Karey Circosta has been named associate publisher at Ave Maria Press by Thomas Grady, publisher and CEO.
Circosta, who has worked at Ave for 15 years, also will remain director of sales and marketing. Under her leadership, Ave’s sales and marketing efforts have significantly increased sales, particularly in high school religion textbooks and trade books. She also strengthened Ave’s relationship with key distributors, including Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. The company also launched its new Parish Book Program and Ave Explores during Circosta’s tenure as vice president and director of sales and marketing.
Two members of Ave’s editorial department also have been promoted.
Eileen Ponder has been named executive editor, ministry resources. She has worked at Ave for 15 years. Ponder is responsible for the Rebuilt Parish series, including the award-winning and bestselling Rebuilt by Michael White and Tom Corcoran.
Ponder developed Ave’s marriage preparation program, Joined by Grace, in conjunction with authors John and Teri Bosio. She also updated The Order of Celebrating Matrimony ritual cards, as well as Together for Life, to reflect the Church’s new translation of the Roman missal.
Ponder has edited books by authors including Lisa M. Hendey, Ann M. Garrido, Katie Prejean McGrady, and Deacon Greg Kandra .
Heidi Hess Saxton has been named senior acquisitions editor. She worked as an editor at Ave from 2013 to 2015 and then rejoined the company as an acquisitions editor in 2017. She has been responsible for acquiring books by notable authors such as Kelly Wahlquist, Sarah Christmyer, Sonja Corbitt, Fr. Ubald Rugirangoga, Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet, and Maria Morera Johnson.
Ave Maria Press was founded by Fr. Edward Sorin, CSC, in 1865 and is recognized as a leader in publishing Catholic high school religion textbooks, parish resources, and books on prayer and spirituality. Ave Maria Press is a ministry of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers.
