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| Annette Danek-Akey | |
Annette Danek-Akey, executive v-p, chief supply chain officer, at Penguin Random House, is joining Barnes & Noble as chief supply chain officer, effective in September. She will stay at PRH until the end of August to help with the transition and ongoing projects.
In related moves, Jeff Abraham has been promoted to chief operating officer, Penguin Random House US, and will assume Danek-Akey's fulfillment responsibilities in the U.S. as well as continue to head publishing operations, IT, bookmaking, strategic projects, Zeitgeist, and Penguin Random House Publisher Services. When Danek-Akey was made chief supply chain officer last year, she was given direct oversight of PRH UK distribution in addition to her U.S. responsibilities. Now Deborah Wright, newly appointed chief operating officer, Penguin Random House UK, will lead the U.K.'s distribution, technology, strategic projects, and facilities functions.
Danek-Akey joined Bantam Doubleday Dell in 1996 as an industrial engineer and has been with the company through the merger with Random House, and then with Penguin. PRH CEO Nihar Malaviya called Danek-Akey "a driving force behind our fulfillment advancements. Her leadership has been pivotal through integration projects, corporate mergers, and the establishment of industry-leading distribution networks. She and her team have advanced our supply chain capabilities to become the gold standard for the industry."
B&N echoed his sentiments, saying that Danek-Akey "brings a wealth of experience to Barnes & Noble... She has had a long career, [and PRH's] distribution efforts have significantly expanded during Annette's tenure to become recognized as the premier supply chain in the publishing industry."
B&N CEO James Daunt added, "Annette joins Barnes & Noble at a pivotal moment of growth in the business when the excellence of the supply chain is of central importance to our success. We are delighted to gain from her deep experience of book distribution and commitment to developing excellence in her teams."
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| Jeff Abraham | |
In 2006, Abraham joined Random House Distribution Services (now Penguin Random House Distribution Services) as president after serving as executive director of the Book Industry Study Group. Last year, he took on the additional role of PRH's president of publishing operations, technology, and services.
Malaviya noted that Abraham "has driven PRHPS's unprecedented growth to become the industry's leading service provider to more than 50 independent publishers. In addition to overseeing PRHPS's expansion, he has promoted many successful initiatives across our technology and production functions. Having collaborated closely with him for many years, I know firsthand Jeff's deep commitment to and appreciation of our fulfillment colleagues, at every turn championing their work in advancing PRHPS's distribution business. This expanded role is a natural progression of Jeff's advocacy of our fulfillment team's incredible contributions to the business."
Abraham also announced several appointments:
Alison Martin has been promoted to senior v-p, customer solutions, logistics & strategy, and will continue to work together with local management to build the strategy and partnerships expanding PRH's U.S. operations to the facility in Grantham, England. She has been with the company nearly 20 years.
Alyssa Oles has been promoted to senior v-p, distribution, engineering & systems. She started her career with Random House in 2006 as a summer intern in the industrial engineering department and in 2017 was a founder of PRH's Global Distribution and Logistics Council.
Abraham said that Martin and Oles "have been a dynamic team for years, and their collaboration will remain at the heart of our new structure. Together, they will work to meet all our objectives for our supply chain: strategic vision, efficient warehouse design, unwavering customer focus, and exceptional service. Each is bringing a unique perspective and skills to shape the future of our end-to-end supply chain sequence."
In an additional change, Erin DiNello will move to the human resources department as associate manager of HR programs, communications, and community relations. She has been with PRH for 10 years.