About Us

BOOK PUBLISHING PROFESSIONALS

At Jenkins Group, telling stories is a huge part of what we do. Whether it’s helping you tell your story through ghostwriting, telling the story of the book you’ve written through an effective marketing campaign, or in this case, telling our own story so you can be confident in our partnership. 

As you’ll learn in the following sections, Jenkins Group is a place made of stories—that of our inception, those of our talented professionals, and even the history of our office building.

Our Mission

The book publishing professionals of Jenkins Group, Inc. are focused on just one goal: to make your vision our mission. We are America’s premier independent book publishing services firm and have achieved this status through a series of targeted and highly successful solutions.

With integrity, responsiveness, and a detailed straightforward presentation, Jenkins Group provides the best menu of custom book publishing services for independent and small press book publishers available anywhere. We serve a local, national, and international clientele and hope that your book project can soon become our next mission.

Our Office

Jenkins Group, Inc. is located in Traverse City, Michigan, at the base of Lake Michigan’s beautiful Grand Traverse Bay. Our offices occupy the vintage Tru-Fit Trouser Factory building. Where our publishing professionals now make books, members of the United Garment Workers of America manufactured police and postal carrier uniforms during the 1940s and 1950s. The refurbished building has a modern industrial feel which offers a creative space and unique working environment for both our clients and our staff.

Our Staff

Jerry

Jerrold R. Jenkins

Founder & CEO
231.883.5365 | Send an Email

Jerrold Jenkins founded Jenkins Group in 1988 as Publisher’s Design Service and Publisher’s Distribution Service. In 1994, Jerry sold his interest in Publisher’s Distribution Service, retaining his interest and position as owner and president of Publisher’s Design Service. In 1995, the corporate name became Jenkins Group, Inc., adding new staff and purchasing SmallPress magazine, now known as Independent Publisher Online. He also began two publishing imprints, Rhodes and Easton—under which he co-authored and published Publish to Win! and Inside the Bestsellers—and Sage Creek Press. It was the work with these imprints that gave rise to custom book publishing. Much of his time today is dedicated to working with corporate and special markets clients. Jerry continues to work as a consultant to many publishers and speaks throughout the country on the art of independent book publishing and the marketing opportunities that abound. This work has shaped the company’s future. To meet the needs of the many publishers he has spoken with, Jerry created the Special Markets Division, which has led to affordable services for any publisher. A graduate of Alma College, Jenkins worked as a financial and investment management group account executive before his publishing career.

Jerry’s most recent books include The Independent Publisher and Supercharge Your Brand.

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Jim

Jim Kalajian

President & COO
231.933.0445 ext. 1006

Jim provides overall leadership and oversight to daily operations, whether they are customer-related or back-office-oriented. He joined Jenkins Group in 1999, bringing more than 10 years of operational and organizational change experience from the leading consulting firm, Accenture. Jim applies his skills in finance, information technology, process management, human resources, and communication to all teams within the Jenkins organization. He is a specialist in problem-solving, project planning, change management, and quantitative analysis to ensure the company is constantly improving, both in the eyes of its clients and employees.

Jim holds a B.S. in Engineering Arts from Michigan State University.

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Leah

Leah Nicholson

Book Production Manager
231.933.0445 ext. 1015

Leah Nicholson manages the production aspects of all custom book publishing at Jenkins Group. For each of the company’s projects, Leah directs a wealth of talented professionals, including designers, editors, writers, and printers, in their day-to-day activities. Leah was in charge of all book editorial and text design during her first five years with Jenkins Group. With a strong focus on customer service, attention to detail, and years of publishing experience, Leah’s drive and determination are great assets to the Jenkins Group.

Leah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Professional Writing from Grand Valley State University.

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Yvonne

Yvonne Fetig Roehler

Creative Director
231.933.0445 ext. 1002

Yvonne brings a passion for books along with a diverse skill set to each project. She worked as a graphic designer and communications specialist for 15 years before working for 10 years in the grand format print industry. She is committed to providing vision and direction with a personal touch to each book design. Her professional experience ranges from multibillion-dollar companies to one-man operations.

Yvonne has a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. in Mass Communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She has completed 10 years of independent study in the areas of fine art and design.

Yvonne serves on the board of directors for The Children’s House, an independent Montessori school, and The Crescent Advisory Board for the Gamma Phi Beta sorority alumni magazine.

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Amy

Amy Shamroe

Book Awards Director
231.933.2934

Amy has been with Jenkins Group for more than 15 years now. Books have always been a huge part of her life, and her favorite thing about her job is connecting with authors and hearing their stories! Contact her for questions about book award categories, deadlines, the process, or other awards opportunities.

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Emily

Emily Slater

Distribution Specialist & Book Awards Assistant
231.360.2954

Emily has been with Jenkins Group since 2021, working in both Book Awards and Book Distribution. Her degree in communications, coupled with a lifelong love of books, drives her passion for connecting people and their stories to a broader audience.

She enjoys spending time with family and friends and connecting with her local community through volunteer work. She and her husband are co-circus wranglers of four kids and three pony-sized dogs.

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Allison

Allison Roberts

Marketing Manager
231.360.2938

Allison is a seasoned professional in the book publishing space who adeptly navigates the dynamic landscape of marketing for Jenkins Group. As the orchestrator of all things marketing, she brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to the team.

With an MBA degree from Northern Kentucky University, Allison has honed her strategic and analytical skills, enabling her to craft effective marketing campaigns that resonate with our target audience. Her education also includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Northern Michigan University, where she first developed her passion for the field.

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Katherine

Katherine Casaccia

Marketing Specialist
231.360.2519

Katherine is a skilled marketing professional with a strong background in digital marketing, bringing a creative and strategic approach to her role as the Marketing Specialist for Jenkins Group.

With a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Michigan State University, she combines her expertise in communications with her passion for storytelling to craft impactful campaigns in the dynamic world of book publishing.

Katherine manages the promotion of Jenkins Group’s various book awards, leveraging her skills in branding, social media, and lead generation to ensure each program garners attention and engagement.

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BOOKS WE'VE BROUGHT TO LIFE

Ready to get serious about your book project?

Connect with Jerry Jenkins and our team of book publishing professionals to get started.