Friedman Leaves Hampton Roads
By Jim Milliot -- Publishers Weekly, 11/5/2009 11:14:00 AM
Robert Friedman, a fixture in the New Age publishing community and the cofounder and president of Hampton Roads Publishing, is leaving the company. Friedman has discovered and/or worked with numerous bestselling authors, including Mary Summer Rain, Lynn Grabhorn, Linda Goodman, Richard Back and Neale Donald Walsch, whose When Everything Changes, Change Everything was released by Hampton earlier this year. Randy Davila, CEO and majority owner of Hampton Roads, will assume the duties of president. “Bob’s work in this industry has been legendary,” said Davila in a statement. “He has an uncanny ability to spot future trends in the New Age genre. He will be a tough man to follow.”
Friedman’s departure comes a few months after, Hampton Roads signed a joint operating agreement with Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari Press. Under the agreement Red Wheel took on sales and distribution for Hampton Roads, as well as other backoffice functions. Hampton Roads closed its Charlottesville office, cut 11 positions and set up telecommuting capabilities with the remaining Hampton staff. The company continues to released its own titles under the Hampton Roads imprint.
