H Howard Flint, II, chairman and retired ceo of Flint Ink Corp, died on June 14, 2005, after a brief illness. He was 66.
Born in Detroit, Howard was the grandson of the corporation's founder, H Howard Flint. After working at the family company during college and graduate school, he began his full-time career at Flint Ink in 1964 and began gaining experience in a wide range of business functions, including human resources, purchasing, operations, and sales. In 1967, he was elected to the board of directors, and in 1972 he was named vice president and branch manager of the ink manufacturing operation in Chicago.
In 1976, he returned to Detroit to assume the position of executive vp with responsibilities in finance and manufacturing. He was elected president and coo of Flint Ink Corp in 1988, and chairman and ceo in 1992. In January, 2005, Howard retired as ceo, assuming the position of non executive chairman of the board.
Under his leadership, the corporation more than quadrupled in size, expanding into the international marketplace and moving into digital and printed electronics technologies. It remains the largest privately owned printing ink manufacturer in the world.
Throughout his career, Howard was a respected leader in ink and printing industry trade associations. He served as treasurer of the Gravure Association of America and as a trustee of the Gravure Education Foundation. He was named Gravure Person of the Year in 1998. A past president of the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers, he received its Printing Ink Pioneer Award in 1991. In 1999, he received the Ault Award, the highest honour bestowed by NAPIM, in recognition of his many contributions to the ink industry.
Over his 40-year career in the ink industry, he demonstrated leadership, integrity, a strong business sense, and a warm personal regard for his colleagues, employees, and customers. He is survived by three daughters, nine grandchildren, a brother, and a sister.
