Laura Barker, previously v-p, editor-in-chief at WaterBrook and Multnomah, has been named v-p and publisher of the imprints of Penguin Random House. The news was announced Wednesday by Tina Constable, executive v-p and publisher of Random House Christian Publishing.
"In addition to her leadership skills, Laura has acquired and brilliantly edited some of our program’s most important authors, including Anne Graham Lotz, Jennie Allen, Katie Davis Majors, Kay Arthur, Liz Curtis Higgs, Randy Alcorn, and Joanna Weaver," Constable wrote in her announcement. "We all benefit from her astute business and financial sensibility, which will serve us well in the years to come.”
Barker's promotion comes over a year after Constable called off a search for a new publisher of WaterBrook and Multnomah, and following an expansion of imprints' staff in June.
Immediately following her appointment, Barker announced the promotions of Andrew Stoddard, previously lead acquisitions editor, to editorial director, WaterBrook and Multnomah; and Kim Von Fange, who has been promoted from editorial assistant to assistant editor at the imprints.
Additionally, two new positions have been created in the wake of Barker's promotion. Kristopher Orr has been named designer, while Ericka Weed has taken on the role of ad operations coordinator, reporting to assistant director of ad operations Rochelle Clark. Both Orr and Weed will be working within the Random House creative services department, which supports WaterBrook and Multnomah's Christian publishing program and direct-to-consumer outreach.
