Emerging Technology & Systems: Track 5

John Edwards
President, Edwards Brothers

John Edwards, President and Chief Operating Officer of Edwards Brothers, is the 4th generation of the Edwards family to lead the 113 year old book manufacturing firm, which employs nearly 800 people in three book manufacturing facilities and four digital printing sites.

After completing his studies at the University of Michigan he joined Edwards Brothers on a full-time basis. His first assignment was as a sales representative in Washington, D.C. Three years later he relocated to Chicago as a regional sales manager. Next, he returned to Ann Arbor to assume duties as a first-line supervisor in the bindery and later moved into general management as the manager of the prepress and pressroom.

From there he was sent to the firm’s Lillington, N.C. operation as plant manager with the exciting assignment to build a second plant in North Carolina, which he completed in 1993.

He returned to Ann Arbor in 1995 as vice president of sales and marketing, a position he held until January 1, 1998, when he became President & COO. He became CEO on Jan 1, 2001.

John serves on the Board of Directors for Cleary University, The Book Manufacturing Institute and The Washtenaw Literacy Council. He is married to Susan (an attorney) and they have two daughters and one son.