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David Brake began his career in publishing as a textbook sales representative, covering Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa. The winters were cold, and he had to walk two miles to the barn where he kept his car. The year was 1985, shortly after having graduated with a degree in English. He had an affinity for Twain, Hemingway, and Thoreau. And he needed a job. Since then he has been an Editor, Executive Editor, and Publisher for major publishing houses, including Times Mirror, Prentice Hall, and McGraw-Hill. Prior to starting Content Connections in 2002 he worked with scores of authors, publishing several best selling books in the areas of Business, Information Technology, and Science. At Content Connections he has specialized in helping publishers, authors, and prospective authors via innovative technology and a Five-Part Model that he teaches to clients seeking an edge in today’s competitive and unforgiving publishing world. He lives in Arizona where the winters are warm. He no longer parks his car in a barn.
Roland Elgey, President
Roland likes to quote Groucho Marx: “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” Roland is a thirty year publishing veteran whose senior management experience ranges from content creation to sales and marketing to international rights. He began his career with Wiley and McGraw-Hill in the UK and moved to the US to join Macmillan, holding a number of positions in both the computer publishing and trade reference divisions, and working with brands such as Betty Crocker, Frommers Travel, Websters New World Dictionaries and Que computer books. Roland subsequently joined Hungry Minds, best known as the publisher of the Dummies and Cliffs Notes brands, and a market leader in both technology and trade publishing. His most recent role was as CEO of Coriolis, a major player in IT certification publishing.
Craig Beytien, Executive Vice President, Partner
“My favorite aspect of our business is the discovery process. Peeling back the layers of anecdotes, assumptions, and prejudices to find the core belief is one of the most exciting things I do. Once truth is laid bare, you are best able to conceive of solutions that truly meet both realized and unrealized needs. I live to hear teachers tell us “you really understand what I do!” Craig is a 25-year veteran of the educational publishing industry where he has held positions with Macmillan Publishing Company, Richard D. Irwin, Inc., and McGraw-Hill. The bulk of his career has been in product and market development. As publisher and editor, he has signed, developed, and published several market-leading textbooks in the areas of management, law, and business communication. Craig is known for his progressive leadership and hands-on experience in the design, development and production of print and collateral technology products. A highly motivated self-starter who is action oriented and operates with a sense of purpose. Craig is recognized for innovation, creativity, high integrity and principles. Strong “customer first” orientation with excellent organizational, communication and problem resolution skills. Craig earned his Bachelor of Arts from the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas, and lives in Dubuque, Iowa (the San Francisco of the Midwest) with his wife, Alyson and three teenage sons. In his spare time, Craig is a semi-professional magician, a passion since he was 10-years old.
Holly McAllister, AuthorBound Project Director / Communication Manager  "There are some books that refuse to be written. They stand their ground year after year and will not be persuaded. It isn’t because the book is not there and worth being written — it is only because the right form of the story does not present itself. There is only one right form for a story and if you fail to find that form the story will not tell itself." - Mark TwainHolly McAllister brings over 15 years experience in advertising and broadcasting to Content Connections’ media-enhanced publishing services. As AuthorBound project director, Holly helps authors and publishing clients utilize Content Connections’ suite of innovative online publishing tools to: assess their audience, refine their concept, execute their content plan, measure their competition and ultimately determine sales viability of their content. Holly earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication from the University of Utah. Her advertising career gave her experience as a media director, media buyer, research analyst, account manager and copywriter. She wrote television and radio spots, as well as copy for print advertising. She was editor of Our View on Advertising, providing tips on advertising and marketing to clients and advertising industry professionals. She was also assistant editor of The Utah Publicity Sourcebook. She loves developing a message that communicates the essence of a client’s concept and meeting the challenge of getting that message to the right people. “I am thrilled to see my skills and experience in advertising fully utilized within the publishing industry through Content Connections’ suite of publishing services.”
Damian Hill, Director, Product Development  “I don’t think anyone would be surprised if I ran off with a band of gypsies.”
 When asked for her favorite quote, Michelle Jorajuria says, enigmatically, “These go to eleven.”
 “When asked what I plan to do with the rest of my life, my response is always the same: I will continue investing in those things that mean the most to me–my family and my writing.”
Kellie Clark, Project Director  “To quote Ashleigh Brilliant: ‘All I want is a little more than I’ll ever get.'"Kellie was born in Fullerton, California and moved to Lake Havasu, Arizona when she was 12 years old. After high school, she attended Arizona State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
 "The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists." - Charles Dickens
Barbara Jester, Project Director- LWW Liaison “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” - Richard Steele, Tatler, 1710 Barbara has been a project director with Content Connections since October, 2003. This position has given her the perfect opportunity to synthesize her nursing and publishing experiences! After receiving her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Northern Illinois University, Barbara worked as a staff nurse in a variety of adult health settings. Her love of teaching led her back to school where she earned a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She taught for ten years at Northern Illinois University, After a hiatus at home with four children, a love of books and educational materials led Barbara to re-enter the workplace in the world of publishing. Prior to Content Connections, Barbara had her first experiences in the world of editing with David Brake at McGraw-Hill. Barbara is addicted to marathon running and plans to ultimately complete one in each of the 50 states. In addition, she loves to read anything and everything. Barbara resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two of her children. With her two oldest away at college, she is now halfway to being an “empty-nester.” Aimee Sirmon, Project Director Aimee’s background includes over 15 years in marketing, sales and new business development, with over 8 of those years spent in health science publishing at Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a division of Wolters Kluwer Health. Her notable experiences at LWW included working with high profile author Dr. Ruth Westheimer (yes, her area of expertise in fact can be categorized as a health science!), winning the Marketer of the Year award three times, and most importantly - leading the conception, funding, implementation and management of LWW’s successful faculty development and student success initiative, providing instructors and learners with solutions to their most vexing in-class challenges. Jennifer's journey to Content Connections wasn't what you might suppose. Right out of high school, she joined the Active Duty Army, serving as a paratrooper, medic, and radiology technician for the next few years. Her various trainings and assignment to the 82nd Airborne Division took her to many places, including Missouri, Texas (where she met her husband), Washington state, North Carolina, Georgia, and Dexheim, Germany. After leaving active duty and starting a family, Jennifer earned two Associates degrees in General Education and Radiology, then worked for PetSmart editing and developing training documents used in the US and Canada as she worked on her Bachelor's degree in Technical Writing and Multimedia Communication from Arizona State University – Polytechnic. Jennifer came across Content Connections' internship during her senior year. She applied, was accepted, and soon graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2008. She has since accepted a position at Content Connections working with higher education publishers and AuthorBound divisions. Jennifer also has experience in web coding and design, graphics manipulation, and teaching.
Erin Parker, Senior Project Director "Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working."- Pablo PicassoErin Parker’s not exactly sure what lead her to the field of Publishing, but after graduating from UNLV in the 90’s with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting, she decided that since The Cold War was over, covert intelligence didn’t hold the same allure. Erin gained seven years of publishing experience with Elsevier’s Journal Editorial-Production Department. She served in positions as Production Controller, Editorial Manager, Neuroscience Team Manager, and Project Director of an international team to restructure the global department and assess editorial tools and procedures. She has a knack for organization, and an eye for detail, which is beneficial in her current role as Senior Project Director for Content Connections. During her time at Content Connections, Erin has specialized in Customer Service, and finding better, more efficient ways to serve our clients. She resides with her husband in San Diego, California and still enjoys painting and spy movies, when she has the time. Janet Gorin, Review Coordinator “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”-Benjamin Franklin Janet Gorin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation from Arizona State University. She has worked many flexible part-time jobs, off and on, over the past 30 years so that she could stay home and raise her three daughters. Being a people person, the opportunity for her to join the Content Connection family in March of 2003 as a Review Coordinator was a perfect fit. Volunteer work with church, girl scouts, and public schools has been a large part of her life. She lives in Mesa, AZ with her husband and maintains that revolving door for her girls as they come and go from their respective colleges. “My mother’s an archaeologist and taught me the scope of the world has no boundaries—it’s as large as you want to make it.” Mimi is originally from Lincoln, Nebraska. She moved to Greeley, Colorado and attended the University of Northern Colorado where she majored in Journalism, Mass Communications, with an emphasis in Telecommunications, and a minor in Business, Public Relations, and Advertising. While going to school, she worked at a local radio station. After college, she moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming and was an Anchor/Reporter for their local television station KGWN. Mimi moved to Arizona 20 years ago with her husband and has worked in Customer Service Management positions, and as a Sales Executive with a large client base. She has extensive sales and customer service experience. For Mimi, Content Connections was only a click away. While searching for a job on Monster.com, she stumbled upon Content Connections by accident and began work here in December 2005. She has taken on a variety of positions. Most currently as a Review Coordinator. Among other things, Mimi enjoys watching interesting weather patterns across the Valley of the Sun. “If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Mississippi University for Women, Margaret packed her Chevy Nova and made the move to Tempe, Arizona, where she earned her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Drawing and Painting from Arizona State University in 1982. She decided she preferred the “dry heat” over the south’s humidity, stayed and married Bruce. Her greatest joy has been inspiring the creativity of her four children through the love of music, art, dance and writing. Much to her husband’s chagrin, all four are choosing their life paths in the arts, and none so far in professional sports. She began working for Content Connections in 2004, and enjoys the contact with instructors around the world as she helps facilitate their collaboration in the development of good textbooks. Susan Hughes, Review Coordinator "Imagination is more important than knowledge."-Albert Einstein Susan Hughes has worked in the publishing industry for over 20 years in various capacities. As former vice president of Grolier Publishing, she brings a wealth of experience to her current position with Content Connections. Susan also served as the Director of Marketing for Coriolis Publishing, and has held numerous sales positions in the field, including Senior National Accounts manager for both Macmillan Computer Publishing and IDG Book Worldwide.
Katie McAllister, Review Coordinator "The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind."- Elizabeth Hardwick Katie was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and doesn't see any reason to ever leave. She grew up in a large family as the sixth of eleven children. She always loved school and after graduating high school couldn't decide what to study in college. She has taken courses in Music Education, Medicine, and Business but is still deciding which to follow through to the end first. Having just recently made the move to working for Content Connections, Katie is very excited for the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead. She is currently living in Queen Creek, Arizona with her husband and they are expecting their first child in October 2008. In her spare time, Katie loves reading romance novels, playing the piano, singing with her sisters, and watching movies.
Sydney Brake, Tools Writer "When once the itch of literature comes over a man, nothing can cure it but the scratching of a pen. But if you have not a pen, I suppose you must scratch any way you can." - Samuel Lover A sophomore communication major at Southern Utah University (SUU), Sydney has involved herself in many campus organizations and leadership positions, including the editorial editor of SUU's student produced newspaper, the Alpha Phi sorority alumni relations director, and the publicity director for SUU's student association. She hopes to continue developing journalism skills necessary to one day join the ranks of Peter Jennings and Diane Sawyer. At Content Connections, Sydney hones her experience in journalism and marries it with her creative energy to fulfill her duty as a tools writer. With passions for travel and poetry, Sydney enjoys life most when sitting at the base of the Roman Piazza di Spagna (the Spanish Steps) reading sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, or analyzing works of Emily Dickinson at St. Stephen's Green in Ireland. When she isn't studying, working, or traveling, Sydney can be found cooking gourmet meals for her college roommates.
"One must be an inventor to read well. There is then creative reading as well as creative writing." - Ralph Waldo Emerson Haley McAllister is a senior at the University of Utah majoring in English with an emphasis in creative writing. When she's not studying James Joyce and theory, Haley stays busy running for the University of Utah Track & Field team on a full-ride scholarship. She is well known through the athletic department for correcting her coach's grammar during workouts. After graduation, this December, Haley plans to continue her career at Content Connections while she obtains a master's of Arts and Teaching degree from Westminster College.
Rebecca Goncalves, FIQ Member Rebecca is a native Arizonian with family all over the west. Tired of hurricanes and wanting to be closer to family, Rebecca and her husband decided to move "home" after 12 years of living in Florida. She has worked as an Administrative Assistant at various companies over the past 17 years, none of which have anything to do with publishing. She was hired at Content Connections to do research and has enjoyed being able to work from home.
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