2009-02-26 16:21:02 -

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, the world's largest publisher of pre-K-12 educational materials and a global leader in literacy education, today announced the appointment of former McDougal Littell President Rita Schaefer to executive vice president of Sales and Marketing, K-12.


In this newly created position, Ms. Schaefer will oversee the state adoption and open territory sales functions as well as marketing, sales finance and operations, and strategic accounts. She rejoins the Company after a fourteen-month hiatus.


"Rita is a well-known leader in the industry, with a proven record of delivering success," said K-12 President Mike Lavelle. ?Houghton Mifflin Harcourt makes the industry's greatest investment in product development and fields the market's largest product offering, in order

to ensure that we continue meeting the needs of teachers and students. Rita possesses the right brand of leadership to unite our various sales and marketing teams under a shared vision of transformation and innovation, and to deliver for our customers the customized solutions they seek."


Ms. Schaefer's career in educational publishing began in 1979 when she joined McDougal Littell as the first sales representative hired in Arizona. Throughout her thirty-year career, she has served in numerous sales management positions at McDougal Littell and, most notably, as division president from 2000 until 2007.


In late 2008, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announced the formation of a new K-12 organization, which combined five former stand-alone divisions into a single, unified business. Rita's appointment completes the K-12 leadership team.


About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt


Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is a global education leader and the world's largest publisher of educational materials for pre-K-12 schools. The Company publishes a comprehensive set of best-in-class educational solutions, ranging from research-based textbook programs to instructional technology to standards-based assessments for students and educators. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. With origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. To learn more about Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, visit www.hmhpub.com.





Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Josef Blumenfeld, 617-351-5432

Vice President, Communications

josef.blumenfeld@hmhpub.com