Milwaukee-based business book retailer 800-CEO-READ is restructuring its leadership team following the retirement of founder and president Jack Covert.
Sally Haldorson, general manager, will now be responsible for day-to-day operations management. She has worked at 800-CEO-READ since 1998 in a variety of roles. As general manager, she focuses on making the company a great place to work and delivering consistently high customer service for clients, authors and publishing companies. Haldorson also facilitates communication between frontline employees and the board.
Aaron Schleicher has been named sales group leader. He has served as author services sales specialist since 2004, and worked to assist authors in getting their books to readers internationally. In his new role, Schleicher will work to align the sales group’s efforts with the company’s strategic plans.
Dylan Schleicher will continue to manage the marketing and editorial department. He has been with the company since 2003, beginning in shipping/receiving. He oversees all in-house design and advertising and helps shape the company’s brand and messaging.
Meg Bacik will continue as customer service group leader, representing client needs and overseeing refinement of service and logistics. She has been with the company since 1997 and has gained skills at customer service, shipping books around the world and acting as the company’s enthusiast-in-chief.
“These are the people who have helped me grow the company for the past decade or so,” Covert said. “I was never a micro-manager; the staff has always been empowered to lead and to generate and execute ideas, and they’ve always had a voice at the table when trying to figure out what the company would become. Really, this is not just the right time for me to step into retirement personally, it is the right time for the business. We’re talking about a group of good, smart, hard-working people. I’ll still be around to consult Sally and Aaron and everyone else, but 800-CEO-READ is in a good place and I’m fully confident the kids will continue to grow what I put a lot of passion into building.”
In addition, Ryan Schleicher will return to 800-CEO-READ to assist his brothers in achieving their goals, working with the sales and marketing teams and managing press relations. Mike Shauwitzer will join the logistics and special projects teams. Roy Normington will add social media to his customer services duties. Stephanie Grzona will add customer service to her IT support duties.
Carol Grossmeyer remains chief executive officer. She and Rebecca Schwartz co-own the company.
“We believe these changes will make us even more finely attuned to the needs of the publishing industry, authors, and our customers, by increasing our efficiency and flexibility in fulfilling bulk book purchases and promoting the best business and personal development books available,” Haldorson said.
