Paul Golob, currently editorial director at Public Affairs, will join Henry Holt May 1 as editorial director of the Times Books imprint. Golob replaces David Sobel, who will serve as a consultant to Times Books for at least the next three months.

Holt took over the Times Books imprint, which is a co-venture with the New York Times, in 2001. Through spring 2003 Holt has released 55 titles under the imprint, including How Race Is Lived in America and Out of the Blue . In his new position, Golob will work with Susan Chira, editorial director of book development at the Times, to continue to expand the program.

Golob's appointment is a homecoming of sorts; from 1990 to 1994 he was an editor at Times Books when it was an imprint of Random House, and in 2000 he was an assistant editor of the Times' op-ed page. Among the authors Golob has worked with at Public Affairs are Times writers Chris Hedges (War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning) and Keith Bradsher (High and Mighty: SUVs—The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way).

According to a Public Affairs spokesperson, managing editor Robert Kimzey will serve as acting editorial director until a replacement for Golob is found.