New Board Member & Staff Changes

Ann Arbor—The new year brought with it many changes to the Binc board and staff.

Binc welcomes ABA board member Chris Morrow as the newest member of the Binc Board of Directors. Morrow runs the Northshire Bookstores in Manchester Center, Vermont, and Saratoga Springs, New York. He received a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College and an M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand and a trainer of Peace Corps volunteers in Nepal. Chris has been involved in bookselling full time since 1998.

The executive committee roles have all changed for 2020. Matthew Gildea of Arcadia Publishing is now the Board President. Annie Philbrick of Bank Square Books and Savoy Bookshop and Café will fulfill the role of Vice President. Christie Roehl of Duluth Trading Company is Treasurer. And Julia Cowlishaw of Vroman’s is Secretary. The executive committee represents decades upon decades of bookselling, publishing, and industry experience and will thoughtfully and expertly guide the Foundation into the new decade.

Lori Tucker-Sullivan has become the immediate past-president and the board and staff all thank her for serving for an incredible seven years as Board President. She has deftly guided the Foundation on to a path of sustainability and growth, allowing the Foundation to help more booksellers every year of her presidency. Tucker-Sullivan will continue working on behalf of the booksellers’ safety net and will continue to serve on the board of directors as past president.

Two board members concluded their terms at the end of 2019. Mary Richards completed her term as Board Treasurer and Kate McCune concluded her time on the board after serving for five years. Binc is grateful for the time, dedication to the Foundation’s mission, and thoughtfulness demonstrated by both board members. The Foundation is grateful to Mary for leading the efforts to redefine Binc’s investment strategy and introducing a retirement saving plan for staff. The Foundation staff are especially thankful for the leadership and guidance of Kate McCune who shared her decades of industry knowledge and ceaseless care for booksellers, store owners, and the bookselling community at large.

Binc also gave a fond farewell to Binc staffer Joan Noricks. Noricks retired as Binc’s office coordinator this month to spend time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. An avid reader and passionate community service leader, Joan will be missed by the staff.

The office coordinator position has been filled by Mary Baker who has spent the majority of her career in management consulting with her last consulting role as a Senior Manager at Deloitte Consulting in their Supply Chain practice. Mary was a founding member and board member of the Boxing Autism Club, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families impacted by autism in Livingston County, Michigan. Mary’s heart for mission work and helping others, combined with her love of reading, make her a perfect fit for Binc.