Jim Sirak, general partner. Jim started his bookselling career many years ago as a sales representative for Western Publishing, followed by a stint as a sales representative for Merriam Webster. He then became sales manager for FSG. He started his own sales representative firm, Sirak & Sirak Associates in 1980. Jim brings nearly 40 years of bookselling experience to NPR.

Lisa Sirak, general partner. Lisa worked as a bookseller at an independent bookstore in the Philadelphia area before meeting and marrying Jim Sirak and becoming an independent representative as the other half of Sirak & Sirak Associates.

Bill Palizzolo, general partner. Bill has been in the book business since 1977. He learned the business by owning and operating two bookstores in Massachusetts for 8 years before becoming a sales representative with Goldman & Associates in 1986. The company was renamed Billbooks & Associates in 1999. Bill was named the New England Booksellers Association sales representative of the year for 2005.

Frank Porter, sales associate. Frank started his bookselling career in 1976 and has since held just about every type of bookselling position there is, including store owner, publishing sales manager, bookseller, and buyer at various independent bookshops, and sales representative for three independent publishers representative groups.

Ray Chateauneuf, sales associate. Ray spent 22 years with Pearson Technology as a field sales rep and National Accounts Manager. He was most recently a field sales rep for Simon and Schuster calling on accounts throughout New England.