February 6, 2020
Herff Jones Adds Strategy And Transformation Leader Andrew Checketts To Executive Lineup
Vice President Role is Latest Appointment to the Company’s Senior Management Team
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 5, 2020 — Herff Jones, a division of Varsity Brands and the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students, has announced the addition of Andrew Checketts to its executive leadership team as Vice President of Strategy and Transformation. Checketts will report to Herff Jones President Steve Down, who joined the company in October 2019.
Checketts most recently served in a senior consulting role at Bain and Company, one of the top global management consulting firms. He will assume responsibilities for the company’s ongoing strategic planning process, including strategy development and the identification of new transformational initiatives in collaboration with other top leaders within the organization.
“As we celebrate Herff Jones’ 100th anniversary, we are excited to bring someone of Andrew’s caliber into the leadership team to help forge a path into our next 100 years of elevating student experiences, ensuring it’s just as successful as the last,” said Down. “Leveraging his experience at one of the top three global strategy consulting firms as well as his demonstrated analytical skillset, Andrew will be well-poised to provide rigor surrounding project management and change as we look to grow and aggressively expand our market share.”
Prior to moving into the consultancy industry, Checketts held several account services and analyst roles with ESPN based out the New York office. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University and MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Varsity Brands is a portfolio company of Bain Capital Private Equity.
ABOUT HERFF JONES
Indianapolis-based Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. A division of Varsity Brands, Herff Jones’ products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, yearbooks, diplomas, frames and announcements as well as motivation and recognition programs. Focused on building long-term relationships through a nationwide network of over 2,000 employees and sales partners, the professionals at Herff Jones have been helping elevate the student experience throughout the lifelong journey of education for more than 100 years. For more information about Herff Jones or Varsity Brands, please visit www.herffjones.com or www.varsitybrands.com.
ABOUT VARSITY BRANDS
With a mission to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for young people, Varsity Brands elevates the student experience, promotes participation and celebrates achievement through three unique but interrelated businesses: BSN SPORTS; Varsity Spirit; and Herff Jones. Together, these businesses promote personal, school and community pride through their customizable products and programs to elementary and middle schools, high schools, and colleges and universities, as well as church organizations, professional and collegiate sports teams and corporations. Through its 9,000 dedicated employees and independent representatives, Varsity Brands reaches its individual and institutional customers each year via e-commerce sites, catalogs, telesales, and direct sales channels.