) Mike Pappageorge, Vince Serna, Richard Beto, Mark Canepa (holding the Best of Show award), Landon Beisert and Victor Castillo.