BookPeople’s Steve Bercu to Retire

Former American Booksellers Association President Steve Bercu has announced that he will retire from full-time bookselling after almost 20 years as CEO of BookPeople in Austin, Texas, with a target date of June 2018.

During his tenure at BookPeople, Bercu led the evolution of the store from an Austin favorite to a national literary destination. He was instrumental in developing the studies behind the benefits of independent businesses and spurring the renewed interest in the importance of local businesses.

Because of those efforts, BookPeople was named Publishers Weekly’s Bookseller of the Year in 2005. During his term as ABA president, Bercu focused on expanding rapid replenishment programs, simplifying coop, extended terms for publisher payments, and moving special sales to local independent bookstores.

Bercu’s commitment to local, independent businesses led him to found the Austin Independent Business Alliance in 2001. He has served on ABA’s Bookseller Advisory Council and joined the ABA Board of Directors in 2007, later serving as president from 2013 to 2015.

As part of the transition at BookPeople, Elizabeth Jordan has been named general manager. Jordan has worked at the bookstore since 2002, as a bookseller, manager, adult book buyer, and inventory operations supervisor. As general manager, Jordan will oversee all day-to-day operations of the store, with an emphasis on improving communication among departments, creating efficiencies, and increasing sales.

Consuelo Wilder, a former sales floor manager at the store, has been named the adult book buyer and inventory operations supervisor. In her new role, Wilder will curate the selection of frontlist and backlist adult books and manage a staff of assistant buyers, inventory managers, and the shipping and receiving departments.