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Name: Tapella, Robert
Current Position: Former Public Printer
A California native, Robert Tapella began serving as the CEO of the Government Printing Office on October 4, 2007. At the age of 12, he learned the art of calligraphy, illumination and bookbinding. Two years later Tapella became a freelance designer with The New Scribes in San Jose, CA. He built his own design business that included work in print brokering, direct mail, corporate communications and strategic planning, before attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he graduated in 1991.
Tapella then turned to a career on Capitol Hill from 1996 to 2000, serving as a professional staff member for Rep. Bill Thomas (R-California) and in 1997, Rep. William Redmond (R-New Mexico). In 2002, he joined the GPO, where he worked for five years before taking over the leadership. As a principal architect of GPO’s “A Strategic Vision for the 21st Century,” Tapella worked to improve the printing office’s internal operations and move it towards digital technology. However, he engendered controversy over a portrait of himself that cost taxpayers more than $11,000.
Tapella is an alumnus of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and an alumnus of Leadership Sunnyvale.
Interview with Robert Tapella (Government Computer News)
Robert C. Tapella (Whorunsgov.com)