Executive Management Team

As Chief Executive Officer and Founder of GFX International, Chuck Huttinger brings close to 30 years of retail and business experience to the company. His primary responsibility is to drive growth and provide strategic direction. Under Huttinger’s leadership, GFX has received numerous retail awards for excellence from various industry and trade organizations.

Prior to owning GFX for the last 19 years, Huttinger held the position of Chief Financial Officer for both Starmark International and Ocenco Inc., as well played a key role at Peat Marwick Mitchell, now KPMG LLP.

Huttinger holds a BBA from the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN.

Frank Gulik brings over 19 years of business experience to GFX. He is responsible for the company’s finance, accounting, reporting, strategic planning and facilities management functions.

Prior to GFX, Gulik was the Assistant Controller of ServiceMaster Company, L.P., where he was responsible for the full financial reporting, planning and analysis of three ServiceMaster divisions while reporting directly to the President of the company.

Gulik holds a Masters of Accounting Science and a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign, IL.

With numerous years of global retail experience, Willem Nieuwboer is developing exciting new technology solutions to better serve the retail industry. 

Prior to joining GFX, Nieuwboer developed the first fully digital large-format print shop in Europe and worked closely with the 3M Corporation in Germany to develop innovative digital products and services. In the early 90s he moved to Atlanta, GA to work hand-in-hand with 3M to build the most sophisticated digital, high-volume production shop in the U.S. for the 1996 Olympics. His success in production led to opportunities with international Fortune 100 companies meeting the demanding global needs of companies including Adidas, Perrier, Coca-Cola, Apple, Disney and IBM.

With a European education in Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering, Nieuwboer has focused his career on using his creative abilities to find unique technical solutions to increase efficiencies and profitability wherever possible.

James McLaughlin brings nearly 30 years of retail experience to the company. His primary responsibility is to drive growth and provide strategic sales and client service direction. 

Prior to joining GFX, McLaughlin held the position of Vice President of Sales at Marketing Alternatives, Inc., where he was responsible for developing new and existing business strategies, negotiating business contracts and managing the company’s joint venture.

McLaughlin has also held key positions at Katherine Frank Creative, Inc., Benchmarc Corporation, Chicago Show, Inc. and NCM International.

McLaughlin holds a MS from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Lake Forest, IL and a BS from Loyola University, Chicago, IL.

Mark Taylor has over 17 years of operations experience in retail and P-O-P signage production with GFX. His current responsibilities include production planning, large-format digital production, screen printing, fulfillment and logistics operations. 

A seasoned expert in the printing industry, Taylor has shared his knowledge as a panelist on several SGIA educational seminars related to UV digital flatbed selection and production. Taylor is a graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL

With over 17 years of experience in the retail industry, Alan Brask brings a wealth of strategic and technical knowledge to GFX. His responsibilities include identifying and developing technology for new dynamic digital signage offerings as well as strategizing the technical implementation plans for retail environments. 

Prior to GFX, Brask has held a variety of positions at top retail companies, including Williams-Sonoma, Natural Wonders and Craft Showcase. Brask is the inventor of two patented technologies for digital signage and the business author of Tiger Success—Surviving in Our Jungle with Lessons Learned in Theirs.

Brask is a Hotchkiss Scholar, graduating with an MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

As Vice President – Human Resources of GFX International, Inc., Debbie Lofchie brings over 30 years of experience to the company. She is responsible for Human Resources, Employee Relations, Employee Benefits, Payroll and Administrative Operations. Her overall responsibility is to promote and assure equal opportunity in every aspect of employment for every GFX employee throughout his or her career. 

Prior to GFX, Lofchie was employed at Marking Specialists/PTI as Human Resources and Marketing Manager. Lofchie also held key positions at Mace Advertising, William J. Narup & Co./Advertising, and William M. Mercer, Incorporated/Employee Benefits & Actuarial Consultants.

Lofchie earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, and an Executive MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in Lake Forest, IL.

Jeff Kaiz brings over 30 years of graphics experience to GFX, with 15 of those years in P-O-P. He oversees the company’s purchasing and procurement, production planning, installation and estimating departments.

Prior to GFX, Kaiz owned and operated Samuelson Printing for over 22 years; a sheet fed and web litho-printing company.

Kaiz holds a BA in Business Administration from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.