Peter Quandt, the former president and CEO of Macmillan Book Clubs and the K-III Education Group, has died of cancer in Chappaqua, N.Y. He was 71.
Quandt's career in publishing began as a summary writer for book jackets, but he rose through the ranks of Macmillan Book Clubs to become its president and CEO in 1988. When Macmillan Book Clubs was acquired by K-III and renamed Newbridge Communications, Quandt remained in charge of the division, and was later promoted to president and CEO of the K-III Education Group as a whole.
In 1996, Quandt began his own company, Haights Cross Communications (HCC), acquiring a number of subsidiaries and publishing educational, medical, and audio materials. He later worked to launch Illume, a digital platform focused on access to university learning materials.
Quandt is survived by his wife of 47 years, Diane Quandt (née Fergerson), as well as two children, two grandchildren, a sister, and a brother. Private graveside services were held in North Syracuse Cemetery. Donations may be made to Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program or the Wikimedia Foundation.
