John W. Scherer
Encyclopedia
John W. Scherer is well known for being the "face" for Video Professor
, as he stars in all of the infomercials for Video Professor's products.
, Illinois
, United States
, North America
. He was raised in Geneva, Illinois
, where he later graduated from high school.
After graduating from high school, Scherer went on to earn his first degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
and moved to Colorado
in 1972.
In 1985, Scherer "helped launch a company that sold PCs to small dealers".
In 1987, Scherer founded Video Professor
, a computer based tutorial company.
, who founded Naperville
, Illinois
in the 19th century.
John W. Scherer makes an appearance in a commercial for ESPN's Sportsnation TV show as "VideoPro45." Most recently Scherer had a "cameo" appearance on CNBC in a review of the new iPad by David Pogue.
Video Professor also said that John W. Scherer has donated computers and learning software to a number of charitable organizations. According to the company, his charitable missions include participation in the Chickasaw Nation Computer Literacy Project, an initiative to improve computer literacy among Native Americans, as well as the Salvation Army
Giving Tree and the United States Peace Corps
. Company employees also support the Jefferson County Action Center through food and clothing drives.
The company was awarded the USPS "Outstanding Business Achievement" Award in 2009. Video Professor and John W. Scherer were also awarded the "Freedom Team Salute" presented by the Chief of Staff of the United States Army and the Secretary of the Army for on-going support of computer literacy training for military veterans.
John W. Scherer is also a member of the United States Navy "Leaders to Sea" program, with embarks aboard the Guided Missile Cruiser USS Lake Champlain and Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz.
Scherer's image is no longer being used by the new owners of Video Professor on its website.
In September 2007, Video Professor and John Scherer filed a lawsuit against 100 anonymous posters of critical reviews, stating their belief that the negative reviews were the result of a competitor's efforts to damage Video Professor's reputation. In 2006 Video Professor was involved in discussions with Denver Better Business Bureau
with regard to unclear provisions in Video Professor's ad and sales processes. These discussions resulted in membership for Video Professor with the BBB.
Video Professor currently has an "F Rating" status with the Denver-Boulder Better Business Bureau.
Video Professor
Video Professor, Inc. is a U.S. company that develops, manufacturers and offers tutorials for a variety of computer-related subjects, such as learning to use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Windows, and eBay. Video Professor was founded in 1987 by John W. Scherer and is located in Lakewood, Colorado. ...
, as he stars in all of the infomercials for Video Professor's products.
Biography
Scherer was born in St. CharlesSt. Charles, Illinois
St. Charles is a Chicago suburb in Kane and DuPage counties of Illinois, United States, and is roughly west of Chicago on Illinois Route 64. According to a 2004 census estimate, the city has a total population of 32,134. The official city slogan is Pride of the Fox, after the Fox River that runs...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. He was raised in Geneva, Illinois
Geneva, Illinois
Geneva is the county seat of Kane County, Illinois. It is located on the western fringe of the Chicago suburbs. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 26,652. Geneva is part of a tri-city area, along with St. Charles and Batavia...
, where he later graduated from high school.
After graduating from high school, Scherer went on to earn his first degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater is part of the University of Wisconsin System, located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It became Wisconsin's second public college on April 21, 1868 when it opened its doors to 39 students taught by nine faculty members...
and moved to Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
in 1972.
In 1985, Scherer "helped launch a company that sold PCs to small dealers".
In 1987, Scherer founded Video Professor
Video Professor
Video Professor, Inc. is a U.S. company that develops, manufacturers and offers tutorials for a variety of computer-related subjects, such as learning to use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Windows, and eBay. Video Professor was founded in 1987 by John W. Scherer and is located in Lakewood, Colorado. ...
, a computer based tutorial company.
Genealogy
John W. Scherer is a descendant of John and Joseph NaperJoseph Naper
Joseph Naper was a shipbuilder, businessman, politician, and town founder.Born in Bennington, Vermont, Naper traveled with his parents during his youth to Ashtabula, Ohio, where he helped his father, who was a ship builder. The Naper ships plied the Great Lakes with Fort Dearborn on Lake Michigan...
, who founded Naperville
Naperville, Illinois
Naperville is a city in DuPage and Will Counties in Illinois in the United States, voted the second best place to live in the United States by Money Magazine in 2006. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 141,853. It is the fifth largest city in the state, behind Chicago,...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
in the 19th century.
In the News and the Community
Video Professor and John W. Scherer have also been spotlighted on television network news programs like ABC’s World News Now and FOX & Friends. According to Scherer, his employees and the company in general, have spent a lot of time and resources helping organizations in and around the community.John W. Scherer makes an appearance in a commercial for ESPN's Sportsnation TV show as "VideoPro45." Most recently Scherer had a "cameo" appearance on CNBC in a review of the new iPad by David Pogue.
Video Professor also said that John W. Scherer has donated computers and learning software to a number of charitable organizations. According to the company, his charitable missions include participation in the Chickasaw Nation Computer Literacy Project, an initiative to improve computer literacy among Native Americans, as well as the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
Giving Tree and the United States Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
. Company employees also support the Jefferson County Action Center through food and clothing drives.
The company was awarded the USPS "Outstanding Business Achievement" Award in 2009. Video Professor and John W. Scherer were also awarded the "Freedom Team Salute" presented by the Chief of Staff of the United States Army and the Secretary of the Army for on-going support of computer literacy training for military veterans.
John W. Scherer is also a member of the United States Navy "Leaders to Sea" program, with embarks aboard the Guided Missile Cruiser USS Lake Champlain and Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz.
Scherer's image is no longer being used by the new owners of Video Professor on its website.
Lawsuit
Video Professor is the subject of many complaints regarding their misleading commercials. The ads sell "free" lessons, but the fine print states that if you do not return the 3rd cd within 10 days you will be charged an amount on your credit card. Apparently, Video Professor decided that it would not change their policy.In September 2007, Video Professor and John Scherer filed a lawsuit against 100 anonymous posters of critical reviews, stating their belief that the negative reviews were the result of a competitor's efforts to damage Video Professor's reputation. In 2006 Video Professor was involved in discussions with Denver Better Business Bureau
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau , founded in 1912, is a corporation consisting of several private business franchises of local BBB organizations based in the United States and Canada, which work through their parent corporation, the Council of Better Business Bureaus .The Better Business Bureau, through...
with regard to unclear provisions in Video Professor's ad and sales processes. These discussions resulted in membership for Video Professor with the BBB.
Video Professor currently has an "F Rating" status with the Denver-Boulder Better Business Bureau.