BTW News Briefs

FedEx Accepting Entries for Small Business Grant Contest

On January 6, FedEx launched its second nationwide small business grant contest, which will award a total of $50,000 to 10 deserving U.S. small businesses. The grand prize winner will receive a $25,000 grant, four first place winners will each receive $5,000, and five second place winners will each receive $1,000. 

To compete for the grants, small businesses — those having fewer than 100 employees — must complete a profile that will be voted on by Facebook users. Participating businesses are encouraged to promote their profiles among their customers and fan bases through their social media networks to generate votes. The number of votes a small business receives will boost its visibility in the contest and is one factor FedEx will consider when determining the winners.

Grant contest registration is open at fedex.com/grantcontest until 11:59 p.m. ET on February 9. To register, participants must upload their company logo with three photos that reflect their business, enter their contact information, and tell FedEx about their business and how they would utilize the grant to enhance their business. All accepted entries will be posted to the contest website. 

George Coe Named B&T President and CEO

On January 17, Baker & Taylor announced George Coe as the company’s new chief executive officer and president.

Since 2000, Coe has served as president of Baker & Taylor’s Library and Education division. Prior to Baker & Taylor, he served as vice president and general manager of Brodart Books, Library Automation and K-12 software management divisions.

Coe will replace Arnie Wight, who retired on January 15 after a 34-year career with B&T. Wight will assume the role of non-executive chairman of the board and will also work as a consultant for Baker & Taylor to support the leadership transition and the execution of strategic plans.

Coe serves on several industry-related boards, including the Board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina’s School of Information and Library Science, as well as the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, which is a division of the American Library Association. He is also a member of the Urban Library Council, and has served on development committees for ALA and the Public Library Association.

Binc Foundation Announces Four New Board Members

The Book Industry Charitable Foundation is welcoming four new members to its 2014 Board of Directors: Rockelle Henderson, president and CEO of Rock Inked, Inc.; Wanda Jewell, executive director of the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance; Deb Leonard, executive director of the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association; and Kate McCune, a field sales rep for HarperCollins Publishers.

The Book Industry Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that coordinates charitable programs to strengthen the bookselling community. Established in 1996, the core program provides assistance to bookstore employees who have a demonstrated financial need arising from severe hardship and/or emergency circumstances.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Binc Scholarship Program for the 2014–2015 academic year.