Follett Corp. president, CEO to retire
RIVER GROVE — Chuck Follett, president and CEO of Follett Corp., today announcedhe will retire after 38 years of service with the company.
Follett is the operator of college bookstores and a istributor of physical and digital educational materials and services to primary, secondary and university level institutions.
“The company is strong both financially and operationally, and our businesses hold leading positions in every market we serve,” Follett said. “I couldn’t be more confident in our plans, our people and the future for Follett. Given the progress we’ve made during my time as President and CEO, I’m comfortable I can step away knowing Follett is poised for continued success in the years ahead.”
The company’s board of directors has initiated a search for Follett’s successor. In the interim, Follett will remain the company’s President and CEO until a successor is identified.
“We are fortunate to have had Chuck as a leader and innovator over his nearly four decades with the company,” said Follett Corp. Chairman Alison O’Hara. “Because of his vision, Follett Corporation long ago recognized the importance of technology in education and began investing in the strategies and capabilities that today drive our successful e-commerce and digital businesses.”
As the company’s president and CEO since June 2010, Follett had a direct hand in reorganizing and aligning Follett Corporation’s K-12 school and library businesses-creating the Follett School and Library Group that serves tens of thousands of Follett customers in schools across the United States and around the globe. During his tenure the company successfully rolled out a popular text rental program at more than 900 college stores managed by Follett and significantly expanded its e-commerce and digital capabilities and product portfolio.
Prior to assuming his current role, Follett served as president of Follett Technology Solutions and International Group. Between 2000 and 2005, he served as executive vice president of Follett Library and School Group and Vice President of Technology for Follett Corporation.
In 1985, Follett founded Follett Software Company and served for the next 15 years as its president. Under his leadership, the business grew to become the nation’s largest provider of library automation solutions and services.