PURCHASING CONTACTS BY PRODUCT LINE

DIAMOND'S PURCHASING DEPARTMENT

Bill Schanes, Vice President of Purchasing, (410) 560-7112, ext. 234 - Bill is ultimately responsible for Diamond’s product selection. Bill has over 30 years experience in comics retailing, distribution and publishing. (He co-founded the legendary independent Pacific Comics, which published comics by Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and Dave Stevens, among others.) Bill joined Diamond in 1985 and is highly regarded throughout the industry for his ability to work with suppliers to provide retailers with on-time delivery of the products they want at competitive prices.

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John Wurzer, Executive Director of Purchasing, (410) 560-7112, ext. 223 - John has over 25 years of management experience, and has used his expertise in both organizational and data management to make Diamond's Purchasing Team work for you. John joined the company in 1989 as Office Manager for Diamond's DallasDistributionCenter, and subsequently held the titles of Dallas' Distribution Center Manager, the Regional Manager of Diamond's SpartaDistributionCenter and Star/TRU Inventory Hub and Director of Order Processing.

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Steve Tipton, Data Audit Manager, (410) 560-7112, ext. 213 - Steve worked for Diamond in Distribution Center Operations for almost 10 years, and has extensive knowledge of our receiving, picking, shipping, and inventory procedures.  Steve’s previous titles include Pick Pack Manager in both Memphis and Plattsburgh, as well as Inventory/Replenishment Manager in Memphis.  In his current role, Steve’s knowledge of operations help in answering vendor inquiries regarding inventory auditing and product receiving issues.

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Steve Stoughton, Diamond’s Director of Purchasing — DC Comics, (410) 560-7112, ext. 328 - Steve is responsible for working with DC on products and programs to benefit retailers, and for acting as the primary liaison between Purchasing and Order Processing. His previous experience encompasses both retail management and serving as Manager for one of Diamond’s Distribution Centers. Steve has been with Diamond for 17 years.

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Tom Jones, Director (410) 560-7112, ext. 335 - Tom is the primary liaison between Purchasing and Marvel Enterprises, Inc.. Tom joined Diamond in 2001, after spending 13 years in the Hobby Industry as a Retail Store Manager, Operations Manager, and Purchasing Director.

PRINT TEAM

Jim Kuhoric, Director of Purchasing — Print Team, (410) 560-7112, ext. 173 - Jim supervises the actions of Diamond’s Comics Print Team which includes the following categories: Comics, Graphic Novels, Magazines, and Books.  He joined Diamond in 1994 in the Order Processing Department, before transferring to Purchasing and advancing to the level of Director. Jim has been a comic book enthusiast for more than 25 years and has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland in psychology and sociology.

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Jay Spence, Brand Manger, (410) 560-7112, ext. 272 - Jay is a writer, artist, and filmmaker with a Bachelor’s Degree in film/animation from University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Before coming to Diamond, Jay worked mostly in the video industry and produced short films, music videos, and corporate projects. He currently handles Devil's Due Publishing, Digital Manga, magazines and most comic vendors in N-Y.

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Jim Meyer, Brand Manager — Comics, (410) 560-7112, ext. 269 - Jim Meyer began his Diamond career in the Sales Department before moving to the comics Purchasing team in the fall of 2008.  Vendors starting with the letters E-M, Fantagraphics, Tokyopop, Antarctic Press and Moonstone are among the publishers Jim works with.  A lifelong comic book reader, Jim has a bachelor’s degree in Literature from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.  Away from Diamond, Jim is a writer, actor, sports announcer and touring stand-up comedian.

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Keith Davidsen, Brand Manager — Comics, (410) 560-7112, ext. 240 – Keith joined the Diamond staff in 2005 after serving five years as an editorial director for a small press comic book publisher, in addition to working on various freelance projects as a graphic designer and writer.  He served briefly in the Diamond Sales Department with prospective vendors as a New Accounts Sales Rep before his promotion to supervise a new toy-focused sales team.  In September 2006, Keith joined the Purchasing Department, handling comic book vendors whose company names begin with the letter A, as well as Dynamite Entertainment.

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Kate Henning, Brand Manager — Comics, (410) 560-7112, ext. 404 - Kate joined Diamond in July 2008 after studying English literature and secondary education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus. She handles comic book vendors beginning with the letters B and C, as well as Amaze Ink/SLG Publishing and Arcana Studio.  She also currently shares responsibility for Viz LLC.

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Steve Leaf, Assistant Manager,  — Comics and Books, (410) 560-7112, ext. 331 - A former retailer since the beginning of the Direct Market, Steve also has a Bachelor of Visual Art degree from Georgia State and is one of the co-founders of the Atlanta Comics & Fantasy Fair and the original Atlanta Comic Con of the '70s and '80s.  Steve came to Diamond in 1994 and spent three years working for Customer Service at the AtlantaDistributionCenter. Shortly after transferring from Atlanta to Baltimore as Customer Service Team Leader, Steve joined the Purchasing Department in 1997. Steve covers Dark Horse Comics, Wizard Entertainment, Abstract Studios and Archie Comics as well as Book vendors. He also handles the initial set up of new submissions of comics and graphic novels going through Diamond review process.

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Robert Randle, Assistant Manager, Comics (410) 560-7112, ext. 353 - Robert graduated from the Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore with a Bachelor's Degree in Illustration. He has done a variety of freelance writing and illustration work and was also a chief editor and participant in the MICA Graphic Novel Club. Robert has been at Diamond since July 2001. Robert covers Image Comics and IDW as well comic vendors starting with the letter D. He is also responsible for coordinating the acceptance for publishers and product in the Previews catalog.

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Jessica Miller, Purchasing Representative / Administrative Assistant — Print Team, (410) 560-7112, ext. 377 - Jessica joined Diamond in July 2009. She functions as the primary administrative aide to the print team and looks forward to an exciting new career in the Comic industry.

MERCHANDISE TEAM

Eric Burkhardt, Manager — Merchandise Team, (410) 560-7112 ext. 292 - Eric is responsible for both Diamond’s shipping and archival supply purchasing; and supervises the day-to-day activities of Diamond’s Merchandise Division. Eric joined Diamond part-time in 1984, and came on board full-time in 1989. He served as a General Manager for the company's BaltimoreDistributionCenter and has spent over 20 years learning and serving customer needs.

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Lee Butman, Brand Manager —Domestic Toys, (410) 560-7112, ext. 255 – Lee joined Diamond in 2000, after spending 10 years at retail as a buyer for everything from Comics and Toys to Games and Apparel.

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Tim Huckelbery, Brand Manager — Games, Statues & Models, (410) 560-7112, ext. 253 - Tim joined Diamond in 2007, and after a short stint working in the Print Team is now overseeing the Games area. Before joining he spent 12 years with Games Workshop overseeing Customer Service and Public Relations as well as working in the Design Studio.

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Bryan Kampes, Brand Manager— Collectibles & Novelties, Videos, Prints & Posters, (410) 560-7112, ext. 434  -  Bryan joined Diamond in April of 2007 after working at Upper Chesapeake Health as a shuttle operator/security guard.  He earned a degree in business from Harford Community College and now has assumed the duties of Collectibles & Novelties and Videos Brand Manager.

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Jesse Morgan, Brand Manager —Apparel, Designer Toys, Import Toy & Models, (410) 560-7112, ext. 405 - Jesse joined Diamond in 2007, with a background in music, film & digital media.  He graduated from TowsonUniversity in 2003 with a B.A. in electronic media.  Since joining Diamond, Jesse has handled Brand Manager duties for most Merchandise categories

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Rick Young, Brand Manager — Trading Cards, (909) 740-6487 – Top Line Sales office in Fontana, California – Rick has been selling sports cards for 20 years, including 10 years as a show dealer having traveled the country many times. He entered the distribution side in 1997 and became a member of the Diamond family in the summer of 2001 as manager of Top Line, the sports card division of Diamond Comics. He assumed the duties of Trading Card Brand Manager in September 2007.

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Jen Gallia, Administrative Assistant - (410) 560-7112, ext. 219 - Jen started with Diamond in 2007 in the receiving audit department after studying fine arts and education at Maryland Institute College of Art. She has since moved to administrative assistant of the Toy/Merchandising team and Tom Jones, where she also serves as the primary Marvel support person.

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