Comic and book business veteran Kuo-Yu Liang has joined the board of directors of the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, the organization announced.  Liang brings extensive background in the comics business (16 years at Diamond building Diamond Book Distributors), a welcome addition to the board of the organization that is administering large amounts of aid to comic retailers (see "Binc Distributing Over $950,000 to Comic Stores").

Prior to his time at Diamond, Liang spent 13 years at Random House, ending as Associate Publisher.  Liang was most recently at event company ReedPOP, which ended last November (see "Big Company Execs on the Move").  He’s now formed pop culture publishing consultancy Ku Worldwide.

"The depth and breadth of knowledge that he brings from the book and comics industries is immensely valuable as we help booksellers and comic retailers to navigate the volatile retail landscape," Binc Executive Director Pamela French said of Liang’s addition to the board.

"Having the opportunity to serve on the Binc board is a privilege to give back to the industry that has given me so much," Liang said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

Two Binc board members, Jen Reynolds and Lori Tucker-Sullivan, are leaving the board.  Binc also announced that Kera Yonker, formerly of PGW, Oxford University Press, Perseus Books Group and others, has joined the organization as Development Director.