Layoffs and Executive Shifts at Rutledge Hill
Bob Summer &Steven M. Zeitchik -- Publishers Weekly, 8/2/1999
The board of directors of Rutledge Hill Press, the Nashville house known for publishing H. Jackson Browne's bestselling Life's Little Instruction Book, has announced a management shift that will see publisher Lawrence M. Stone concentrating full time on book development and long-range planning. In addition, PW has learned, the company has laid off approximately seven people in sales, editorial and other departments. Among this group are Bill and Julie Jayne, who were president and director of sales, respectively. Julie has reportedly taken a new position at Cumberland House Publishing. Also leaving the company is Bryan Curtis, v-p, marketing.
Rutledge's new management team includes Duncan L. LaVigne, formerly a financial consultant, who has been named president and CEO; and Andrew Pate, previously production director, who has been named executive v-p and COO. LaVigne worked in senior executive capacities for Xerox, 7UP and Ryder before founding his own business, LaVigne and Co., a consulting firm specializing in privately held businesses. "This new arrangement will allow me to take a hard look at the changing landscape of publishing and determine where Rutledge Hill should be positioned for the future," explained Stone.
The changes are at least the second downsizing at the company in the last year. Several months ago, CFO John Finnegan was let go, as was Adrian Booy, who handled mass market sales, among other responsibilities.
LaVigne told PW that he will be "assisting Stone in determining whether the company should remain an independent publisher or seek a strategic partner," possibly alluding to what some observers have predicted might be the sale of Rutledge Hill.
Rutledge Hill now has about 23 employees and a backlist of 250 titles. The house has scored with a nonfiction mix of humor, trivia and celebrity cookbooks, such as Aunt Bee's Mealtime in Mayberry, in addition to Browne's megaseller and its numerous spin-offs.
