Bill Conine of Mission Viejo Calif., who has a 30-year history in the Christian products industry, has been named as the new vice president of sales for Charisma House, effective Aug. 9.

In his new role, Conine will oversee sales of all Charisma House products, including its publishing imprints and curriculum division.

"We are both excited by Bill Conine joining Strang Communications and delighted to have this caliber executive on our staff," said Stephen Strang, publisher of Charisma House and CEO of its parent company, Strang Communications. "This move demonstrates the continued growth we've experienced over the last year and a half and we expect Bill to bring us to even higher levels."

Conine started his Christian product industry career nearly 30 years ago with Word Entertainment. He later joined Sparrow Records in 1980 as vice president of sales and marketing, then started his first company, pioneering a direct-to-consumer fundraising program called Praise Company. After serving at Maranatha! Music and Frontline Records, he formed Diamante Music Group in 1993, which is credited with helping to launch P.O.D., Crystal Lewis, Sixpence None The Richer, MxPx and The O.C. Supertones.

He comes to Strang from Butterfly International Distribution where he acted as a management consultant, where he worked with distribution partners and store accounts after selling Diamante to Butterfly in 2002.

Tom Marin, vice president of marketing and sales at Strang, who has seen an increase of nearly 150% in the sales of publishing imprint Charisma House, will continue in his role as vice president of marketing, while Conine picks up Charisma House sales responsibilities.

Besides Charisma House, Strang Communications is the publisher of numerous other brands including seven magazines, such as Christian Retailing.

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