In May 2024, Sarah Vogel was appointed CEO of Interstate Printing, a family-owned, full-service commercial printer in Omaha with a legacy spanning over a century. Her appointment marks a historic milestone—Vogel is the fifth Peter family member and the first woman to hold the top leadership position in the company’s 107-year history. Her journey to this pivotal role is a testament to her expertise and a deep-rooted commitment to honoring her family’s heritage.
Founded in 1917 by German immigrant Valentine J. Peter, Interstate Printing has always been a family-run business. Over the years, the leadership baton passed from Valentine to his sons Raymond and Eugene, and then to his grandson, Bill Peter. Vogel takes on the mantle now as Valentine’s great-granddaughter, recognizing the weight of her family’s intergenerational legacy as she navigates the modernization of the printing industry.
“It was very important to my great-grandfather, as a small businessman, to have a company that provided valuable service to the community,” Vogel shared. “It’s humbling to be entrusted with this company by my family members. It’s my duty to make sure it grows and prospers.”
Women at the Forefront
Before joining Interstate Printing, Vogel spent nearly 16 years at Union Pacific, where she achieved significant milestones and honed the skills she applies in her current role. Initially working as a train dispatcher, Vogel progressed to overseeing the entire locomotive fleet and eventually managing all Pacific Northwest operations as Lane Superintendent. Each position refined her operational expertise, leaving behind a lasting legacy of her own as she brought her experiences to the printing industry.
Departing from Union Pacific was not an easy decision, but Vogel was driven by a sense of responsibility to her family’s business. Joining Interstate Printing as chief operating officer earlier this year, she brought a wealth of skills from her time at Union Pacific, ascending to CEO just a few months later. Vogel naturally brings a fresh perspective as the first woman in this role—she feels especially passionate about empowering women and fostering diversity within the industry.
“Sarah has been instrumental in forming a [foundation] of core values, purpose, and vision to prioritize and drive decisions,” said Brenda Sawyer, who works alongside Vogel as Chief Financial Officer. “We have a mutual passion for networking, mentoring, and supporting young people and women, knowing it adds meaning and purpose to our work.”
Vogel highlighted her partnership with Sawyer as a positive step toward creating a more inclusive workplace and keeping more women in leadership positions in the company’s future.
“I’ve always worked in male-dominated fields, predominantly in operations and logistics at UP, with very few women by my side. Bringing other women up in the organization was always important to me—I intend to do the same thing [at Interstate Printing],” Vogel affirmed.
Vogel and Sawyer’s partnership is relatively new, with Vogel only having joined the team in late February. Sawyer, however, already praises Vogel as intuitive and personable, highlighting her consistent encouragement and gestures of appreciation toward the team. Sawyer also appreciates Vogel’s attention to detail, such as personally refreshing the workspace by painting and replacing her office flooring with her husband.
“When I joined Interstate Printing in 2014, as I networked at various industry trade shows and conferences, it was noticeable how few females and young people were in those rooms,” Sawyer added. “That is changing, and I am grateful to be a catalyst of that change as Sarah and I work together. She’s a problem-solver and a strategist—she brings a lot of contagious passion and enthusiasm to work each day.”
Innovation and Sustainability
Vogel envisions the future of Interstate Printing as one where existing traditions are upheld while innovation is embraced to guarantee long-term success. She emphasized the company’s dedication to remaining at the forefront of rapidly evolving technology, particularly by leveraging new equipment to broaden their reach.
“We recognize the quality of our work and our longstanding traditions, but we’re also exploring new avenues to engage a younger workforce and accommodate more remote work,” she added. Vogel’s main objective is to integrate modern technology without losing the human touch of customer service, which has long been a hallmark of the family-owned business.
Furthermore, Vogel expressed her determination to understand the role of Artificial Intelligence in the printing industry. She believes that effectively implementing AI technology will be pivotal for automation and efficiency enhancements in their operations. Vogel is also keen on expanding the company’s sustainability efforts, which currently include recycling, responsible resourcing alongside partners, using sustainable soy inks, and more. Interstate Printing is actively working on getting a Forest Stewardship Council certification, she noted.
Community involvement remains another top priority for Vogel, echoing the core values upheld by her great-grandfather. “I am reaching out and engaging local companies to spark new partnerships, provide jobs, and support those in the area,” she said. With their headquarters based in North Omaha, Vogel’s approach prioritizes the continued growth of other neighboring businesses and the company’s own social responsibility.
Looking Ahead
One of Vogel’s most pressing tasks is addressing the industry-wide topic of an aging workforce. “This industry is filled with very skilled and loyal workers, and it’s going to be hard to replace those folks as they retire. Recruiting is very important,” she explained. “There is already such a solid culture here, so to foster and expand what we have is so rewarding.” Vogel plans to leverage their new technology for even more schedule flexibility, which is crucial for attracting a younger, more diverse workforce.
Vogel is proud to take the reins of her family’s company, ushering in the next chapter of Interstate Printing’s legacy by guiding the team toward the future. “For the longevity of the business, we need young talent and fresh ideas,” she said. “I think many people think of the print industry as a dying industry; in fact, it’s just shifting and changing.”
Vogel leverages her extensive operational experience and forward-thinking outlook as she navigates the challenges and opportunities ahead. Admiring Interstate Printing’s century-long history, Vogel is dedicated to ensuring the business not only thrives, but evolves under her leadership.
“There’s a shared drive to continuously improve our products and our customer service—there’s always an opportunity to grow as a team. We’ll celebrate each accomplishment, then work toward the next one.”
For more information, visit interstateprinting.com.
This article originally appeared in the August/September 2024 issue of B2B Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.