In a "fine-tuning" and restructuring of staff in part to help implement
"ambitious education and marketing plans," the American Booksellers
Association has announced the following promotions, which "largely
reflect the role each already plays," according to CEO Avin Domnitz:
- Len Vlahos has been named chief program officer. A 15-year ABA veteran and former bookseller, he will continue to have overall responsibility for the ABA education program, including the Winter Institute, as well as BookSense.com, of which he has been director since its inception. He will also pursue strategic business opportunities for the association.
- Meg Zelickson Smith has been named chief marketing officer. She will be responsible for overseeing strategy and implementation for all ABA marketing initiatives as well as press relations, and will continue to oversee the independent bookstore bestseller list. She was most recently director of membership marketing and joined ABA in 1999 as business development consultant for BookSense.com. She earlier practiced entertainment law and worked in marketing at Yoyodyne Entertainment.
- Dan Cullen has been named senior director, editorial content. A staff member since 1986, he directs all ABA information efforts, including Bookselling This Week and BookWeb.org, and is editor-in-chief of the Book Sense Picks.
- Mark Nichols has been named senior director of publisher initiatives. He continues to be the liaison between ABA and the publishing community and directs the ABA's Book Sense publisher partner program and other publisher-sponsored ABA initiatives.
- Jeff Wexler has been promoted to senior IT director, overseeing the information and technology services department. He was previously IT director.
- Jill Perlstein has been named director of member services and will continue to manage the Book Sense gift card program and other ABA member programs as well as develop customer relations within the association.
- Kristen Gilligan has been named director of meetings and events, better reflecting her duties.
- Ricky Leung, senior technical lead for BookSense.com the past five years, will take over day-to-day direction of the program.