Meet Ken

Describe your educational background. Where did you study, what degrees did you receive? 
Wheaton College (Illinois), B.A. in Communications, Psychology

Describe your career history. What have been your professional experiences prior to your current position?
I’ve worked at Tyndale House Publishers most of my life, starting in sales, then marketing, and ultimately in editorial. I was managing editor for five years, and then moved into acquisitions for the past 18 years. I helped develop the fiction line at Tyndale and I developed the Left Behind series.

What are your current roles and responsibilities? As publisher of Multnomah, I oversee the acquisitions of both fiction and non-fiction authors, develop vision strategies for the growth of the line, work with the top A-level authors, manage the Multnomah team, and negotiate with authors and agents.

Describe a typical day at your job: 
There isn’t one! That’s what’s exciting and interesting—every day is different. But most days are spent on the phone with agents, on email with authors, and in meetings focusing on publishing decisions, marketing efforts, cover designs, and so forth. There’s also a lot of travel to visit authors and agents.

What is your favorite thing about your job? 
I like the chance to be a part of a big vision of growth and influence; I enjoy developing books that help people. Waterbrook Multnomah is well positioned to make waves in our industry.

What has been your most memorable moment (so far) in your job? 
Probably the ICRS convention in Atlanta—which was my first experience meeting many of the Multnomah authors face to face.

If you could meet anyone from history, living or dead, who would it be? 
William Shakespeare 

If I were a cartoon character, I would be… 
Mighty Mouse

What qualities do you feel are necessary to be a successful employee at your company?
I think it’s important to work hard and to have fun; to be dedicated to the mission of the company but also to enjoy your work and the people around you.

Have you had the opportunity to travel as part of your job?
Yes, and there will be more travel as I visit agents and authors and tell them about Multnomah, our strategies, and the directions we’re moving in.

Do you feel you have a good understanding of Bertelsmann and its corporate culture? 
Yes. Even though we’re not in New York, I have a sense of the Random House culture there through what I’ve read, as well as through my contacts in the organization. 

My favorite book, movie and artist are…
Of late, my favorite book is Say When by Elizabeth Berg, my favorite movie is Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, and currently my favorite artist of the month is Feist.

Finally, please write a paragraph or two about yourself, your interests, hobbies, goals, meaningful life experiences, role models, memories, etc.: 
I’m a serious amateur photographer, enjoy cooking, wine, and great food, love movies new and old, and I like to write on the side (fiction, when time is conducive). Also enjoy reading all kinds of books, have eclectic interests in music, and I love to travel.