Follett Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Follett has 8 executives leading key functions including marketing, finance, information technology, human resources, and operations.

Driven by a commitment to innovation, Follett is dedicated to providing essential resources for libraries and educational institutions, shaping the future of learning through digital content and e-commerce solutions.

Leadership Roles at Follett

  • Chief Financial Officer - Lori Nortrup
  • Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer - Kevin Gacek
  • President - Ryan Petersen
  • President & Owner - Patricia Maloney
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Leann Fowler
  • Chief Information Officer - Mani Suri
  • Interim Chief Information Officer - Hejar Oncel
  • Chief People Officer - Lori Hensler
  • Lori Nortrup - Chief Financial Officer

    Lori Nortrup, the Chief Financial Officer at Follett, manages the company's financial operations, ensuring fiscal health and strategic resource allocation. Nortrup oversees all aspects of financial planning, accounting, and reporting, providing critical insights to guide business decisions. This executive function involves managing budgets, forecasting financial performance, and optimizing capital structure to support Follett's growth objectives in e-commerce and digital content. The Chief Financial Officer plays a pivotal role in evaluating investment opportunities, managing risk, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. By maintaining robust financial controls, Nortrup safeguards the company's assets and enhances shareholder value. Lori Nortrup's leadership ensures that Follett's financial strategies effectively support its mission as a single source for books and digital media for libraries and schools. The financial acumen provided by Nortrup is essential for navigating the competitive retail and educational markets.
    Lori Nortrup

    Kevin Gacek - Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer

    Kevin Gacek, the Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Follett, provides comprehensive financial oversight and strategic guidance. Gacek collaborates with the executive team to manage financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation, ensuring alignment with Follett's business objectives. This senior finance role involves analyzing financial performance, identifying opportunities for cost optimization, and supporting growth initiatives in e-commerce and digital content. The Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer plays a key part in managing financial risks and ensuring the company's fiscal stability. By contributing to strategic financial decisions, Gacek supports Follett's mission to be a single source for educational materials. Kevin Gacek's financial expertise is crucial for maintaining Follett's strong market position and driving its future success in serving libraries and schools.

    Ryan Petersen - President

    Ryan Petersen, the President at Follett, directs overall business operations and strategic planning, guiding the company's trajectory. Petersen oversees key functional areas, ensuring alignment with Follett's mission to provide essential resources to libraries, schools, and retailers. This leadership role involves driving growth initiatives, optimizing operational efficiency, and fostering innovation in e-commerce and digital content. The President works closely with the executive team to execute strategies that enhance Follett's market position and expand its service offerings, including text rental. By setting the vision and direction, Petersen ensures Follett remains a leading single source for educational materials. Ryan Petersen's leadership is fundamental to Follett's sustained success and its commitment to advancing learning through comprehensive resource solutions.

    Patricia Maloney - President & Owner

    Patricia Maloney, the President & Owner at Follett, holds ultimate responsibility for the company's strategic direction and overall performance. Maloney guides the executive team in executing Follett's mission to supply books, digital content, and multimedia resources to libraries, schools, and retailers. This ownership role involves making critical decisions that shape the company's future, particularly in areas of e-commerce, digital offerings, and text rental. The President & Owner ensures that Follett maintains its position as a premier single source for educational materials by fostering innovation and operational excellence. Patricia Maloney's leadership is pivotal in driving the company's growth and ensuring its continued impact on the educational landscape. The vision set forth by Maloney underpins Follett's commitment to serving its diverse customer base effectively.

    Leann Fowler - Chief Marketing Officer

    Leann Fowler, the Chief Marketing Officer at Follett, directs all marketing initiatives, aligning brand strategy with the company's mission to supply books and digital content to educational institutions and retailers. Fowler oversees the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns that enhance Follett's market presence and drive engagement with key customer segments. This leadership role involves managing advertising, public relations, and digital marketing efforts to promote Follett's extensive catalog of books, entertainment products, and digital offerings. By focusing on e-commerce and digital solutions, Fowler ensures Follett remains at the forefront of industry trends, adapting to evolving consumer needs. The Chief Marketing Officer's strategic vision supports the company's expansion into text rental services and reinforces its position as a single source for educational resources. Leann Fowler's expertise is critical in communicating Follett's value proposition to libraries, schools, and retailers nationwide.
    Leann Fowler

    Mani Suri - Chief Information Officer

    Mani Suri, the Chief Information Officer at Follett, directs the company's technology strategy and infrastructure, ensuring seamless digital operations. Suri oversees the implementation and management of IT systems that support Follett's e-commerce platforms, digital content delivery, and internal operations. This critical role involves safeguarding data security, optimizing network performance, and driving technological innovation across the organization. The Chief Information Officer is responsible for aligning technology initiatives with Follett's business objectives, particularly its focus on digital offerings and text rental services. By enhancing the technological capabilities, Suri ensures Follett can effectively serve libraries, schools, and retailers with cutting-edge solutions. Mani Suri's leadership in information technology is fundamental to Follett's ability to adapt and thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace, providing a robust foundation for all its services.

    Hejar Oncel - Interim Chief Information Officer

    Hejar Oncel, the Interim Chief Information Officer at Follett, provides critical leadership for the company's technology infrastructure and digital initiatives during a transitional period. Oncel focuses on maintaining the stability and efficiency of existing IT systems while supporting ongoing projects related to e-commerce and digital content delivery. This executive function involves overseeing technology operations, ensuring data integrity, and supporting the integration of new digital solutions. The Interim Chief Information Officer works closely with other departments to ensure technology aligns with Follett's strategic goals of serving libraries, schools, and retailers. Hejar Oncel's role is vital in ensuring continuity and driving progress in Follett's technological advancements, particularly in areas like text rental and digital media. The interim leadership provided by Oncel is instrumental in sustaining Follett's operational excellence.

    Lori Hensler - Chief People Officer

    Lori Hensler, the Chief People Officer at Follett, leads human resources strategy, focusing on talent management and organizational development. Hensler oversees all aspects of employee relations, recruitment, compensation, and benefits, fostering a positive and productive work environment. This executive function is dedicated to attracting, retaining, and developing the talent necessary to support Follett's mission of serving libraries and schools. The Chief People Officer plays a vital role in shaping Follett's culture, ensuring it aligns with the company's values and strategic goals, including its expansion into digital offerings and e-commerce. By championing employee engagement and professional growth, Hensler contributes directly to the company's operational effectiveness. Lori Hensler's leadership in human capital is essential for Follett's continued success and its ability to innovate in the educational resource market.

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Follett Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Follett?
    Follett is led by Lori Nortrup (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Kevin Gacek (Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer) and Ryan Petersen (President).
    Who is part of Follett’s executive team?
    The executive team of Follett includes leaders such as Lori Nortrup (Chief Financial Officer), Kevin Gacek (Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer), Ryan Petersen (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Follett have?
    Follett has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Follett’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Follett includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Senior VP, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, President, President & Owner, Chief Marketing Officer.