Checkerboard
Jobs
Since its inception, Checkerboard has benefited from the commitment and talents of exceptional people. In return, Checkerboard employees have created an environment of creativity, technological innovation, manufacturing excellence and collaboration which has contributed to the company's outstanding growth.
Our History
Founded in 1990, Checkerboard Ltd., a family owned and operated business, is among the top 10 social stationery printing companies in the nation with over 5,000 dealers of Checkerboard's products throughout the globe. Checkerboard designs and manufactures its own line of customized products including wedding and commitment ceremony invitations and accessories, bar and bat mitzvah invitations, note cards and other personal stationery, birth announcements, moving announcements, party and shower invitations and business stationery. Some famous customers who have purchased from Checkerboard include Bob Hope, Jim Carrey, Tyra Banks, McNeil Leher Report, George Steinbrenner and Jack Nicklaus to name only a few. To date, Checkerboard has won 7 Louie Awards given by the Greeting Card Association. This prestigious award is named after Luis Prang who is considered to be the father of the American Christmas Card.
Checkerboard's use of technology exceeds any in the industry. Our patented proofing engine, developed inhouse by our own software engineers, not only provides for an instant proof of an invitation online, but it streamlines our internal operations resulting in a faster turn around for customers, and our operational systems keep management in touch with all major aspects of company operations.
Our Values
The essence and values of Checkerboard talk to who we are and what we believe. Our values serve as our guide for our actions and ultimately form the basis for our culture.
- Achieve operational excellence by focusing on the details in every aspect of our business.
- Continually reinvent ourselves; inspire originality and innovation.
- Do the right thing by our customers, partners, suppliers, investors, community and each other.
- Cultivate an exceptional workplace: encourage mutual support, collaboration, commitment, and achievement.
Checkerboard in the Community
- Our Commitment to the Environment
We take recycling seriously and take extra measures to minimize any impact on the environment. We adhere to a strict in-plant recycling program, donating paper trimmings and discontinued paper stock to charity, and recycling office/manufacturing waste paper. The only thing that we spill into the environment is our genuine concern for it. - Our Commitment to Philanthropy
Our commitment to community extends beyond our backyard. Over the years we have built strong relationships with several national organizations including Junior Achievement and The American Red Cross. We've even created special cards for the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, an organization that helps to support aging gentiles who aided in the salvation of Jews during WWII, as well as Alzheimer's Association, among other notable charities. The cards are a creative way for the organization to raise funds while providing their donors with a useful service. We look forward to continuing to expand our charitable partner relationships. - Our Commitment to Diversity
We believe that diversity and inclusion are key contributors to our environment of creativity, innovation and originality. Creating a diverse and inclusive environment goes beyond ensuring that we do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or covered veteran status. We believe that our commitment to diversity is a competitive advantage that allows our employees to contribute at their highest level and supports us in better serving our customers. - Our Commitment to our Community
We are proud citizens of the Worcester, Massachusetts community. Checkerboard has increased its employment size by 40% in the last four years in Worcester and has twice had staff members honored with a "40 under 40" award by the Worcester Business Journal.
Employee Profiles
Adam Augusta
A Software Engineer in our Information Technology Department, Adam joined Checkerboard part-time seven years ago, while a student at the Mass Academy of Math and Science. Adam then furthered his studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, continuing to work at Checkerboard part-time during the school year and full-time during the summers, until he graduated last January with a BS, with highest distinction, in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.
After graduation, Adam joined Checkerboard full-time and has primary responsibility for our typesetting and proofing systems in addition to maintaining and developing internal applications and our websites. Adam mentions Checkerboard's environment as his reason for staying for seven years and coming on full-time after graduation. He feels that he can exercise a lot of creativity in his job to help move the company forward. While his school friends at similar levels in other companies tend to be given a specification as their assignment, he feels he is given much more independence to solve problems and to collaborate with others. Adam's involvement in developing our patented proofing engine is one example that he notes of being given the latitude to not only solve problems, but also to create unique opportunity and competitive advantage for the company.
When not working, Adam enjoys independent films, the study of philosophy and computational neuroscience, fine dining, armchair politics, playing with his pets and nature walks.
John Nimako
Having joined Checkerboard in October of 2000 as a Warehouse Associate, John Nimako has risen in the ranks to Warehouse and Catalogue Supervisor managing the production of all of our new albums and maintaining and organizing our warehouse. John found Checkerboard with a little providence after immigrating to the area from Ghana. He saw the building on his way to church and decided to take a chance and apply for a job. His hunch paid off and John has been a valuable and well loved addition to the Checkerboard community ever since. John's ambitions and desire to always be a part of the winning team have kept him at Checkerboard, a company he feels is at the top of their industry with a winning spirit that matches his own. Outside of Checkerboard you can find John at the nightclub, except for Sundays when he takes a break for church.
Laura Niemi
A designer in our Art Department, Laura joined Checkerboard three years ago, fresh out of Clark University. At Clark, Laura received a B.A. degree with high honors in Fine Arts, with a concentration in Oil Painting.
Laura's responsibilities include developing graphic illustrations for a variety of our card and invitation products. She, along with her colleagues in the Art Department, prepares the designs from mock-up stage all the way through to final production stage. Along with the illustration design, Laura develops graphics for our website and our print ads. Laura notes that she loves the respect for good design at Checkerboard and the fact that the artists are supported in their efforts to be artistically innovative.
When not working, Laura enjoys writing and crafts projects, studying psychology and art history, music and literature from the 20's, listening to female-fronted punk bands, and playing with her cat, William.
Job Opportunities
Checkerboard has no open positions at this time.