RR Donnelley CEO Honored As Pace Leader in Management

Pace University honored Thomas Quinlan III, a 1985 graduate who is president and CEO of RR Donnelley, with the 2009 Leaders in Management Award. The award, along with an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree, was presented to Quinlan at a Pace fundraiser held at Cipriani Wall Street on April 30, which so far has raised nearly $500,000 for scholarships.

“Tom combines an approachable demeanor with the competitive nature of a great champion,” said Stephen Friedman, president of Pace University. “He leads by example, and is an inspirational role model for our students.”

In 2007, after five years with RR Donnelley, Quinlan was appointed CEO. Today, he oversees over 600 locations on four continents, and more than 60,000 employees. At 46 years old, he is one of the youngest CEOs in the company’s 145-year history, and one of the youngest to currently lead a Fortune 500 company (Donnelley is ranked as the 229th largest American corporation by Fortune magazine on the basis of 2008 revenue.)

Quinlan credits his success at such an early age to his parents and friends—who constantly encouraged him and instilled in him an unparalleled work ethic—and to his years at Pace, which helped him gain the business acumen and management tools for competing in today’s rapidly evolving global economy.

“Given the theme of Leaders in Management, it is appropriate to spend a few moments talking about leadership—and more important, about the way that it transcends what is typically associated with management,” said Quinlan. “I have been blessed throughout my 46 years to always be part of a team, whether it be amongst friends and family, in the classroom, in athletics, or at work. In my mind on a real team there is mutual accountability and support in an organized pursuit for a goal. Win or lose, success or failure—it occurs as a team. You never want to let your teammates down and everyone backs each other.”

Quinlan went on to speak about trust, and defined it in the workplace as:

• T = Truthful
• R = Reliability
• U = Understand people’s needs
• S = Service/personalized
• T = Take time to continue to make that trust stronger

Quinlan’s achievements reach beyond the boardroom where he has been a member of many philanthropic endeavors, including the American Cancer Society’s Board of Ambassadors and the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy. He has also continued to ardently support many of RR Donnelley’s civic causes such as literacy, the arts and freedom of speech. Specific to Pace, he has funded technology advancement initiatives.

Past recipients of Pace’s Leaders In Management Award, an annual tradition since 1962, include James Lipton, dean emeritus of the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University; Michael O’Reilly, retired vice chairman and CFO of The Chubb Corp.; Herbert Henkel, chairman of the board and CEO of the Ingersoll-Rand Co.; Ivan G. Seidenberg, chairman and CEO, Verizon Communications; Barry M. Gosin, CEO of Newmark Knight Frank; David Rockefeller, retired chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank; Edward D. Miller, then president and CEO, AXA Financial Inc.; Thomas C. Hays, chairman and CEO of Fortune Brands Inc.; and Eugene R. McGrath, former chairman of the board of Consolidated Edison Inc.