Written By Lisa Breslin, Photos by: Walter Calahan
Annette Danek-Akey [pronounced “achy”] earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University and her Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University in Indiana.
In 1996, following a stint at Sears Logistics as an industrial engineer, cultural change coach, and receiving manager, Akey was hired by the Bantam Doubleday Dell Fulfillment Center in Des Plaines, IL. During her 16 years with Random House, Inc., she has participated in several facility redesign projects, including the merger of Bantam Doubleday Dell and Random House into the Westminster, Maryland facility in 2000.
Danek-Akey is the secretary of The Carroll Community College Foundation, a member of Carroll Leadership Class of 2012, and team coach for the “Battle of the Books” competition between New Windsor and Northwest Middle Schools that was held April 21. She is married to Michael Akey and they have three children: Emily, Margaret and Kevin.
The Danek-Akey family lives in Westminster and are owner-operators of Green Akeys Family Organic Farm.
What is your role at Random House, Inc.?
In my capacity as Senior Vice President, Fulfillment, I oversee the daily shipment of 1 million books published by Random House, Inc. and our distribution clients, to retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
What would you consider a good day at work?
For our Westminster operation, a “good day” is literally 24 hours long: our three round-the-clock work shifts are running at top capacity. We ship books nonstop, and having a great deal of fun doing it.
What has been the most rewarding challenge during your tenure at Random House, Inc.?
The biggest challenge we faced recently was during last year’s fourth quarter. Our Sales Group called from New York asking for a plan to undertake a stock-replenishment program for a two-day turnaround delivery during the pre-Christmas shipping rush of our in-demand titles to accounts all across the country. We had to implement this program fully in a matter of days and shipped several million additional books over the course of two months.
What does the Carroll County Random House facility do?
Random House Westminster is not only a book-distribution facility. We are also a diversified Corporate Center for many crucial support functions for our North American publishing business. We have large Finance and Information Technology departments and a Command Center here, as well as a Telephone Sales division.
What is Random House’s best-kept secret?
We have many employees who came to work here right out of high school and have stayed with us through thick and thin. They are the foundation upon which we have built an amazing service reputation with our customers. They are our best asset and “a secret” we are happy to share with everyone.
Are there other partnerships or contributions of which you are particularly proud?
Carroll County is our home, and we will always will strive to to support all the institutions that make it special for us. We are particularly devoted to efforts in support of literacy, on behalf of the Library, the Literacy Council, and our Reading Partnership at West Middle and William Winchester Elementary Schools.
When you are not at work, how do you find peace?
I find peace on my farm. When I moved to Carroll County in 1999, I didn’t expect to fall in love with the beautiful country land. We joined a Community -Supported Agriculture (CSA) organization in 2006 and were exposed to heirloom vegetables and eggs from chickens raised in green pastures. In 2008, my husband and I bought a farm where we now have about 50 hens and raise other grass-fed animals.
What is your favorite movie?
I don’t have a favorite movie. I love to read books, and I am reading some really great ones right now.
What is your favorite book or author?
I don’t have favorites, I love them all. I especially love all the authors that Random House publishes. The four most recent books I’ve read: Wonder by R.J. Palacio; Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James; The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg, and The River Cottage Fish Cookbook by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
