About NP & RC

In 1967 an idea of forming a Technical Training Center was born. The center was to offer accelerated programs in various areas of newspaper production. It was to be known as Newspaper Production & Research Center (a division of Southern Production Program, Inc.), and would find its home in Oklahoma City, OK.

NP&RC is a non-profit organization devoted to training apprentices, journeymen and managers, giving them the printing techniques necessary to stay abreast of the rapidly-evolving technology in the newspaper industry. NP&RC also provides on-site consulting and press evaluations, which are the best in the industry.

Hands-On Training Programs

NP&RC has been training Press, Platemaking, Camera, and Composing Room personnel since 1967. The training programs that we provide are hands-on. The instructors we have on staff are experts in their field and have worked at both large and small newspapers. The instructors are also kept up to date on the newest changes in technology. NP&RC has successfully trained pressmen and pre-press staff at newspapers all over the United States, Canada, Europe, England, South America and The Caribbean. 

NP&RC has a variety of training programs that last from one day to two weeks depending on your newspapers’ need or circumstance. NP&RC also has courses suited for those managers who need to know more about the press or pre-press areas. NP&RC can conduct these training programs anytime or anywhere, at a time that fits your schedule. 

The cost of our programs is very reasonable because member newspapers are part owners of NP&RC and have a voice in this organization. NP&RC’s training facility, in Oklahoma City, is the best training option for newspapers that have the time to send employees away for an intensive, uninterrupted one- or two-week program.

Membership

It is very important that all newspapers become a NP&RC member. The current NP&RC membership is 138. Our membership rates are very reasonable and have not increased since 1950. 

The cost for your newspaper’s membership is based on daily circulation, ranging from $300 for daily circulation of 12,500 or less to $1200 for daily circulation of 50,000 or more. See the membership application for dues calculations specific to your newspaper.

Careers

Join our mailing list today for career opportunities. We help connect both newspaper production & pressroom personnel and hiring organizations.

Our Staff

Steven C. Bourlon
Executive Director
sbourlon@flash.net
Frank H. Bourlon
Associate Director
nprc@flash.net
T.J. Rasor
Office Manager
tjrasor@flash.net

Officers & Directors

Michelle Talerico
CNHI, LLC, Montgomery, AL
SPPI President
Wayne Pelland
Gannett, Providence, RI
SPPI Vice-President
Michael C. Traynor
Savannah, GA
SPPI Secretary/Treasurer
Brian Karnick
Chicago Tribune Media Group
Chicago, IL
Terri Leifeste
Horizon Publications
Santa Maria, CA 
John Perrotto
Community Media Group, Inc.
West Frankfort, IL
Phillip Reid
Reid Newspapers, Inc.
Weatherford, OK
David Stringer
Southern Newspapers, Inc.
Lawton, OK
Bob Nutting
The Ogden Newspapers, Inc.,
Wheeling, WV
Doug Wilson
Adams Publishing Group
Minneapolis, MN
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