05/20/2008
CONTACT: Candace Daly, 801-599-8519 or Tony Malandra, 415-664-9685
Jeff Alexander started with one pallet of paper and one Xerox machine
SALT LAKE CITY -- He started the first print-for-pay service in the Utah Valley and now runs one of the fastest growing digital printing companies in the Intermountain West. For this and many other contributions to free enterprise, Jeff Alexander today was named the Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion of the Year for Utah.
The honor was conferred upon Alexander by the Utah Leadership Council of the National Federation of Independent Business. Each year, NFIB and Solveras single out a small business owner in all 50 states for special recognition and honor him or her with their prestigious Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion of the Year award. This is the fifth year NFIB has recognized small business owners who go the extra mile for their fellow entrepreneurs and the first year Solveras, one of the nation's leading payment processing companies for small businesses, has joined in. Last year's winner was Mark Lewon of Salt Lake City. Evan Vickers of Cedar City won it in 2006, Jan Zogmaister of West Haven in 2005, and John Christensen of Salt Lake City in 2004.
Shortly after graduating from Brigham Young University in 1978, Alexander started Alexander's Print Shop with one pallet of paper and one Xerox machine. Today, his Alexander's Print Advantage, based in Lindon, employs 65 people, is one of the fastest growing digital printing companies in the Intermountain West, and has its own proprietary software that allows customers control of print ordering and marketing from anywhere in the world. "Throughout my career I have tried to find markets that aren't being serviced well and then offer a service that brings added value to the customer," said Alexander, who also served 16 years in the Utah House of Representatives after his election in 1990. "Many of my legislative constituents were also my business customers. Meeting them helped me remember the need to pass no legislation that would make it harder to do business in the state. This wasn't easy, because there are many who believe businesses will always be there and always make money, no matter what government does."
For NFIB/Utah, Alexander is a member of the Leadership Council and attended the association's 2008 Small Business Day at the Capitol. For his community, Alexander is a member of the United Way of Utah County, Provo Rotary Club, and the Utah Technology Council Board. He has also served on the boards of directors for the Utah Manufacturers' Association, the International Printers Network, and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. Alexander is currently an advisor in the state's Economic Development Department. He can be reached for further comment at 801-224-8666.
