Pacific Office Automation (POA) marked a historic milestone on Friday, June 5, as employees across the company's nationwide footprint came together to celebrate 50 years in business. While POA's official anniversary falls on June 7, the organization chose to recognize the occasion with simultaneous celebrations in every office, honoring the people whose dedication has fueled five decades of growth and success.

Founded in 1976 by Terry Newsom, Pacific Office Automation has grown from a single office equipment dealership in Oregon into one of the largest independent office technology and managed services providers in the United States, serving customers across the western U.S. and beyond.

The anniversary celebrations focused on employee appreciation, recognizing the thousands of team members — past and present — who have helped build the company's reputation for service, innovation and long-term customer relationships.

"As we celebrate 50 years, I hope our employees embrace the future by following the advice of one of my favorite historical figures, Winston Churchill: 'The price of greatness is responsibility,'" said Terry Newsom, founder, POA. "The success of Pacific Office Automation has always been built by people who were willing to take ownership, work hard and do what's right for our customers, our communities and each other."

"Fifty years is an extraordinary accomplishment," said Adam Pritchett, CEO, POA. "This milestone belongs to every employee, customer, manufacturer partner and community that has been part of our journey. While we're proud of what we've accomplished over the last 50 years, we're even more excited about what's ahead as we continue to evolve, innovate and serve our customers."

The celebration also provided an opportunity to honor the life and legacy of Karen Newsom, co-founder, board member and wife of founder Terry Newsom.  Karen played a pivotal role in the company's early growth, helping establish many of the values and programs that continue to define POA today. Her commitment to employees, families and long-term stewardship helped create the culture that has guided the company for five decades.

"Today, as Pacific Office Automation's celebrates its 50th anniversary, it's fitting that we also celebrate the life of my mother and the company she helped build alongside Terry," said Brooks Newsom, CFO, POA. "While the success of POA belongs to the thousands of employees who have built this organization over the last five decades, I can say with absolute certainty that POA would not exist without Karen Newsom. She believed in treating people with respect, taking responsibility and putting family first — values that continue to shape our culture today."

"Karen's influence can be seen throughout Pacific Office Automation," Pritchett said. "She helped create a company that values people, family and community. As we celebrate 50 years, we also celebrate her remarkable legacy and the impact she had on countless employees, customers and friends."

Today, POA employs more than 1,500 people across more than 40 locations and continues to expand its portfolio of technology solutions, including managed IT services, cybersecurity, unified communications, workflow automation and managed print services. The company remains committed to its founding philosophy of investing in people, solving customer challenges and giving back to the communities it serves.

As POA looks toward its next chapter, the company remains focused on innovation, customer success and the relationships that have defined its first 50 years.

In other news, POA has been named one of the top 100 fastest-growing private companies in Oregon and southwest Washington by the Portland Business Journal. The company was celebrated at the Fastest-Growing Private 100 Companies Awards on June 4, 2026.

The honor reflects POA's sustained momentum, driven by a services-led business model, strategic geographic expansion and continued investment in integrated technology solutions. The company surpassed $500 million in annual revenue in 2025 and has maintained an unbroken growth streak spanning 49 consecutive years.

"Being recognized among the fastest-growing private companies in Oregon and southwest Washington reflects the strength of our team and the trust our customers place in us," Pritchett said. "We're building for the long term, expanding our footprint, deepening our service capabilities and staying committed to the communities where we operate. This honor is a direct result of the care our people place in every customer relationship."

The Portland Business Journal's Fastest-Growing Private 100 Companies Awards program recognizes privately held companies that demonstrate exceptional revenue growth over a defined period. POA's inclusion underscores its position as one of the most distinctive and rapidly scaling independent dealers in the office technology sector.

POA's growth has been further fueled by strategic acquisitions, including MKCnext, a Southern California-based leader in high-end wide-format printing equipment, service and consumables, and Western Business Products, which extends POA's coverage across northern California and southern Oregon. Together, these additions expand POA's capabilities into new product categories and geographies.

The recognition adds to a strong year of accolades for POA. The company has been named to CRN's MSP 500 Elite 150 List for 2026, recognized as a 2026 Elite Member of the Canon Advanced Partner Program and designated a Sharp Platinum Level Service Provider. The Phoenix Business Journal also named POA the #1 Cybersecurity Firm in Phoenix in its 2026 Book of Lists, and the Portland Business Journal ranked POA the #1 Largest Technology Services Provider in Oregon and Southwest Washington in its annual Book of Lists.