The new head of the Oni Press sales team is a former retailer with 14 years’ experience in the industry.

Michael Torma, who is joining Oni as their Senior Sales Manager, was the General Manager of Third Eye Comics at its flagship location in Annapolis, Maryland.  Torma came to the store, a 2011 Eisner Spirit of Retailing nominee, in 2009.  At Oni Press, he will be responsible for expanding the publisher’s footprint in the direct market as well as the book channel and library market, improving communication and support services for retailers, and working directly with Oni’s distributors, Diamond Comics Distributors, Lunar Distribution, and Simon & Schuster.

"Adding a veteran comic shop retailer with Torma's depth of knowledge and experience is an invaluable asset for a publisher of Oni's reach and stature," said Hunter Gorinson, President and Publisher of the Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group, in a statement accompanying the announcement.  "Torma will be a key addition to Oni's growing and multi-faceted team as we fortify our plans for the future."

Oni also announced the promotion of Editor Desiree Rodriguez to Digital Marketing Manager.  Rodriguez, who edited the Eisner Award-winning anthology Puerto Rico Strong, will work with Oni’s creators, editors, and marketing team to promote the publisher’s comics and graphic novel catalog across all platforms.

Earlier this week, Oni announced that they had hired Sierra Hahn as Editor in Chief (see “People on the Move”).