Peter Berkery, Jr. has been named the new executive director of the Association of American University Presses. Berkery, who has been v-p and publisher of the US Law division of Oxford University Press, will assume his new position March 1, succeeding long-time AAUP director Peter Givler.
Prior to joining OUP, Berkery had worked for Wolters Kluwer for 11 years in a series of positions. In addition to working in publishing, Berkery also has extensive experience in government affairs and association management, an important attribute the AAUP said. "In looking for the person to guide the AAUP into its next generation, we sought a publishing professional who combined an acute appreciation of the historic contribution of university presses with deep knowledge of the challenges that we face in charting our future," said Peter Dougherty, president of AAUP. "In Peter Berkery, we have found a leader who combines these and other relevant qualities, and we are delighted that he will be succeeding Peter Givler and joining us to help define tomorrow's university press."
"I am genuinely humbled to have been appointed to this role," Berkery said. "I have developed an abiding respect for the unique and critical contribution university presses make to the dissemination of knowledge. I welcome the opportunity to help safeguard this contribution during a time of unprecedented opportunity and challenge within the world of publishing, and I look forward to meeting and learning from all members of the university press community in the weeks and months ahead."
