Vernon announces CEO promotion

The Vernon Company recently announced Chris Vernon, Co-CEO of The Vernon Company, has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman effective July 1.

Vernon will continue to serve as President and manage daily business operations across all Vernon operating divisions. William F. (Bill) Vernon will continue as chairman.

Chris Vernon has been with the company since 1987 and has held various responsibilities in sales and marketing. He was appointed to co-CEO in 2014 and president and chief operating officer in 1999.

He is a graduate of Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, Ill., and has an undergraduate degree in political science and a master’s degree in business administration (Kellogg Graduate School of Management) from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He worked for Harris/Lanier Corporation and NCR Corporation in the 1980s prior to joining Vernon.

“This is another step in our succession planning and leadership transition process that has been occurring the past several decades,” Bill Vernon said. “Chris has proven himself to be an effective leader in our business, our industry and within the community during both good and difficult business cycles. He has also built an outstanding executive and administrative team to whom we are deeply indebted. We are very proud of the success and growth of our businesses in the promotional product and sign graphics markets.”