Karen has been in the college bookstore industry since 1988, when she started working at The ‘Berg Bookshop at Muhlenberg College, located in Allentown, PA.

If you are wondering what “CCR” after her name means, (Certified Collegiate Retailer) it is a designation granted from NACS that she earned in May 2006. That same year, Karen was the Chairperson of the Super Regional when MACS, NYCSA, and CSNE joined forces. Karen joined the MACS (Mid Atlantic College Stores) Board in 2013 as Treasurer, and became President in 2016-17. She is still involved on the MACS Board, serving as Secretary and Communications Chair.

As far as her history with NEBC, that began somewhere around 1999, when a friend talked her into joining because of the great benefits the store could gain for such a low membership cost. Several years later, Karen started attending the vendor review meetings, and watched them grow into the fabulous trade shows which we know today.

Joining the Board in 2018, she has now accepted the opportunity to serve as President. She still has the same feelings about NEBC – that it’s “a great organization which benefits the store, plus the people are all so nice. It’s a pleasure to work with them! I look forward to working on and at the show next year with Terry and David to make your experience as good as it can be.”

Catherine Johnson has served as the General Manager of the University Store at USM since 2015. She studied English at the University of Southern Maine and began working at the store in 2001 as a student worker. In 2003 she moved into a "Bookstore Assistant" role, and by 2006 was a "Bookstore Coordinator".

As a Coordinator, she assumed the responsibility of buying imprinted merchandise for the store and carried that responsibility into her role of Manager as well.

"As a new buyer in 2006, I was shown the basics but it wasn't until I started attending NEBC and talking to other buyers that I really learned the ins and outs of buying for a store; how to navigate a buying show, when to take risks, when to play it safe, how to move out old merchandise to make room for the new, and different ways to market products. The contacts that I have made by being a part of NEBC have helped me be successful at my job."

Rich has been in the college store industry since 1984. Starting out as a seasonal temporary employee with the Syracuse University Bookstore at their Utica College branch store. Rich managed several Syracuse branch stores before leaving to become manager of the Cayuga Community College Bookstore in the fall of 1994. In spring of 2001, Rich became the manager of the Wells College Bookstore, now known as Wells College Campus Store. Rich supervises a staff of one, himself.

Rich earned his CSP (College Store Professional) designation in 2000 and CCR (Certified Store Professional) designation in 2005, both through the National Association of College Stores (NACS).

Rich was President of the former College Stores Association of New York State (CSANYS) in 2001-2002 and again in 2009-2010. He has served on many committees for CSANYS and a few for NACS.

Rich became active in NEBC in the late 1990’s. Then serving as a director from 1999-2000 and again from 2004-2006. Rich has been NEBC’s treasurer since 2006.He has attended nearly every annual meeting since 1999, watching the meetings grow to become what it is today.

In 2022 Rich became a director for NCSA (Northeast Campus Stores Association).

Rich is also active in his community where he is currently a member of the following organizations: Auburn Rotary (director, web master, past treasurer), Knights of Columbus, Council #207 (web master, past treasurer), Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ukrainian National Club, and St Alphonsus Church (past Parish Council member).

Rich and his wife have been married since 1991. They have two grown daughters.

Dan Mostad has served as the General Manager of Asbury Inn & Suites & Director of Auxiliary Services at Asbury Theological Seminary for 17 years overseeing the Campus Hotel, Weddings & Meetings programs, Dining Services, the Campus Switchboard, and Post Office and Campus Store. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administrations/System from Taylor University and a Leadership degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.

Dan enjoys innovating, implementing efficiencies to processes and systems, project management, all the while maintaining a warmth and love for hospitality and people. He loves NEBC and appreciates the opportunities to procure great deals as well as connect with others within the Campus Store industry. He is happily married to his wife of 17 years and has two children, 12 and 10.

Charli has been in the college bookstore industry since 1998, when she started working at UNMC Bookstore in Omaha, NE. She started out as a cashier working with technology products and was promoted to Assistant Manager and then Manager. During her years at UNMC, she joined Mid-States Association of College Stores Board as a Director and also held the Treasurer position.

In 2010, she moved to Jamestown, NY and was the Director of Campus Stores for Jamestown Community College. During her time at JCC, in April 20155, she earned her CCR designation from NACS. She also volunteered on the Conference Program Committee for CCRA, (a division of NACS). In July 2016, she moved to Rochester, NY and is the Manager of the MCC Bookstores. She has been on the Northeast Campus Stores Association Board as Clerk since 2019. During her tenure at JCC, was when she became a store member and started attending NEBC shows.

In 2023, she joins the NEBC board as a Director. She is very excited to work with everyone in the NEBC community: board members, store members, and vendors. This is a great group of people. Everyone can benefit from being a member of NEBC.

Greg began his career in the industry in 1990 at MBS (Missouri Book Services) in his hometown of Columbia, MO as a temporary summer worker. After a couple months he became a full time employee and was cross trained in many different jobs in the warehouse. His knowledge led him to eventually becoming a Team Leader on the floor and then a department supervisor. Greg then moved up to the Inventory Control department where he also became a supervisor.

After 10 years at MBS, he moved to St. Louis to take the position of Campus Store Director at MICDS (Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School), a position he still holds today. He has guided his K-12 institutional store through several improvements over the years.

Greg has always promoted the K-12 stores at conferences, trade shows and classes over the last couple decades. He works to keep the K-12 community visible to vendors to give them opportunities for their campus stores. Seeking another opportunity for the K-12 small stores, Greg attended his first NEBC show in 2016. It's a "can't miss opportunity" with the low membership fee and a chance to see vendors that might not be seen at other shows.

"I'm glad to be part of this organization and help build for future opportunities of the NEBC membership."

Jennifer started in the college bookstore industry in 2008 at the College of the Holy Cross. She was hired as the operations specialist having worked in the retail flooring and clothing business for 17 years prior. In 2013 she was promoted to Assistant Director of the Bookstore. Along with managing much of the daily operations and expenses she began assisting with the merchandise buying and started to attend shows such as CAMEX and NEBC. These shows have become crucial in growing as a buyer and a leader in her role at the Bookstore.

In 2017 she earned her CRM (Collegiate Retailing Management Certificate) through the National Association of College Stores (NACS).

Jennifer enjoys spending time with her daughters, cooking and crafting. Her happy place is Wells, Maine, where you can find her with her dog, Roz, in her Jeep named Tip’ Sea, at the beach.

Barb Shutt started in the bookstore industry at Broadside Books, a literary trade book store in Northampton, MA. In her days at Broadside she read close to 100 books a year so as to be able to make recommendations to customers. She came to Colby College in Waterville, ME in 1994, and has served as the Book Division Manager, Assistant Director, and Director.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics from Smith College in Northampton MA. In addition to serving on the NEBC board as a Board member and the Secretary, Barb has been the Chair of the NACS Retail Technology Task Force.

Barb enjoys time with family and her elderly cat Pip. She is a fan of The Great British Baking show, sometimes attempting the recipes herself, and is an extra class ham radio operator.

April has been in the college store industry since 2008, when she joined the Washington and Lee University Store as the Assistant Non-Book Manager. She attended every CAMEX show from 2008 until 2021. After the Connect2One buying group dissolved, she researched other buying groups and the store settled on NEBC. Her store joined on February 8, 2018, and in one vendor meeting the very next day they recouped their membership fee in just a couple of orders. The savings for the buying group were and still are transparent, easy to calculate and quantifiable. They haven’t looked back since.

April became the Non-Book Manager in 2012, the Associate Director in 2019 and in July 2023 she became the Director of her campus store.

This is April’s 2nd year on the NEBC Board and she loves what she does in this industry and has continued her predecessors model of creating an organized and efficient store team. She is always willing to share any knowledge with others in the industry to help them perform better and remain institutionally owned.

“Being a member of NEBC is not just about the savings from our vendor partners but about the partnerships and collaboration among other stores and vendors. We all have knowledge we can share and passing along what we have learned to newbies in this industry is our duty. The Annual Tradeshow and Board meetings are informative, beneficial and a great opportunity to get to know others in the industry and save your institutions a great deal of money.”

Manager Maria College Campus Store. Maria College is located in Albany, NY

I have worked at Maria College for 24 years, I am also the Treasurer for Northeast Campus Stores Association.

Moses Brown School, Providence, RI

Brendan Andrews is the Assistant Director at the University of Vermont Bookstore, one of New England’s largest independent collegiate bookstores. In his current role, he oversees all emblematic and technology purchasing and sales, manages front end, shipping, and receiving operations, and leads special projects for the Bookstore.

His first experience in the industry was as a work-study student at the Brewer Bookstore at St. Lawrence University. Brendan began working at the UVM Bookstore in 2007 as a temporary cashier before being hired as the General Merchandise Manager in 2009.

At UVM, Brendan has served on the University’s Staff Council in multiple roles from 2012-2021, including as an at-large representative, committee chair and vice chair, and parliamentarian. He currently is a member of the Division of Finance and Administration’s Inclusive Excellence committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Government from St. Lawrence University and master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Vermont.

Brendan has served as a Director of NEBC since June 2018 and looks forward to contributing to the continued success of this unique buying group.

Charles Wilson began his career at Gaston College in April of 1996. As Director of Bookstore and Food Services, Charles manages bookstore services and coordinates food and vending services for three (3) campuses.

Upon his arrival in 1996, Charles initiated and implemented point of sales software and introduced college store management systemsintegrating technology with bookstore sales.

Charles continues to promote affordable course material options for Gaston College students. Over the years, this has evolved from new, used, and rental textbooks to e-books and digital platforms. He launched Inclusive Access program through VitalSource allowing students to purchase digital books that are paid as a course fee and day one accessibility on the first day of class.

Charles represents the Bookstore and Gaston College at state, regional, and national association meetings. He has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President for the College Stores Association of North Carolina (CSA-NC). He has also served on the small stores committee and volunteered for the National Association of College Stores (NACS). Presently, he proudly serves as president of New England Buying Consortium (NEBC)

Charles serves on numerous Gaston College committees including the executive council, calendar, enrollment, registration, and scholarship committees. He has held the position of Secretary, Vice President and President for Staff Senate. Charles has also assisted in hiring key college personnel over the years.

Charles successfully transitioned the College from an in-house cafeteria to a leased café to food truck services. Presently, Chick-Fila is serving on the main campus. He works with faculty, staff and students to offer healthy vending choices.

Charles and his staff orchestrated the introduction and sales of Rhino merchandise in support of our new athletic program. The new Rhino Shop/Bookstore opened last fall with expanded services for the Gaston College community.

Terry Murphy was the store manager at Holyoke Community College in Massachusetts in 1992 when he invited other New England store colleagues to a meeting to discuss forming a buying group. In June of that year, NEBC was started with 13 store members, and over the past 31 years has seen growth with store membership in 37 states, and currently 83 vendor partners. He served as president of NEBC from 1992-2006, and came back in this administrative role after retiring from HCC in November 2010.

Prior to his retirement from HCC, Terry was active in the College Stores of New England and the National Association of College Stores. He served as president of CSNE from 1988-1990, and facilitated professional development seminars for NACS from 1989-2000. In 2006, he received the Aspen Award for his efforts to promote enhanced professionalism in the store industry.

David began his college bookstore career in 1974 in Champaign Illinois, not knowing that it would become his career until his retirement from the industry in 2020. Over the next 45+ years, he worked at leased, private, as well as institutional stores. Beginning as a textbook department stock clerk, David worked up through the ranks, and spent the last 20 years of his career at the University of Rio Grande in Southeast Ohio, as the bookstore manager. David had been involved at board level with the Ohio Association of College Stores, as well as a NACS committee over the years.

David’s affiliation with NEBC began around 2001 when as the-new experienced store manager at the Rio Grande Bookstore they first joined NEBC. The benefit of saving money for the store, as well as the networking opportunities made the decision to joinNEBC a ‘no-brainer’! The connection with NEBC developed into serving on the board of directors, and then to finish as board president prior to his retirement. Terry Murphy offered me the opportunity to continue to serve the member stores on a part-time basis for a couple of years, and that has turned into an Assistant Administrator position. “I get such a sense of gratitude and accomplishment when chatting with store buyers and vendor partner reps – just to hear and know that NEBC helps makes the buying process and relationship a win-win for everyone!”

David lives in southeast Ohio with his wife, Patricia. They enjoy RV travel, church involvement, and spoiling their three grandsons. Retirement allows David to be involved in other interests, and hopes to be able to continue the legacy of NEBC and help other store buyers understand and see the benefits of NEBC store membership, especially the benefit that comes from attending the annual meeting and tradeshow.