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Gr eg Co f fman
I
n 1886, Coshocton, Ohio,
became the birthplace of
the promotional advertising
industry—and Greg Coffman’s
company forebears were there to
pass out the cigars. Maintaining
a legacy like the one established
by Elliott Calendar Co. is no easy
feat, but as the fourth generation
to work at the company,
Coffman and his brother, Thad,
have taken the baton and
are ushering in a new era.
“My first job in the industry
was at the Elliott Calendar Co./
Hour Glass Line, beginning in
1997,” Coffman recalls. “I have
loved hearing the stories along
the way about my grandfather,
Bill Coffman, and the old
days in Chicago.” Coffman
counts industry giants Bill
Bywater and Bob Yaw among
his mentors. “They shared
how important it was that our
industry was formed by families
and their companies. The first
industry show my brother
and I attended was the 1984
summer show in St. Louis—I
still have my name badge.”
Coffman is a graduate of
Miami University and has
been married to his wife, Jen,
for 21 years. They have three
children ages 11, 15 and 17. In
his spare time, Coffman says,
he collects and repurposes
industrial salvage. He is
also helping his wife start a
Greg Coffman
keeps the legacy
of Elliott Calendar
Co. alive
by
Jen Alexander
Carrying The Banner
Greg Coffman
94
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NOVEMBER 2016
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