GSG and Family Remember Annette Timmerman

Graphic Solutions Group (GSG), a wholesale distributor to the apparel decorating, digital print, electrical sign and commercial markets, recently lost a cherished employee. The company announced the passing of Annette Timmerman on its LinkedIn page.

To help honor Annette and her impact on the apparel decorating industry, GSG reached out to co-workers, peers, and family on our behalf.

Mark Granberry, CEO/president of GSG, tells GRAPHICS PRO, “Annette was the consummate professional salesperson. She asked questions, she followed up when a customer asked her to find something out for them, and she was always pleasant in her demeanor with everyone. Annette was always prepared when she made a sales call and went the extra mile to help a customer succeed.”

He adds that she was always willing to help her peers, put together tips and tricks she learned along the way and share them with fellow salespeople.

“Rarely do you find someone who cared as much as Annette did about the customers she called on and the people she worked with,” Granberry continues. “She was a lovely person to be around and work with.”

Fred Gates, GSG screen segment manager and Annette’s direct manager, says she was a great person to work alongside, being a top-producing rep and admired by her customers. He adds, “She always went above and beyond to help GSG and her fellow peers. She will be dearly missed.”

A close peer, Joe Garcia, GSG screen segment territory manager, remembers when Annette first started at GSG seven or eight years ago.

He recalls, “I first met Annette as the new candidate that would be taking over the Arkansas screen sales territory. We meet at the NBM SHOW in Irving, Texas. I couldn’t put my finger on it at that time, but later, I realized that she made people feel like she had always known you.”

He remembers her as a quiet yet personable person who listened, cared, and loved serving others by “providing the answers needed for their business,” And says, “you couldn’t help but becoming a friend at the same time.”

One example of this, Garcia says, is when Annette manually printed sales tools and color cards for the outside sales force — something that took a few weekends outside of work. She believed the team needed the extra tools to provide to customers, and it’s things like this that paint the picture of Annette’s passion and personality.

“She didn’t back down from a challenge but quietly went about accomplishing what was necessary with passion and a plan,” he adds. “Again, I will say, a thoughtful lady, caring, willing to take the time to listen to you about anything. She may have had her own opinion, but she wasn’t argumentative. A good listener! Even though I had been with GSG for many more years, I learned a lot from her. She was a good friend, beautiful person inside and out, and I will miss her very much.”

It’s clear Annette left her mark on her co-workers, and the same rings true for her clients. GSG customer and owner of B-Unlimited Ben Clark shares a special message about Annette with Granberry, stating:

“Mark, I want you to know she really enjoyed working for you. She loved GSG. Y’all had become family to her. I know this is hard on y’all as well as us as it sinks in. She always represented GSG on the highest level. I was not easy on her at the beginning when she took over for Joe, but she quickly became a trusted friend. We won’t forget her.”

Annette’s sister Vicki says she had plenty of passion and ambition outside of work as well. She notes her love for travel and finding the best restaurants, as well as an excitement for hiking.

“She traveled to Zion National Park earlier this year and hiked several trails, but I think Arkansas trails were still her favorite,” Vicki recalls. “We sisters hiked Lost Valley and Glory Hole this past spring.”

In addition to spending time outside, Vicki says Annette took delight in cooking gourmet meals for her family.

A special thanks goes to Beth Wolf for gathering these sentiments and memories. Annette was admired by many, and GRAPHICS PRO sends its deepest condolences to Annette’s family, friends, and co-workers.