The Better World Books Leadership
David Murphy
President & Chief Executive Officer
David graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1980 from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Economics. He also received his MBA in 1984 from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. David worked 23 years in corporate finance, operations and mergers and acquisitions with firms such as International Paper Company; The First Boston Corporation; Hutchinson SA (multi-billion $ French subsidiary of the Total Energy Group). He has also started several companies as well as served as CFO, COO, CEO for both privately held and publicly traded firms in the manufacturing, health care services and technology sectors. Additionally, he has served on both corporate and non-profit boards and was a key mentor and advisor to Better World Books through the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Notre Dame before becoming President and CEO of the Company in August, 2004. David remains actively involved in the field of Social Enterprise through the Gigot Center at Notre Dame as well as several other Social Enterprise Associations.
Christopher 'Kreece' Fuchs
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Kreece graduated Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After working briefly in engineering and in education, Kreece returned to Notre Dame to complete the requirements for medical school in 2003. Due to the tremendous growth and social impact attained by Better World Books since inception, Kreece decided to postpone his entry into medical school and he currently oversees all of the Company’s Operations and Logistics from the Company’s primary operation located in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Xavier Helgesen
Co-Founder, Chief Information and Business Development Officer
Xavier graduated Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Management Information Systems. Before co-founding Better World Books, Xavier founded and sold 3bstudios.com, a successful and profitable college community portal company. Xavier served as the original software architect of Better World Books’ proprietary software (Indaba) technology and continues to oversee key aspects of technology development while also serving as the Company’s head of both domestic and international business development efforts. Xavier is based in San Francisco, California.
Jeff Kurtzman
Co-Founder & Chief Financial Officer
Jeff graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Finance and Business Economics. Jeff won a spot with Deutsche Bank immediately following his time at Notre Dame. After volunteering/teaching at a variety of organizations and schools throughout high school and college, Jeff felt that the investment banking world did not provide enough personal fulfillment and decided to leave DB after a year , returning to South Bend to join Chris and Xavier to form Campus Community Outreach (original name of Better World Books). Jeff oversees all financial and administrative functions for Better World Books and is currently based in Austin, Texas.
Dustin Holland
Director of Acquisitions for the Library Division
Dustin graduated from the Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia (2001). Shortly thereafter, he earned his MBA with a concentration in International Business from Georgia State University (2004). Dustin joined the company August of 2004 to develop the library market for Better World Books. Since the conception of the Library Discards & Donations Program, numerous libraries—both academic and public—have discovered the tremendous value of a partnership with Better World Books. Under Dustin’s leadership, over 500 libraries across the United States participate in the program. Dustin currently serves as the Director of Acquisitions for the Library/Thrift Division and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Andy Warzon
Chief Technology Officer
Andy graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Along with Better World Books’ co-founder Xavier Helgesen, Andy co-founded and sold 3bstudios, a successful and profitable college community portal venture. Andy spent four years after graduation working in high-tech engineering and contract management (primarily in the Defense Industry) before joining Better World Books in January, 2006. Based in South Bend, Indiana, Andy serves as Chief Technology Officer and is responsible for the Company’s IT infrastructure and overall online presence. Andy is located in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Aaron King
Director of Campus Acquisitions
Aaron King graduated from Purdue University in 2003 with a BS from the Krannert School of Management and a BA in Advertising. Aaron was friends with Company co-founders Chris (“Kreece”) and Xavier in college, and was discussing options with Xavier to join the 3bstudios.com team and help expand the site nationwide. These plans were halted when Xavier called one day and said “Forget the website, the future is books.” Aaron coordinated on Better World Books’ first ever student-run college book drives in the spring of 2003, and officially joined as the company’s first full-time employee that summer. Aaron has served in a variety of roles, helping grow the business from a staff of 4 people to over 100, and is currently the Director of Campus Acquisitions, where he coordinates all of Better World Books’ collegiate book drives.
Rudy Reyes Jr.
Director of Sales
Rudy graduated Cum Laude from St. Mary’s University (San Antonio, Texas) with a bachelor’s degree in theology and philosophy and holds advanced degrees in historical theology and liturgy from the University of Notre Dame. Before coming to Better World Books, Rudy played one of the lead roles in launching Marianist LIFE, a national faith-formation program for Catholic youth and young adult ministry. He also co-founded NDToGo.com (now CollegeTownie.com), an entrepreneurial venture which brings students off campuses and into local restaurants and entertainment venues. Rudy came to Better World Books in June 2007 to develop the Antiquarian, Rare, and Collectable Books product line and currently serves as the company’s Director of Sales (and Customer Relations). He is based in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Martin Pearson
Director of Accounting and Finance
Martin graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Georgia. Prior to joining Better World Books, Martin worked four years in public accounting and eleven years in corporate accounting and finance for a variety of companies such as ExecuTrain ($100M international enterprise) and for several rapid growth early stage technology companies. Martin joined the company in February 2007 to develop the accounting and finance department. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Martin currently serves as the Director of Accounting and Finance.
