Ave Maria Press Editorial Director Robert Hamma plans to retire in July. For 25 years, he has served Ave Maria, and prior to that, he was an editor at Paulist Press.

Hamma learned the publishing business at Paulist, where he acquired and edited books, worked with RENEW and developed resources for RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and college-level theology. In 1991, Frank Cunningham hired him as a book editor at Ave and editor of Spiritual Book Associates Book Club. In that role, Hamma also served as editor of Spiritual Book News. He was promoted to editorial director in 1996. 

Nick Jones, managing director of Lion Hudson PLC in Oxford, U.K., announced he will retire June 6 after 35 years working in the publishing industry. After March 31, Jones will step down from his day-to-day role as managing director and become managing director emeritus until his retirement June 6. Deputy Managing Director Suzanne Wilson-Higgins will become Lion Hudson’s new managing director of April 1, working closely with Jones over the next couple of months until his retirement date.

Jones has been managing director of Lion Hudson for the last three years. Prior to this, he was managing director of Angus Hudson Ltd. and became deputy managing director of Lion Hudson when Lion Publishing PLC and Angus Hudson merged in 2003.

Ingram Content Group announced Tuesday the promotion of three executives. Jacqueline Letson, Michael Bell and Emily Weiss have all been promoted to director roles.

Michael Bell has been named director of national accounts, overseeing the strategic planning and selling activities for national accounts, Internet accounts, mass merchant wholesalers and associated suppliers. Previously, Bell was the director of consumer direct fulfillment for Ingram. Earlier in his career, Bell was a field sales trainer with Johnson & Johnson. Bell received his MBA and a certificate in executive leadership from Belmont University and his bachelor’s degree from The University of Tennessee.

David C Cook has announced that Chriscynethia Floyd will expand her role and become vice president of marketing and sales for the company's newly created Learning Resources Strategic Ministry Unit (SMU). Floyd initially joined Cook last July as vice president of marketing for books and media.

Cook recently realigned its books and curriculum into the SMU after acquiring the resources of Gospel Light and Standard Publishing last fall.

Ingram Content Group has announced the addition of Donald Roseman as vice president of retail, a newly created position at the company.

Roseman will focus on Ingram’s overall retail business, including national accounts, clubs, field sales, consumer direct fulfillment and Ingram International.

David C Cook announced Friday that children’s publishing veteran Catherine DeVries has been promoted to publisher of children’s resources. Formerly associate publisher and brand manager for the "Action Bible" line, DeVries is now publisher of Tru, Bible-in-Life (children), Echoes, Scripture Press, the "Action Bible Collection" and all children’s books.

DeVries is a children’s author herself, having written over 20 books for children, including the best-selling Adventure Bible Storybook. A graduate of Calvin College, DeVries has garnered considerable critical acclaim, including three Retailer’s Choice Awards (now Christian Retailing's Best) and a Gold Medallion from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Charisma House announced Wednesday the addition of a Christian publishing industry veteran to its team. Ken Peckett will now serve as director of CBA and international sales.

Effective immediately, Peckett will head day-to-day sales operations of CBA and international channels, aiming to achieve divisional objectives for Charisma House. Peckett was the director of sales and marketing for 10 years at Influence Resources/My Healthy Church, the publishing and distribution arm of the Assemblies of God (AG). He led the reintroduction of Gospel Publishing House (GPH) and AG materials into trade and international markets, supported the launch of My Healthy Church and Influence Resources, and developed strategic partnerships with publishers, denominations and distributors to help bring Spirit-empowered resources to the local church.