Follett Corporation President and CEO Announces Retirement

RIVER GROVE, Ill., Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Chuck Follett, President and CEO of Follett Corporation, today announced his decision to retire after 38 years of service with the company.  Follett is the leading operator of college bookstores and a major distributor of physical and digital educational materials and services to primary, secondary and university level institutions. 

Commenting on his decision, Mr. Follett said, "Today Follett Corporation is well positioned to continue to build on its 138-year track record of innovation and success in education. The company is strong both financially and operationally, and our businesses hold leading positions in every market we serve.  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 Follett Board of Directors has initiated a search for Mr. Follett's successor.  In the interim, Mr. Follett will remain the company's President and CEO until a successor is identified.

Mr. Follett's contributions to the company have created a lasting legacy, says Follett Corporation Chairman Alison O'Hara. "We are fortunate to have had Chuck as a leader and innovator over his nearly four decades with the company," Ms. O'Hara said. "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, Mr. 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, Mr. 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, Mr. 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. 

Mr. Follett has been a strong advocate of the importance of librarians and media specialists, and in 2010 launched the Follett Challenge, a $100,000 competition to award and promote library programs that best make use of technology to drive student literacy and learning.  He is a past recipient of the Crystal Apple award from the American Association of School Librarians for his leadership and significant contribution to school libraries. 

About Follett

Follett Corporation is a $2.7 billion, privately held company that provides products, services and solutions to the educational marketplace. Follett Corporation was founded in 1873, and today is headquartered in River Grove, Illinois.

SOURCE Follett Corporation