John Shadden, president of Starkey Printing Company in Chattanooga, was named by the Printing Industry Association of the South, Inc. (PIAS) as their Person of the Year. This honor was bestowed at a banquet held during the PIAS Annual Convention at the Hilton SanDestin Beach Resort in Destin, Fla.
John Shadden grew up in Chickamauga, Ga., where his parents taught him the importance of hard work, integrity and loving God and others. He graduated from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in 1980 and married his wife, Sandy, the same year. Following college, he served for a brief time as a hospital pharmacist before spending five years as a sales representative with Bristol Labs, a division of Bristol Myers.
In 1985, his neighbor bought Starkey Printing Company in Chattanooga, that was founded in 1934. He was hired as the sales manager. He noted that "It was a crazy move for a pharmacist to become a printer, but after much prayer , he took the job on a promise and a handshake that someday, he would have the opportunity to own the company." He worked hard and in 2006, he was able to buy out his two partners.
It was stated, "As owner, John instilled the same core values that he had learned growing up - Honesty, Integrity, Excellence and a “Customer First” attitude. His passion as a servant leader has always been to take care of his employees and to give back to the community. He recently started a chaplaincy program for his employees to voluntarily use for any specific needs they have. The company gives back to the community with many generous in kind services donated each year to non profit organizations in the Chattanooga and North Georgia area. John was named the Chattanooga area Philanthropist of the Year in 2012."
Mr. Shadden began serving on the PIAS Board of Directors in 2006. He moved up into the Executive Committee in 2008, and served as chairman of the Board from 2011 to 2012.
As well as serving the Printing Industry Association Board of Directors, he has donated his time serving on many boards such as: STARS -Students Taking a Right Stand, First Things First, Friends of the Chickamauga – Chattanooga National Park, Chamber of Commerce, Capital Bank Board, Scenic Land School , Silverdale Baptist Academy , Gordon Lee Alumni Board and Hope and Help International, a Mission to South Asia.
In addition to being honored in 2012 as Philanthropist of the Year, Mr. Shadden was honored as the 1990 Walker County Georgia Citizen of the Year, the 1999 Chattanooga Family of the Year, the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award from Gordon Lee High School and in 2017, he was honored by Hope and Help International for 12 years of service and his six years of service as chairman of the Board. In 2001, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce named Starkey Printing Company – Small Business of the Year.
Mr. Shadden is very active in his church – Silverdale Baptist. He has served in many capacities in the past but presently is serving as a deacon and a Small Group leader to young couples with his wife of 36 years. His generous giving has affected many people.
It was stated, "As busy as he is, John has always managed to put his wife, Sandy and children , Nick and Catie first before any business or community responsibilities. He loves his family and is a great example of what a godly husband and father is. He enjoys traveling, University of Tennessee football, Atlanta Braves Baseball and being on the water in his boat, properly named Wet Ink."
The PIAS Person of the Year is chosen for service to the printing industry, community and betterment of the graphic arts industry as a whole.
PIAS is a graphic arts trade association representing more than 400 member companies in their seven state region: Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia.