Vern has spent 40 years in the development profession. After receiving his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Kansas State University in 1978 & 1979, he began coaching and working in athletic development at Fort Hays State University as the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach.
In 1987 he joined the athletic staff at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA as Associate Athletic Director.
In 1989 he moved to Pittsburgh, PA and began working for the University of Pittsburgh as Director of Development for the School of Engineering.
In 1991 he joined the Iowa State University Foundation as Executive Director of Development for the College of Engineering and served a leadership role in their “Partnership for Prominence” and “Campaign Destiny” efforts.
In 1997 Vern join the Kansas State University Foundation as Vice President for Major Gift Programs to build the development program and provide leadership for the “Changing Lives” campaign.
In 2005 Vern joined the Hartsook Companies consulting firm as their Senior Vice President.
In 2007 Vern joined Manhattan Christian College where he served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement and develop an intercollegiate baseball program.
In 2013 he began working for the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation as President & CEO—which has increased its asset base from $35 million to $107 million, community grants from $1 to $5 million and affiliate community foundations from two to thirteen in the last 6 years.
He continues his consulting efforts, as requested, with non-profits as President of The Henricks Group.
He supports community needs through his own Make A Difference Foundation he founded.
Vern is currently Past President of the Manhattan Rotary Club and District 5710 Governor Nominee, Co-Chair of the Manhattan Region Reimagined Quality of Place effort, Thrivent Financial Kansas-Missouri board member, and board President of Emmaus University of Haiti in Cap Hatian, Haiti.