Xander Media Group, publisher of the ABF Journal and Monitor trade publications, announced a series of new hires and promotions. Jerry Parrotto, president of Xander Media and executive editor of the print and online publications, said, “Building a new infrastructure to support how we see our business evolving over the next three to five years required a family of professionals that possessed both the skill set and experience to pave the way for our future.” Parrotto added, “It’s taken a while to put our new team together, but we wanted to select the right people with the right skills to ensure that our high standards for content delivery and customer service would be preserved.”

The company announced the following appointments and promotions:

New Hires:

Frank P. Battista, Director Sales/Marketing – Battista brings an in-depth knowledge of the publishing industry with 20 years of advertising/marketing experience to the team. In his most recent position as sales manager at Via Satellite Magazine and SatelliteTODAY, he produced new programs to generate print and electronic revenues. He’s been the recipient of numerous awards including top division revenue generator and was a member of the Access Intelligence Sales Leadership Council Group for this international publishing company. Battista is a graduate of Shippensburg University where he earned a B.A. in Communications and an M.S. in Organizational Development.

Shannon Browne, Director/Info Tech – Browne joins the firm as the company’s first full-time professional dedicated to supporting the continuing transition to the use of technology-based platforms to improve content delivery and website performance. She brings a unique background in IT consulting and application development encompassing website maintenance, e-mail delivery, mobile apps, social media and database marketing. She is a cum laude graduate of Millersville University where she earned a B.A. in English and Journalism. Browne also has an M.S. in Internet Systems from the University of Liverpool in the UK.

Carl Doney, Art Director/Production Manager – Doney brings over 20 years of graphic design and art direction experience with both print and electronic media platforms. His expertise lies primarily in creating memorable deliverables that maximize audience engagement. In his previous position with Games Magazine, Doney was responsible for the look and feel of the magazine and its collateral publications. He is a cum laude graduate of Kutztown University where he earned a B.F.A. in Communication Design.

Megen Donovan, Associate Editor/ABF Journal and Monitor – Donovan is a recent new hire who is expected to bring new energy and vitality to both the print publications and online assets. Donovan previously worked as an editorial and marketing intern for SmartCEO Publishing. She graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Mass Communications and Political Science.

Rita Garwood, Financial/Administration, Xander Media Group, Q Group – Garwood is a recent new hire who provides administrative and financial assistance to both Xander Media Group and Q Group, a leadership and personal development affiliate. Garwood was previously an office manager, legal assistant and paralegal at The Law Office of Barbara H. Beringer for five years. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania where she earned a B.A. in English/Professional Writing.

Promotions:

Amanda Gutshall, Editor/ABF Journal – Gutshall joined Xander Media Group in 2006 as an associate editor and over the past six years has provided editorial support for both the ABF Journal and its companion website abfjournal. She has been instrumental in establishing the ABF Journal as a leading publication in the asset-based lending and factoring industry. She also had led abfjournal’s daily and weekly e-news delivery, and has written numerous articles for the ABF Journal and Monitor magazines.

Gutshall’s previous experience includes senior editor with Construction Equipment Guide and associate editor with Progressive Business Publications. She earned a B.A. in Mass Communications from Lock Haven University and has a Master’s degree in English & Publishing from Rosemont College.

Lisa Goetz, Editor/Monitor – Goetz joined Xander Media Group in 2011 as an associate editor. Since joining the company, she has been responsible for managing the editorial process supporting both the delivery of the Monitorprint and digital publications and the monitordaily daily and weekly e-news distribution. Goetz has also written numerous article for both the Monitorand ABF Journal publications.

Goetz’s previous experience includes positions as legal writer/editor with the May Law Group and managing editor at the National Institute for Newman Studies. She earned a B.A. in Nonfiction Writing and an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Ph.D. in English Literature from Duquesne University.

Rosemont, PA-based Xander Media Group is the owner and publisher of the Monitor and ABF Journal trade publications and monitordaily and abfjournal websites. The Monitor and monitordaily have been serving the equipment finance and leasing industry since 1974. The ABF Journal and abfjournal have been serving the asset-based lending and factoring industries since 2001.