Kristin Keith Award for Sales Rep of the Year

Jesse Bartel is the 2025 Sales Rep of the Year

A bookseller is always a bookseller even when they become a book rep. That is definitely the case with Jesse Bartel, Sales Representative with Hachette Book Group.  “Without a doubt, the best book rep we have had in years. He’s responsive, compassionate, knows books, and is always there when we need him,” said Kenny Sarfin, Books & Greetings, Northvale, NJ, a concise description shared by the NAIBA booksellers who voted for Jesse as this year’s Kristin Keith Sales Rep of the Year.
 
Bartel started his book career in 2014 at BookHampton on Long Island as a receiver. Soon, he made his way to the sales floor; by 2018 he had become the store manager. He started at Hachette in January 2024 as an Indie Sales Rep where he has been sharing his love of books to a wider audience of NAIBA book buyers.    

“This is an absolute honor,” said Jesse, upon hearing the news. “I want Indies to thrive and if I can make their life easier from my corner, then my job is done. I bring my bookseller experience to my sales calls, and I understand and empathize with the day-to-day stresses (and joys!) of running a bookstore – this has clearly made an impact.”

His colleagues at Hachette are also fans of Jesse and his dedication “to the indies, to the books he champions, and the people he works with,” said Nicky Devaney, Field Sales Director at Hachette. “Jesse brings an infectious enthusiasm to everything he does, and it’s clear he truly cares about his stores, his colleagues, and the titles he represents. His deep expertise in science fiction, fantasy, and manga is matched by a sharp instinct and a calm, thoughtful approach under pressure. He takes the time to get to know each store and staff member, always striving to provide the best possible support. It’s a joy to work alongside someone so smart, committed, and genuinely passionate about what he does.” 

“Thank you for creating unique, safe spaces and thank you for seeing how much I care about all of you,” said Bartel.

Bartel will be honored at the NAIBA Awards Dinner on Tuesday, August 5 during New Voices New Rooms in Atlanta.

NAIBA Rechristens Sales Rep of the Year Award to Honor Kristin Keith in 2017

The New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association renamed the William Helmuth Sales Rep of the Year award to the Kristin Keith Sales Rep of the Year award in 2017.

The award was first given to Bev Chaney in 1987, and named after the beloved William Helmuth of Book Travelers. At the inception, NAIBA wanted to recognize the sales rep “who is the sort of person who does their homework all the time, is patient and tolerant of customers and colleagues, who makes mistakes from enthusiasm, then owns up to them.”

In 2013, Kristin Keith won this award for her dedication and enthusiasm for the book industry and book people. Sadly, we lost Keith to cancer in 2017. In kind, this same industry wants to immortalize her dedication, enthusiasm and heart to a new generation of book people through the renaming of the Sales Rep of the Year award.

Previous winners of the NAIBA Rep of the Year Award are: