“Coming
to work every day is a wonderful stage experience,” explains Chuck McBride of
Kensington, MD’s CLB Printing Company. McBride, who at age 50 moved from New
York to Washington to study at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts,
knows a lot about the stage.
A
veteran actor, Chuck McBride can claim that he has done it all…stage,
television, radio, and movies. Having appeared in such hits as GI Jane, Mars Attacks, and Contact,
he speaks of his career with great pride. According to an exuberant McBride,
the highlight of his movie career thus far has been meeting legendary actress
and director Jodie Foster. He was able to shake her hand and express his
fondness for her work in the field. He also recalls that, having been dressed
as a Franciscan monk, he had to turn away many people who wanted prayers or
marriage ceremonies performed for them on the set. And while that may have been
the highlight, McBride laughs when he tells of his most interesting part…that
of a chicken, dressed in some obscure shade of pink. Apparently, hosiery stores
in upstate New York aren’t accustomed to male clientele requesting pink
leotards. But McBride persevered.
While
he may be well versed in the entertainment business, Chuck confesses that his next
offer was a part he was not prepared to play. And yet, this was one audition
that didn’t require a call back.
Educating Rita
McBride,
who has extensive experience in accounting as well as acting, one day found
himself presented with an offer he couldn’t refuse. “After my wife died, I found myself at loose ends. I was
approached by some good friends – Paul and Peggy Fuqua, to come down to
Washington.” They had asked McBride to be CFO of their sheet-fed printing
company, CLB. McBride had his doubts at first, his main objection being that he
knew nothing about the printing business. The Fuquas told him that he already
knew all he needed to know in order to fulfill the job requirements. Having no
other projects on the table, McBride accepted.
Soon
after Chuck McBride started working at CLB Printing Company, he discovered a
few things. One, the company was in serious financial trouble. Two, the Fuquas
were not going to be a part of the company much longer. Three, even a CFO of a
printing company has to know what the numbers mean in order to make things
work. So Chuck had to educate himself quickly if he was to preserve the value
of his stock and to keep himself, and perhaps the whole company, afloat.
McBride
says that his very first attempt at becoming hands-on, was trying to figure out
how to mic and measure a skid of paper.
CLB, who specializes in magazine printing, desperately needed a good CEO
at the helm and McBride was determined to make this new job last. After
learning about paper, other education was soon to follow. According to McBride,
he soon found out just how little he knew about the business.
After
CLB nearly went bankrupt and the Fuquas were bought out, McBride knew he needed
to hire a plant manager to operate the 58-person shop. The first one didn’t
work out and a succession of other managers was to follow, none fulfilling
McBride’s expectations. After removing the fifth plant manager in eight years,
McBride decided, “I couldn’t do any worse”.
Paul
Jungans, the former East Coast general manager of Zellerbach, took on the
position of partner in 1996, when CLB changed hands. So far, the match seems to
be made in heaven. Jungans and McBride have
turned the shop around, boasting 1999 as the most profitable year in the
history of the 29 year-old company.
McBride isn’t one to take a solo bow however. He attributes the
company’s success to his partner as well as knowledgeable department heads. He
boasts about the teamwork of CLB, and is quick to point out that the reference to
“my employees” doesn’t mean that he is lord and master. He is merely part of an
ensemble cast.
With
the purchase of a 5 year-old, $600,000 Komori, CLB has big plans for the
future. The Komori should be up and running to full potential in August, after
some electrical modifications by the local service provider. According to
McBride, CLB wants to devote itself to getting up to date, including
concentration on design work for its clients. With the extended services and
continued growth of CLB, one can only hope there will still be time for a trip
to the movies.