The Rev. Laura Mariko Cheifetz will join the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation as executive director of church and public relations, effective June 3, 2013.

In this role, Cheifetz will visit throughout the church to publicly present PPC resources and communicate and interpret their availability and usefulness throughout the PC (USA).  She will work through PC (USA) middle governing bodies, churches and with national staff connections to accomplish these goals.

A key aspect of Cheifetz’s work will be to listen and bring information and feedback to her PPC colleagues to help ensure that PPC’s publishing and resource-selling programs are providing helpful tools for ministry and that PPC develops the best resources possible to inspire faithful living within the PC (USA) and broader Christian community.

PPC Publisher Marc Lewis says, “PPC is delighted and very fortunate to have someone like Laura who brings such exciting skills and abilities along with a care for the people of the church and the world.”

Cheifetz is an M.Div. graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary. She also received a MBA from North Park University in Chicago and a B.A from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash. She has been a preacher, speaker and writer in a variety of settings throughout the church, most recently working with The Fund for Theological Education in Decatur, Ga.  Cheifetz, who is also proficient in the Spanish language, plans to relocate to Louisville in the future.

The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation is a self-sustaining entity of the PC (USA). It is better known through its publishing imprints ― Westminster John Knox Press, Geneva Press and These Days devotional magazine ― and through its book, resource and digital downloadable study resource marketplaces that include TheThoughtfulChristian, The PresbyterianLeader and FeastingontheWord.

In fall 2013, PPC will publish the new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God for which pre-publication orders are now being received.