Executive Director Emmert steps down

A note from Amanda Emmert, ComicsPRO Executive Director:

To the ComicsPRO membership,

The biggest event of ComicsPRO's year, our Annual Membership Meeting, has wrapped up. The biggest event of the comics retail year, Free Comic Book Day, is also behind us. Both were extremely successful, and it feels good to have helped with two major events that promote comic book stores.

The organization has a bit of breathing room now as we start prepping for the rest of our convention schedule and set-up for the fourth quarter 24-Hour Comics Day event. So, it's a good time to make an announcement and a change: I'm resigning my position as Executive Director of ComicsPRO.

As a company, ComicsPRO is stable, established, and financially sound. For many years I've been very careful with our budgets, and we're set to enter the next phase of the organization with a firm footing, which will allow the association to run successfully for many years. I am confident that our leadership will continue to improve the organization for our members, and I'm excited for the next wave of retailers to step up and take charge of our association.

In 2004, after many discussions with retailers and with publishers for the need for a new trade association, I incorporated ComicsPRO and set up its not-for-profit status. My best friend Gary Dills, of Phoenix Comics (which later became Laughing Ogre Comics) funded the nascent organization, helped me construct the initial bylaws, and helped choose the initial board of directors. I told everyone at the time that I wouldn't do the work unless Joe Field, of Flying Colors Comics, would agree to be president, and I've been very proud to work with Joe ever since. In 2005, we took on our first members, many of whom are still active members today even as the organization has expanded and changed.

In 2007, the organization was large enough and busy enough to need someone running it full time, and I became ComicsPRO's first employee. As we've grown, we've changed my title and job description, but my main duty, my main love, has been the same -- working with amazing retailers who do everything they can to help improve our industry.

Joe stepped down as President this year, and Gary stepped down as Vice President, both after 9 years of intense volunteer work, both still serving on the Board. Thomas Gaul, of Corner Store Comics and Carr D'Angelo, of Earth-2 Comics, have stepped up as President and VP and I'm excited by the plans they have to improve ComicsPRO. I know that they, along with the rest of our amazing Board of Directors, will make the organization better than it has ever been. It's a great time to be a comic book retailer, it's a great time for change in our industry, and it's a great time for ComicsPRO to enter into its next stage with a new Executive Director.

I am very proud of what I've been able to accomplish with ComicsPRO over the years, and prouder still of my colleagues, all of them. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I've been given to work with all of you, and I look forward to seeing how you continue to improve our market. Thank you for everything you've done, and everything you've given me.

Amanda Emmert