Key Contacts | Management Team | Citations Established in 1982, Chinaberry, Inc. presently employs more than 50 full-time workers and generates more than $9 million in annual sales worldwide. A core team of 10 managers manages the day-to-day operations of the firm. Management’s culture is open-book and participatory. All managers and employees participate in the financial success of the company. These individuals, in addition to our three-member Board of Directors govern Chinaberry, Inc. Key executives include: Ann Ruethling, Founder, Shareholder, Board of Directors In 1982, new mom and former airline marketing director, Ann Ruethling couldn’t find suitable children’s books emphasizing such positive messages as peace, cooperation, and universal goodwill. So she launched Chinaberry Book Service from her kitchen table. Since then, the company has gone from selling a handful of books stored on two shelves in her daughter’s bedroom, to selling more than one million books a year worldwide from a modern 23,000 square foot warehouse and office facility. As Founder of Chinaberry, Inc., Ms. Ruethling remains vitally involved with the company’s day-to-day operations and activities. As Vice President of Creative and Merchandising of both the Chinaberry and Isabella catalogs, she is responsible for the vision, content and merchandising of every issue, as well as overseeing copy, book and product reviews, and the creative image and presentation of each new catalog. In addition, she oversees all product development, pricing, vendor relations, buyer supervision, inventory control, and merchandising performance. A graduate of St. Louis University with a degree in Sociology, Ann is the mother of two children. She is active in the American Bookseller Association, the Southern California Booksellers Association, the Audio Publishers Association, and the Educational Paperback Association. Ann has received numerous awards in recognition of her business success and for her mission to offer books and items to support families in raising their children with love, honesty, and joy. Chinaberry Audio, a joint project with Listening Library, a division of Random House and publisher of unabridged audio books for children and young adults, recently earned awards from the American Library Association. Edward J. Ruethling, President, Shareholder, Board of Directors Ed Ruethling is a founding partner of Chinaberry Inc. As the firm's president from 1984 to 1998, Mr. Ruethling oversaw Chinaberry's growth from $121,000 in sales in 1985 to $5,000,000 in sales for 1998. Mr. Ruethling has recently taken the helm once again. He is responsible for implementation of both short and long-term marketing plans, as well as profitability of marketing campaigns. Mr. Ruethling has more than 25 years of business management experience. Prior to the founding of Chinaberry, Inc., he owned and operated both a general contracting business and a retail bakery. He holds a BA Degree in Psychology from St. Louis University. Mary Jo Ray, Controller, Shareholder, Board of Directors Ms. Mary Jo Ray controls the financial aspects of the company. She has been with the company since 2001 and has worked in corporate finance for more than 20 years. Ms. Ray graduated from San Diego State University with a BS in Management - Accounting. After passing the CPA exam, she became Vice President of Flagship Savings Bank, Controller of National Home Mortgage Corporation and then a principal in a local financial consulting firm. Prior to becoming a mother of two boys, Ms. Ray was very active in Rotary and currently represents Chinaberry in a local Rotary club. Patti Pitcher, Director of Creative and Merchandising, Shareholder As Director of Creative and Merchandising, Ms. Patti Pitcher is involved with the production and content of both the Chinaberry and Isabella catalogs, including product development, product pricing, catalog design and production, and copy writing. Ms. Pitcher has been with Chinaberry for more than 13 years, first working as a consultant to the firm, then coming aboard as an executive and partner. She holds a BA in Psychology and a BA in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz, as well as a Teaching Certification from the University of Utah with an emphasis in Reading and Science. A mother of four children, Ms. Pitcher and her husband reside in Snoqualmie, Washington, where they earned the Washington State Environmental Family of the Year award.