Introducing. . .PATRICK GERBER

Title/Position/responsibilities at Barbour:
Data and Internet Content Manager--
My duties consist of updating and maintaining all of Barbour’s email campaigns and websites, www.heartsongpresents.com, www.barbourbooks.com, and www.humblecreek.com. I am responsible for making sure all of our titles are accurately represented on other website like Amazom.com. Recently, I have started working with our sales department creating sales presentations, and I am helping implement Barbour’s new content management software.

How long have you worked at Barbour?
I have worked at Barbour for 2 years. (2 of the best years of my life – and no, I’m not sucking up!)

What has been the biggest change (hopefully positive!) you’ve seen in your years with the company?
I have noticed a lot of positive changes here at Barbour since I started… I think the communication between departments has improved by leaps and bounds, and as a result we are all better at our individual jobs. I am also very excited for the new software we are preparing to implement here at Barbour… it should make everyone’s lives a lot easier.

What are your dreams for Barbour’s near future? (Next five years.)
My dreams for Barbour in the near future are for us to continue to build a strong community of readers and authors through online initiatives, as well as utilizing technology to reach new readers. (A Sneak Preview of Upcoming Changes: online quizzes and more free stories and recipes at www.heartsongpresents.com, a social network of authors and readers through www.shoutlife.com, a fully-functional e-commerce website, and new websites for all of our book clubs!)

What is your favorite task associated with your job description? Least favorite?
My favorite tasks at work are related to web design and programming. I am a newbie to the web design scene, but I love what I have learned so far. My least favorite duty is developing the materials for our sales presentations (but ssshhhh… don’t tell our VP of sales, Bill Westfall. Haha.)

Are there any areas under your supervision in which you’re actively searching for new projects?
We are currently exploring new ways to engage our book club members with special offers and opportunities, as well as designing and planning our new ecommerce website.

What project is consuming your energies this month?
This month I have been busy preparing to implement our new content management software. I know ‘content management software’ sounds really boring, but I’m giddy with excitement over it, which might mean I’m a nerd. ;)

Do you ever find time to read for pleasure? If so, what book have you read recently?
I have been reading mostly web design books lately – yup, I’m a nerd. Also, I just finished reading an awesome book called How Soccer Explains the World, which I highly recommend even if you don’t like soccer...and if you don’t like soccer please watch this… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQeZBEPaOCE and change your opinion...

Can you tell us briefly about your family?
Everyone in my family is in education, which makes me the black sheep. My Dad was my middle school principal and is now a superintendent, my mom teaches elementary special education, and my sister and brother-in-law are both middle school math teachers. So not surprisingly, I started off as an education major in college, but have since left the ‘family business’ and am taking classes at Kent State University in marketing.

What church do you attend?
I just started attending the First Church of the Nazarene in New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you these days?
I have two quotes that have been stuck in my head lately… 1) “If music be the food of love, play on.” – Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
And 2) “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:8