Chris Ellis, circulation and marketing director at The Walrus, is ending a four and a half year run at that magazine on Friday to become business development director at Mass LBP, a private sector think thank that facilitates democratic decision-making. Ellis, a graduate of the Masters of Publishing program at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, joined The Walrus in April 2004.

In his place, The Walrus has hired Stacey May Fowles, a published novelist who also works as publisher of Shameless, an independent magazine aimed at “smart, strong, sassy young women.”

Jean Stéphan Groulx has announced his departure as general manager of CDS Global’s Montreal facility effective Dec. 24.

CDS is searching for a replacement for the facility who will reside in Montreal and manage day-to-day operations for French-speaking clients.

In the meantime, Chris Simpson, vice president of CDS Global in Canada, will assume responsibility of the Montreal operation, with the support of Nancy Gessmann, vice president of operations for CDS Global.

On to some Alberta-based appointments, passed on to us by the folks at the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association:

Edmonton-based Venture Publishing has hired a new editor for Unlimited Magazine. Kent Bruyneel joined the company last Friday. He replaces founding editor Dan Rubinstein, who left Unlimited late last year for a senior editor position with Canadian Geographic.

Bruyneel’s background includes a Masters in Publishing from SFU, a five year stint as editor of Grain, the founding of online magazine Forget and the task of editing Yann Martel’s ongoing series, "What is Stephen Harper Reading?".

Venture has also added a new person to its circ department: Nick Jamison emigrated from Pretoria, South Africa, to take on the position of circulation marketing manager. In South Africa, Jamison managed the circulation department for Atoll Media, which publishes three paid circulation magazines.

Odvod Publishing has named Rob Machida as art director of Avenue Edmonton. Machida is a former a assitant art director at sister title Avenue Calgary, published by RedPoint Media Group.

After 36 years in this business, Wood Industry publisher and W.I. Media president Blair Tullis stepped down at the end of 2008. Kerry Knudsen, editor of Wood Industry, has taken on the publisher role in Tullis’ stead.

And back in Toronto, Brunico Communications has hired Melita Kuburas as a staff writer for its daily Media In Canada e-newsletter. Kuburas, a graduate of the four-year Bachelor of Journalism program at Ryerson University, was previously editor of the Annex Gleaner.

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