Personnel
Napack Departs Wiley
Effective immediately, president and ceo Brian Napack has left the company, after six years as its leader. Matthew Kissner takes over as interim ceo. Kissner was previously group executive and board chair, and acted as interim ceo from May to December 2017. Board chair Jesse Wiley said in the announcement, “The Board thanks Brian for his six years of contributions and hard work. He and Wiley’s leadership team led the Company during a period of rapid change and market disruption including the pandemic. As a result, Wiley is now a more focused company poised for great success.” The company has had […]
Retired Founder Reisman Returns As Indigo CEO
Following the abrupt resignation of CEO Peter Ruis in early September, accompanied by the departure of company veteran and president Andrea Limbardi for another job, Indigo Books & Music’s recently-retired founder Heather Reisman has returned to the company as CEO. She has also rejoined the board, which she previously chaired. Reisman stepped down as CEO a year ago, and retired from the board in late August. CFO Craig Loudon, who has been overseeing day-to-day operations along with general counsel Damien Liddle, has been named chief operating officer, in addition to his finance duties. Reisman says in the announcement: “There is […]
Murphy to Leave Harper; Stehlik to Add Oversight of Children’s Division
President and publisher of Harper Children’s Suzanne Murphy “will be leaving the company to pursue other interests” at the end of September, the company announced. President and publisher for the Morrow Group Liate Stehlik will take on additional responsibilities, serving as president and publisher for Harper Children’s as well. Murphy, who joined the company in 2015, says in the announcement, “It has been an honor to work with our amazingly talented authors and illustrators, my brilliant, creative, and passionate teams across the Children’s division, and valued colleagues throughout the company. It also has been a highlight of my career in […]
Indigo’s New CEO Resigns
In a year of notable and often unexplained departures, Indigo Books’ new ceo Peter Ruis is the latest to depart abruptly: The company announced his apparent immediate resignation on Thursday. Ruis “has agreed to serve Indigo as a consultant for the next two months to support a smooth transition in leadership.” But the transition has been anything but smooth. Ruis joined the company in early 2021, and moved up to ceo just under a year ago. Longtime ceo and board chair (as well as founder and controlling owner) Heather Reisman retired from the company just about two weeks ago. And […]
Suzanne Herz to Leave PRH; Anchor to be Phased Out
Suzanne Herz, evp, publisher of Vintage/Anchor has taken the company’s VSO package and will leave on December 15. President and publisher of Knopf Doubleday Group Maya Mavjee writes in the announcement that Herz will continue to work with PRH in “an external, consulting role as John Grisham’s longtime publisher overseeing his frontlist and backlist in concert with John’s Doubleday team.” Hertz has been with the company for 30 years, holding roles including publicist, publicity director, marketing director, associate publisher, and publisher. Mavjee notes, “Over the course of her exemplary three decades (and counting) in the business, she has orchestrated award-winning […]