People 6/6

The National Book Foundation has elected three new board members, bringing the board to 23 total members: Jonathan Karp, president and ceo, Simon & Schuster; Peggy Koenig, chair emeritus, Abry Partners; and Jahm Najafi, founder and ceo, The Najafi Companies.

Ben Hyman will join as editorial director on July 8, reporting to Jordan Pavlin.

John Leary, executive director field sales, is leaving on June 7 after 23 years with the company. This follows a reorganization of the sales team.

On Friday, June 7 from 1:00 PM ET to 1:45, ReadingGroupGuides.com will host its annual, virtual Book Group Speed Dating Event. Representatives from six publishers will share selections from their lists to give booksellers, librarians and book group leaders a look at new and upcoming titles that book groups will want to know about — and discuss. Advance signup is required.

The agency is adding a fourth branch in Berlin on September 1, joining their offices in Amsterdam, London, and Stockholm. Paul Sebes and Rik Kleuver will lead the branch, which will focus on selling global translation rights of German-language authors. They will be supported by Merijn Hollestelle, who formerly worked at Dutch publishers Podium, de Bezige Bij, and Alfabet. German literary agent Anabelle Assaf will support the team from Cologne.

Daniel Gallant joins as executive director on June 10. He is a development and communications strategist for arts and cultural entities, as well as a writer, lecturer and event producer.