Meet Ripon Printers’ Executive Team

Andy Lyke, President
andyl@riponprinters.com

Andy began his graphic arts career by helping out at his family’s weekly newspaper, the Ripon Commonwealth Press. His first duties included sweeping floors and inserting flyers into weekly shoppers. He went on to attend the University of Notre Dame and completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting. After spending two years in the Chicago office of Arthur Andersen as a staff auditor, Andy returned to Ripon Printers in 1985 as the company’s controller. Among other accomplishments, he laid the foundation for Ripon’s leap into the electronic age. Andy earned both his CPA license and his pilot wings by 1994 and became president of Ripon Printers five years later. He and his wife, Jeanne, who is a practicing pediatrician, are active in community affairs and the proud parents of two sons.

Audrey Lyke, Owner and Vice President of Finance

A native of the Chicago area, Audrey attended Oak Park High School and then graduated from Carleton College, Northfield, MN. In 1962, she and her late husband, Doug, purchased the Ripon Commonwealth Press. Audrey immediately became active in the financial side of the business, while Doug focused on sales and operations. A community leader, she served on the Winne/Fond/Lake Private Industry Council and the boards of two area banks. She currently serves on the Ripon College Board of Trustees and has chaired a number of key committees during her 18-year tenure.

Audrey is a founding member of the Board of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation and instrumental in starting the annual Ripon event called “Dickens of a Christmas.” Audrey and Doug received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce in 1992 and the Founders’ Day Award from Ripon College in 1994. In September 2001, they were both awarded honorary degrees from the College for “their unwavering and generous commitment to Ripon College.” She has four children and 10 grandchildren, with sons Andy and Tim active in the family businesses.

Tim Lyke, Publisher of the Ripon Commonwealth Press
timl@riponprinters.com

Like his brother, Andy, Tim’s career in the printing and publishing business began with cleaning up around the plant. After graduating in 1981 from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, Tim moved to the Twin Cities where he helped oversee a system of 12 Montessori pre-schools. He then spent five years as editor of a four-edition weekly newspaper until his father invited him home to publish the Ripon Commonwealth Press. Under Tim’s guidance, the publishing division of Ripon Printers now includes The Express, a 17,000-circulation shopper, a 128-page annual community guide and the expansion of an existing summer vacation tabloid, the Green Laker. The Express has won numerous awards for its advertising excellence from the state’s shopping-guide association. The state’s newspaper association, for which Tim now serves as president, has named the Ripon Commonwealth Press the best weekly newspaper in the state for three of the past 10 years. Tim and his wife, Mary, live in rural Ripon with their two daughters and a son. Tim currently plays trombone in a classic-rock band and is active in his church and many civic affairs.

Dennis Darnick, Vice President of Production
dennisd@riponprinters.com

Dennis started working at Ripon Printers as a web pressman in 1975. With a preference for outdoor work and no previous background in the graphic arts, he didn’t expect to make printing a career. But Dennis quickly rose through the ranks to web press supervisor, then production manager and, in 1990, to vice president of production. He is responsible for customer service, engineering, maintenance, scheduling and production activities as well as playing a key role in equipment acquisitions and problem solving. Dennis still enjoys the outdoors — hunting and fishing as well as playing volleyball. Dennis and his wife, Janet, who is one of our customer service representatives, have three daughters.

Jeff Hopp, Sales & Marketing Manager
jeffh@riponprinters.com

Jeff joined Ripon Printers in 1992, working as a third-shift web pressman. In 1994, he moved into our estimating department where he streamlined processes by developing estimating spreadsheets for selected accounts. He became department supervisor in 1999 and soon thereafter began working closely with the sales department. Jeff’s ability to work effectively with both the sales staff and customers earned a promotion to sales and marketing manager in 2005. Outside his business responsibilities, Jeff has served as a volunteer fireman for the City of Ripon since 1994 and was promoted to captain in 1996. Jeff’s wife, Julie, is also employed at Ripon Printers as a customer service representative, and they have two daughters. Jeff also participates in local youth sports programs including softball and basketball. His summers are filled with golfing and boating with his family on nearby Green Lake.