Vernier Science Education named Jill Hedrick as CEO.
She is taking over from the retiring John Wheeler, who has led the company since 2015. Wheeler will remain an adviser to the company.
Vernier makes data collection and analysis tools used by teachers in STEM education. The Beaverton-based company has more than 100 employees and in 2022 had revenue of $49 million. The company was founded by David and Christine Vernier when David was a physics teacher in Hillsboro.
Hedrick has spent her career in tech and tech education. She was most recently chief revenue officer at Discovery Education and has also held executive roles at Edmentum/Apex Learning, Turnitun and NWEA.
“What stood out to me about Vernier Science Education is its longstanding history in serving science educators worldwide,” said Hedrick in a written statement. “My arrival to the company is in support of the continuation of this journey and I am honored to join the team. The roots of Vernier Science Education extend deep into the communities it serves, and as we continue to grow, keeping the legacy of providing for educators, employees and the community at large will be a top priority of mine.”
Hedrick joins the company as it transitions its ownership structure to a perpetual purpose trust. This is an ownership model used by several Oregon companies that is meant to remove uncertainty around succession planning and ensure that a company’s values and mission is aligned with ownership.
Hedrick is only the third CEO in the company’s more than 40-year history.
“While Jill’s successful education career spans more than a decade, her passion for education stems from her growing up with a father who was an educator,” said Wheeler in a written statement. “Our organization's robust foundation, enriched culture, and values ingrained by the Perpetual Purpose Trust will be strengthened under Jill’s steadfast leadership.”
