Randy Orr to Retire This Month After Almost 45 Years on NFHS Staff

Randy Orr, the longest-tenured staff member in the history of the NFHS, is retiring January 31 after an amazing 44 years and nine months. He started his career with the NFHS on May 1, 1979, when the organization opened its new office in Kansas City, Missouri, and was among those who moved when the office relocated to Indianapolis on February 1, 2000.

Orr was hired in 1979 to operate one of the presses in the NFHS’ cutting-edge in-house printing operation. He ran the sheet-fed press along with other duties on the folder and binder for 16 years before becoming head of the in-house printing operation in 1995.

With one sheet-fed press and one web press, along with a cutter, folder, binder and other complementary equipment, Orr and a staff of six to eight individuals operated what became the largest in-plant printing operation and the largest printer and distributor of athletic-related publications in the United States.

Orr made the move to Indianapolis in 2000 to serve as manager of printing services, and he was in charge of working with outside printers to fulfill the organization’s printing needs, which, at the time of the move to Indianapolis exceeded 8 million copies of publications and other materials annually.

During his 24 years in Indianapolis as manager of printing services, Orr continually searched for the best printing, shipping and mailing options for the NFHS. In addition to working with a number of printers on an ongoing basis, Orr worked with a local fulfillment company in the distribution of publications on a timely basis. He also worked with NFHS member state associations through the years to ensure timely delivery of publications.

With the decline in printed materials over the years, Orr added the duties of mailroom and warehouse supervisor in 2015 and continued in both roles until his retirement.

“The printing and distribution of rules publications has been one of the main tasks and chief sources of revenue for the NFHS for many years, and Randy has played a major role in the success of NFHS rules publications for almost 45 years,” said Bruce Howard, NFHS director of publications and communications. “He assisted with the beginning of the NFHS’ venture into printing in Kansas City in 1979, and he played a major role in 2000 with the transition from in-house printing to working with outside vendors.

“Having worked alongside Randy for most of those years in Kansas City and for 24 years in Indianapolis, his loyalty and dedication to quality printed materials was unmatched. His knowledge of the printing industry from the years in Kansas City was crucial as we began to rely on other printers in Indianapolis. He will be missed – both from a professional and personal friendship standpoint.”

Prior to joining the NFHS in 1979, Orr worked at Clark Printing in Kansas City for seven years, moving from a press helper to the position of first pressman by the time of his departure. During his time at Clark Printing, Orr worked on the first press in the United States with an ultraviolet dryer for ink.

Orr graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, in 1970, after a life of constant movement throughout the world as a result of his father’s job with Trans World Airlines (TWA). Although Kansas City eventually became home, Orr lived in Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia for a number of years prior to high school. In the same year he started at the NFHS, Orr earned his private pilot’s license.

Orr and his wife, Julie, have one adult child and three grandchildren and will be moving back to Kansas City in retirement.