OUR TEAM
Our team is an extension of our family. With generations of experience, the premier machinery and techniques of the trade, and our meticulous craftsmanship, we can bring virtually any custom creation to life.
LUIS OCON
FOUNDER
In Memoriam: Luis was born in Mexico in 1937 and came to Los Angeles in 1964. He met Helen Ocon, a waitress, in 1966 while working as a busboy. Luis and Helen were married in 1968. Luis adopted Helen’s four children and added a fifth child of their own. Luis had been a Linotype Operator since he was 13 when he secretly taught himself the art at night while working in a newspaper office in Mexico City. Luis became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and passed away in 2023.
BROOKS OCON
PRINTER/DESIGNER
Brooks has been printing and designing for almost 50 years. He is also skilled as a Linotype Operator and has special skills in custom mixing ink colors. He joined Aardvark in 1976 right after high school. His favorite in-house mixed ink is “Platinum Blonde” and his favorite typeface is Artcraft. His favorite place in Los Angeles is Langer’s (where he orders lunch frequently).
BILL BERKUTA
MASTER PRINTER
Bill has been working in various aspects of the printing industry for over 50 years and has been with Aardvark for more than three decades. Bill not only has a deep knowledge of letterpress printing and press machinery, but has an unmatched passion for the craft. Standing 6’ 8” Bill towers over almost everything in the shop. Bill is also a mechanic and sound engineer. He loves all the in-house mixed ink colors and house typefaces. His favorite place in LA is Patty’s restaurant, where he loves eating breakfast (2 eggs, ham and pancakes)
CARY OCON
GENERAL MANAGER
Cary joined the family business in 2000. He dropped out of high school in 1979 and moved to Monterey, CA in 1980 where he discovered education. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1988 with a degree in Rhetoric. After working in the freight forwarding business for 2 years, he went to the University of Minnesota to study law. After practicing law for about 10 years (and not liking most of it), he rediscovered his family’s business. His favorite typeface is Radiant Bold Condensed because it reminds him of Brian Eno’s Here Come the Warm Jets.
BRITTANY BAUTISTA
ASSISTANT MANAGER
Brittany is a second-generation Mexican-American and the first in her family to earn a college degree, graduating from Cal State LA with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Drawn to the artistry and craftsmanship of letterpress printing, she joined Aardvark Letterpress in 2021, where she thrives in an office role that balances creativity and precision. Brittany manages a range of client orders, ensuring every detail aligns with their vision—something she loves bringing to life against the sounds of the presses. Brittany's creative outlets include design, crafting, and sewing, and her desk is decorated with incredible art printed in the shop. Her favorite font is Brandon Grotesque and if you visit her desk, you can easily guess her favorite ink color. Additionally, she is a dedicated Dodgers fan!
ENZO OCON
PRESSMAN/BRAND ARCHIVIST
Enzo has a deep passion for analog technology and preservation—some might say to an extreme degree. Growing up around Aardvark, he always felt a connection to the craft, but it wasn’t until earning his film degree at DePaul University in Chicago that he realized he wanted to be here full-time. Now, he’s committed to helping Aardvark move into the future while continuously expanding his skill set alongside the team. One of his primary goals is to master the Intertype, but in the meantime, he loves working with the Heidelberg “windmills” and the Ludlow. Outside the shop, Enzo is on a mission to visit all 50 states before he turns 25—he’s at 42 and counting with a year and a half to go!
DEREK PETTIT
PRODUCTION SPECIALIST
Derek Pettit has been a close friend of the Ocon family since he and Brooks met in the fourth grade. His knowledge of music is unparalleled— his playlists in the shop regularly send people reaching for their phones to identify a song. He specializes in paper cutting, paper mounting, and edge painting and plays an important role in setting up every job in the shop.