Vault has announced a promotion and four new hires.

Der-shing Helmer, previously Executive Editor at Vault, has been promoted to Vice President, Special Projects and Crowdfunding, to lead a newly created Special Projects and Crowdfunding Department. In her new role, Helmer will oversee a broad portfolio of special projects to be announced in the coming months. Helmer joined Vault in 2022 as Managing Editor, and has been instrumental in major successes like Post Malone’s BIG RIG, Dungeon Crawler Carl: Crocodile, and the recently launched AETHON: Vault line of novels.

Chris Byer joins Vault’s Special Projects and Crowdfunding Department as Crowdfunding Director.  Byer will oversee strategy, planning, and execution across Vault’s slate of crowdfunding projects. Byer is new to book publishing. He brings over fifteen years of experience in tabletop games, with a strong background in crowdfunding and creative project development. He has worked alongside creators and publishers to help bring ambitious, fan-driven projects to life. Byer will report to Der-shing Helmer.

Madison Bickford joins Vault’s Sales and Marketing Department as Sales Coordinator. Bickford will work with Vault’s Sales and Marketing team, creators, and external partners to organize, plan, and track sales and marketing efforts across the Vault catalog. Bickford is new to publishing. Previously she worked at the U.S. Naval Institute as the Prospect and Database Coordinator, and brings a wealth of experience in data and campaign management. Bickford will report to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, David Dissanayake.

Rachel Pinnelas joins Vault’s Editorial Department as Editor. Pinnelas is an experienced comics editor and writer with credits at Marvel and DC Comics, who began her professional career as a Marvel intern while studying architecture. In addition to her work in comics, Pinnelas helps curate public exhibitions, most recently contributing to the current comics-based shows at the Skirball Cultural Center. Pinnelas will report to Vault co-founder, Chief Creative Officer and Editor-in-Chief, Adrian Wassel.

AJ Shannon joins Vault’s Editorial Department as Assistant Editor. Recently an Editorial Intern at Marvel, Shannon previously worked in academic publishing at W. W. Norton & Company. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in English and geology. Shannon will report to Adrian Wassel.