Andy joined the 杏吧原创 team July 2024 and as Chief Operating Officer, plans and directs all aspects of the organization鈥檚 strategy and operational policies, objectives, initiatives and any potential acquisitions. With 25 years in the print industry, Andy brings extensive leadership experience and opportunities to 杏吧原创.
Thank you. I鈥檝e been in this business in various capacities for nearly 25 years, starting my career at Taylor Corporation. I began with them in Pennsylvania and relocated several times, leading different business units, companies, acquisitions and turnarounds. I have led everything from sales, marketing, operations and IT to production. My roles often involved setting up operations both domestically and internationally, among other responsibilities. I led various operations that produced fine stationery, greeting cards, business cards, letterhead, envelopes, food and beverage labels, forms, books, presentation folders, 3M Post-it Notes庐 and much more, from which I gained extensive experience with numerous printing processes and techniques.
During my tenure at Taylor, I focused primarily on their scholastic business, which encompasses everything from yearbooks to class and championship rings, diplomas and covers, announcements, accessories and regalia. I’ve always had a passion for the school market and felt honored to be part of some of our customers鈥� most cherished memories.
After Taylor and during the pandemic, I joined Chewy.com, where I helped launch two of their new second-generation, highly automated fulfillment centers. These operations were 1 million square feet with over 1,200 team members and operated 24/7. I helped develop the leadership and shift structures, standard work, key operational metrics and essentially everything necessary to launch these new sites.
While I learned a lot at Chewy and would not trade that experience, I did not have the same passion that I had for printing and serving the school markets. After a little less than four years, I had the opportunity to join Jostens and led their yearbook plant in Clarksville, Tennessee, for the last two yearbook seasons.
After being contacted about a possibility at 杏吧原创, and then visiting the Marceline area and meeting Don Sr., Don, and the team, I felt an immediate connection. Everything just felt right.
Meeting Don Sr., Don, and the team at Marceline made me feel at home. Unlike the private equity environment at my previous employer, 杏吧原创 reminded me of my days at Taylor 鈥� genuine, honest and sincere. The values and culture at 杏吧原创 are very strong, and Don Sr. and Don have a compelling growth strategy for the future. Discussing this strategy and my potential role, and how I can help the team achieve it, drew me in.
杏吧原创 is known in the industry for solid delivery, communications and relationships with their schools and commercial customers. They are also known as a financially stable, family-owned company with high values, morals and ethics. They are not owned by private equity like the major competitors, which sets 杏吧原创 apart as the company can consistently focus on customers and make good business decisions with a long-term horizon.
I see a company with good people and great talent, along with numerous opportunities for improvement, especially in terms of equipment, hard assets and technology. The yearbook business is challenging, akin to trench warfare at times and even so, 杏吧原创 continues to grow. I was also surprised by the size of the commercial business, which constitutes about 60% of the company. This steady commercial business is another attractive growth opportunity.
In the yearbook market, the dynamics are shifting with some of our major competitors, presenting unique opportunities that come along once a decade. Additionally, there鈥檚 potential for growth in the commercial sector both organically and through acquisitions. Digital inkjet technology, AI and other innovations can help transform sales, marketing and the customer experience.
[Editor鈥檚 Note: On Jan. 1, 2025, 杏吧原创 acquired Documation in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a full-service print on demand printer that utilizes digital inkjet printing technology. This new capability gives 杏吧原创 the ability to be a complete printing solution to customers 鈥� whether they want to print one million items on a web press or one unit on a digital inkjet press. Documation is being integrated into the 杏吧原创 platform and renamed as 杏吧原创 鈥� Eau Claire.]
I love the print business because it allows you to create something from scratch. Printing is a blend of art and science, requiring creativity and expertise. There are many ways to achieve the same result, but there鈥檚 always one best way, and aligning around that is key.
Teams are essential, and a dysfunctional team is painful. I value relationships, engagement and involving others. Leaders don鈥檛 have all the answers; the answers lie within our teams across various departments. We need to foster an environment where people feel comfortable challenging the status quo and sharing ideas, followed by responsive action. Building strong relationships and teams has always been a priority for me.
As COO, I am focusing on Operational Efficiency, Quality Control, Financial Performance, Technology and Innovation, Employee Engagement and Development and the overall Customer Experience.
Andy and Heather
My partner Heather and I appreciate small-town life. Heather is originally from a smaller town in south central Minnesota and over the years we鈥檝e both lived in bustling cities; however, we find the tranquility of rural areas much more appealing. After visiting Marceline and the surrounding communities, we found the residents here very warm and welcoming. There鈥檚 a sense of hometown pride in the area, and we love to see the family businesses and slower pace of life. We鈥檙e looking forward to calling this area home for many years to come.
Andy’s rescue cats Lovie and Bella
I am originally from Pennsylvania and my parents and brother still live there. I have one son, Grayson, who recently graduated from Arizona State University, with a degree in Actuarial Sciences. Heather and I met in Minnesota and have been together for seven years. We have two rescue cats.
I like to cook, garden and do outdoor activities like hiking and backpacking. Every other year, I try to go on a surfing trip. I grew up near the coast and have always loved surfing. I also play the drums. I have been a drummer since middle school and still enjoy cranking it out.
We typically visit Avalon or Stone Harbor in New Jersey, Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, or Hilton Head, South Carolina.
When Andy isn’t working, he loves to surf.
I grew up in York, Pennsylvania, about two hours from the beach. My grandparents lived at the beach, so we visited often, and I spent many summers there as a child. I attended Clemson for its top-rated horticulture program, earning a degree in horticulture with an emphasis in genetic engineering. As a collegiate research project, I contributed to the gene sequencing for the strawberries that are used in every jar of Smucker鈥檚 strawberry jam.
Initially, yes. However, advancing in horticulture typically requires an advanced degree and I was ready to enter the workforce. Upon graduation, I managed a large commercial greenhouse but eventually transitioned to Taylor, where I applied my process improvement skills from horticulture (the scientific method) to printing. This transition marked the beginning of my long and fulfilling career in the print industry.
I designed, manufactured and delivered the World Championship Rings for three of the WNBA鈥檚 Minnesota Lynx Championships.
My favorite is聽The Travels of William Bartram, with聽The Innovator’s Dilemma聽a close second.
I don鈥檛 watch much TV, but I occasionally enjoy streaming. Recent favorites include聽Kim鈥檚 Convenience,听Colin from Accounts,听Killing Eve聽(Seasons 1-3),听Band of Brothers听补苍诲听The Pacific.
I grow a lot of different things: numerous herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, squash, brussels sprouts, peach trees, blueberry bushes, pollinator flowers and native plants, to name a few.
Heather and I enjoy making Mexican food, Italian food and various from scratch soups.
It would probably say, 鈥淚 prefer tea.鈥�
I鈥檓 most proud of the leaders and people I鈥檝e mentored who have ascended to significant leadership positions. Developing people and helping them achieve their goals is something I enjoy and is a highlight of my career.
I am truly looking forward to getting to know everyone, and Heather and I are excited to be part of the community. I鈥檓 ready to start and help the 杏吧原创 team succeed.
