Team

Brittain Phillips is CEO at Arcadia Publishing, a company that prides itself on reconnecting people to their community, their neighbors, and their past by offering a curbside view of hometown history. Arcadia books animate the cherished memories, people, places, and events that define a community. With six five imprints, Arcadia publishes 425 books a year, has a catalogue of 22,000 titles and employs more than 100 people. A graduate of Depauw University, Phillips began his publishing career with The History Press, one of Arcadia’s imprints.

Michael Kerber is President, CEO at Red Wheel/Weiser, a leading independent publisher and distributor of “Books to Live By”. He has led the company since its inception following the acquisition of Samuel Weiser, Inc. in November of 2000. Other acquisitions have followed including Hampton Roads Publishing and Career Press/New Page Books. Today RWW publishes under five imprints and distributes for a dozen other publishers. Kerber had previous roles at Tuttle Publishing and Salem House Publishers. He is skilled in Strategic Planning, Sales Management, Content Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, and Digital Publishing – a strong business development professional with a BA in English from Boston College.

Molly Merkle has held many leadership positions with AdventureKEEN since she began her career working for Menasha Ridge Press, one of the company’s seven imprints, in 1992. In early 2023, she was named AdventureKEEN’s publisher and continues to serve as its COO. Merkle has been key to executing the company’s vision for growth, including the acquisition and integration of several independent presses over the years. She’s also helped lead the company through hardship and challenges, which are a fact of life for entrepreneurial publishing. While Merkle is responsible for development of the publishing program and heading up the company’s leadership team, she also focuses on AdventureKEEN’s nonprofit partnerships, author support, and nurturing the extraordinary people who work for the company. Merkle received her MBA from Vanderbilt University and was previously Association Executive for Publishers Association of the South (1992–1997).

Keith Riegert is the president of The Stable Book Group and CEO of Brooklyn-based independent publishing companies, Ulysses Press and VeloPress Books. Keith is also CEO of Perfect Bound Technologies Corporation and a co-founder of the book publicity and digital marketing firm, Pacific & Court. Keith is a member of the board of advisors at NYU’s School of Professional Studies in the Center for Publishing where he also teaches Analytics and Consumer Insights. Keith also serves on the boards of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and the AI firm, Inkbloom.

Pete Schiffer, Publisher and CEO at Schiffer Publishing, a second-generation independent family business located on the Book Farm in southeastern Pennsylvania that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. Schiffer Publishing has several imprints focusing on a diverse range of illustrated nonfiction and related works in the areas of art, design, antiques, photography, craft, regional, mind body spirit, children, military history, trade, and other niche subjects.

Carrie is the Chief Executive Officer of SOHO Publishing Company and West Broadway Distribution Services, LLC. She joined the company in 1997.

Carrie has been involved in the creation and management of West Broadway Distribution Services, LLC (WBDS) since the company’s inception.  WBDS is a Vendor Managed Inventory, pay-on-scan, book distributor merchandising the book assortments in approximately 2,000 stores, and representing nearly 100 publishers.

In 2012 Carrie was appointed the Publisher for Sixth & Spring Books, an Imprint of SOHO Publishing.  Sixth and Spring Books is a leading publisher of DIY craft books with a strong emphasis in the category areas of art instruction, knitting, and crochet. In 2013 Carrie helped to form the book publishing company, Mixed Media Resources, LLC (MMR), publishing books in the category areas of art instruction, adult coloring, knitting and crochet.

In 2018 Carrie became the CEO of the companies.  She oversees book publishing, book distribution, magazine publishing, and the consumer event and retreat businesses.

She graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in Psychology.

As Publisher at C&T Publishing for over 22 years, Amy has led the organization through launching successful imprints, such as Stash Books, FunStitch Studio, and FanPowered Press, growing product lines and creating new opportunities in both the craft and publishing industry. She is the current president of PubWest, an independent publishing association and has sat on the board for 5 years. In 2020, C&T launched Creative Spark Online Learning, now housing 175+ courses and producing 6+ virtual live events annually. You can find Amy on C&T’s YouTube channel demonstrating products, teaching color theory and inspiring makers. Amy frequently appears on panels at industry events. Amy resides in Pleasant Hill, CA.

Over his 20 years at Gibbs Smith, Brad Farmer has led the company through significant disruption and opportunity including the introduction of digital products, the rise of Amazon and significant consolidation of the customer base. Throughout this period, he focused the company on independence and resilience, culminating in the transition to 100% employee ownership in 2022. He led the effort to become the second U.S.-based publisher to become a certified B Corp, enshrining the company’s long held commitment to benefit employees, our community and the planet. He founded two nonprofits, the LDS Publishing & Media Association and the Gangrene Film Festival Foundation, along with a company, Many Hats Media, to help publishing and arts professionals navigate the changing digital and entertainment landscape. Continuing his commitment to positive change, Brad has served on the board of PubWest, a publishing trade association, and is the treasurer of the Davis Arts Council and frequent speaker at publishing conferences and training events. He received his MAcc at Brigham Young University and certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the London School of Economics.