Dark Horse Comics has announced details of a reorganization as it re-sets in the wake of the ouster of Founder Mike Richardson; a triumvirate of department heads, other promotions, and a VP hire shape the company for its new era.
Jay Komas from Dark Horse sister company Middle-earth Enterprises, who was appointed Interim CEO as Richardson left (see “Richardson Ousted“) remains in that position, according to his LinkedIn profile, with three new department heads set to report to him.
Tim Wiesch, who’s had executive roles in Business Development, Licensing and Business and Legal Affairs with Dark Horse, Mondo, and Oni over the past 12 years, along with a 7 year stint at Dark Horse in licensing earlier in his career, will be Head of Publishing and Business Development. In that role, he’ll oversee Editorial, Licensing, Entertainment and Games, Product, and DTC operations.
Vanessa Todd-Holmes, who’s been VP of Production at Dark Horse for the last seven years after other production roles at Dark Horse and Phaidon Press, has been promoted to Head of Publishing Operations. In her new role, she’ll manage Design, Production, Sales, and Marketing.
Melissa Teeman, formerly VP-Finance, has been promoted to Head of Finance and Administration, a role in which she will lead financial strategy and manage accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and administrative operations.
Kevin Callahan has been hired as VP-Marketing to lead marketing strategy. He comes to Dark Horse after time at Insight Editions, Abrams, Penguin Random House, and HarperCollins in marketing roles.
Samantha Garcia has been promoted to Director of Marketing from her previous role as Social Media and Digital Advertising Manager. In that role she’ll oversee marketing functions with Callahan.
Mark Bernardi has been promoted to Vice President of Publishing Sales, adding Direct Market sales to his previous portfolio as VP of Book Trade and Digital Sales. Bernardi is a 30-year Dark Horse veteran.
Dark Horse also noted the addition of Stuart Schreck as Director of Sales last year. Schreck came to Dark Horse from Diamond Comic Distributors and DC Comics, and is a former comic store manager.
Source: ICV2
