Rich Gassen has accepted the position of DPPS Printing Director, effective March 22, 2026, and overlapping with Geoff Larson, who is retiring on April 10.  

Rich brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion for the DPPS and university missions.  He spent the last 14 years as a Production Manager working side-by-side with Geoff through a COVID crisis which dramatically impacted DPPS, a relocation involving a completely new facility design, and a production modernization effort.  Rich cares deeply about his coworkers’ well-being, culture, and ever-developing leadership skills, and I’m excited to be working with him in his new capacity.

Please join me in congratulating Rich on his new position!

Tadd Smejkal — Director, Systems Engineering & Operations