A resident of Clinton, North Carolina, Donald Kent Sutton has more than 30 years’ experience in the high school yearbook printing industry. Since 2016, Donald Kent Sutton has served as a publications specialist for Balfour & Co., which manufactures and distributes yearbooks and other graduation-related products. He educates yearbook staff members in elements of scholastic journalism, such as copywriting, graphic design, photography, and sales and marketing. At Balfour, he is responsible for between $400,000 and $500,000 in sales in a territory comprised of 20 to 45 schools.

Mr. Sutton entered his field in 1989 as a publications specialist for another yearbook publisher, Herff Jones. Serving an eastern North Carolina territory of up to 60 schools, he eventually achieved sales volumes of over $1 million, earning him a place in the company hall of fame and winning numerous awards as a national sales leader. Later promoted to area sales manager of the scholastic division, he worked at Herff Jones for 20 years before moving to Balfour.

In addition, Mr. Sutton was the owner of the Parkside Sports Grille in Newton Grove, North Carolina, where he had sales of more than $450,000 during his first year in business. He handled all aspects of the business, from menu design and training to food preparation and customer service.

Mr. Sutton graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in journalism and marketing. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, boating, swimming, and Major League Baseball.

Donald Kent Sutton