The Baker & Taylor management team is passionate about our company, both its rich history and its future as a leader in the digital media age. Our leaders are top-notch in their respective fields and they truly love books and entertainment. If you ever talk with them about the industry or maybe what they are reading or downloading, don't expect a short conversation!
President and CEO | Amandeep Kochar
Aman is President and CEO of Baker & Taylor. He is responsible for leading global public and academic library sales, supply chain, technology, partnership strategy and publisher relations and the overall P&L. Aman also takes on global product engineering and International Operations for Baker & Taylor.
He joined Baker & Taylor in 2014 and served as EVP and General Manager before becoming CEO and President with the divesture from Follett Corporation in 2021. Prior to Baker & Taylor, Aman was Chief Product Officer/SVP Product Development with McGraw-Hill. Aman has a Master's degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor's Degree in Technology. Aman was recognized with EdTech Digest's 2021 Global Leader award and is the leader of the private investment group that operates Baker & Taylor.
Aman's favorite books are Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss and Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling.
Jagdeep Kochar | Managing Director Baker & Taylor IT Services India
Jagdeep joined Baker & Taylor in August 2022 and leads Few Key Global Strategic Initiatives & all functions across Baker & Taylor IT Services India.
Previously, Jagdeep has worked in some of the Top IT Services Organizations like Infosys, Wipro, HCL & Tech Mahindra and has an extensive Sales, Digital Transformation, Operations & Consulting experience across Banking & Financial Services, Digital Media, Internet Publishing, Entertainment, Manufacturing, Automobile and Back Office Operations.
Jagdeep has a Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) from Mumbai University and is an Alumni of IMT Ghaziabad where he completed his Post Graduation in Business Management. Outside of work, Jagdeep likes to spend time with his family and is an avid Food blogger.
Chief Financial Officer | Steven Hennen
Steven Hennen is CFO at Baker & Taylor. He brings over 20 years of experience and is a Certified Public Accountant. Most recently, Steve was Vice President of Finance and Accounting at Red Ventures. Steve’s reporting structure includes finance operations, business transformation, AP/AR, treasury, and tax, along with corporate finance and field accounting.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Marquette University.
Outside of work, Steve spends time with his wife and two children and loves to travel. His favorite destination is Hawaii and his favorite book is Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
Kim Jardine | Managing Director, James Bennett (APAC region)
Kim joined James Bennett in 2009 having worked previously for global groups Otis International, Canon, and ADP across Africa, UK and Australia.
He has worked and managed a number of departments since joining the organization with a core focus on systems productivity and strategic growth in the APAC region.
Kim holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems.
Outside of family and work, Kim has a keen passion for ultra-endurance sporting events. Kim's favorite biographies are Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing and Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela.
Eric McGarvey joined Baker & Taylor in 2008, holding a number of roles and responsibilities within the Merchandise Buying and Inventory Planning organizations over that time. Currently, Eric's responsibilities include all aspects of Baker & Taylor's supply chain, from publisher/supplier relations, purchasing and inventory management, business support and network utilization in addition to Publisher Services. Prior to Baker & Taylor, Eric worked in buying and inventory planning at Zainy-Brainy, Electronics Boutique, KOHLs and Blue Tulip.
Eric earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Delaware.
Eric spends as much time as possible outside Baker & Taylor in Bucks County Pennsylvania with his wife and two children. He is an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, and occasionally has the pleasure of rereading the classics such as The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, an all-time favorite.
Jim Smith | SVP Sales
Jim has been with Baker & Taylor for almost three decades. He began his career in our Momence Service Center immediately after college and has held various sales and operational roles across the enterprise. In his current role, he oversees all sales across the academic and public library markets. He is focused on the sales process, customer retention, and new market development.
Jim has a bachelor’s degree in history from Ball State University.
He enjoys reading nonfiction. Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan by Eiji Yoshikawa is a favorite.
Brad Lucas | S.V.P. Commercial Finance
Brad joined Baker & Taylor in 1999, holding various financial roles prior to his current role. Currently, Brad’s responsibilities include oversight of library customer bids and pricing, the company's budgeting and forecasting processes, financial analysis, financial systems, CRM initiatives, and sales commission plans and projects in support of the CEO and leadership team. Brad also serves as secretary of the Company's Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Baker & Taylor, Brad was Director Corporate Finance & Capital Planning at Sea-Land Service, Inc. where he held roles of increasing responsibility including Director, Finance & Planning – Americas Division.
Brad earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Minor in Management Information Systems from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Brad also holds an MBA from Queens University.
Outside of work, Brad enjoys outdoor activities including tennis, skiing and annual Canadian fishing trips. Brad's favorite book is Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff.
Whitney Bretzman | V.P. Marketing and New Products
Whitney Bretzman joined Baker & Taylor in 2009. During her tenure with Baker & Taylor, she’s held several marketing and communication roles. As VP of Marketing and New Products, her team manages all strategic marketing, communications and branding support across the company. Additionally, Whitney leads efforts to conceptualize and launch new products and services.
Prior to Baker & Taylor, she held corporate communications and marketing positions at Hughes Supply and HD Supply, a division of The Home Depot.
Whitney has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising and Public Relations from The University of Central Florida.
Whitney loves to read and discover new favorites, a definite perk of working at Baker & Taylor. But her all-time favorite is a classic, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.