CHRIS PRESTIA, MANAGING PARTNER
Chris Prestia began her publishing career at a literary agency while earning a B.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from New York University. She went on to work in the editorial, production, subsidiary rights, and contracts departments at various publishing houses before landing at JRA in 2012. As Managing Partner, Chris oversees the operation of the agency, leading an exceptional team of cross-trained professionals who are ready to assist our clients in all areas of the publishing process. For the past seven years, Chris has also managed the agency’s literary estates.
JULIANNE TINARI, ESQ., ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, BUSINESS AFFAIRS
Julianne joined the JRA Business Affairs team in 2012. She has a BA in English Literature, a JD from Brooklyn Law School, where she studied IP and entertainment law, and a passion for reading that has kept her buried in a book since the age of five. She is interested in character-driven fiction across many genres, but is especially drawn to literary fiction, social-minded contemporary fiction, psychological suspense, and anything with an underrepresented perspective. Her role at JRA is a perfect marriage of her legal background and bookworm proclivities.
Julianne is licensed to practice law in the State of New York.
NANCY RUSSO, ROYALTIES MANAGER
Nancy Russo joined JRA in February of 2022 as a part-time royalties processing assistant. With her love of mathematics and obsession with numbers, she quickly became hooked on the joys and challenges of royalties processing. Nancy joined the agency full-time in May of 2022 and was promoted to royalties manager one year later. Nicknamed “the Rocket” by JRA Founder, Jane Berkey, Nancy keeps the royalties department flowing smoothly. When she’s not processing, Nancy enjoys reading a variety of JRA authors.
KATE FRASER, HUMAN RESOURCE & ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Kate comes to JRA from a Mid-Hudson Valley CPA firm where her responsibilities included payroll, accounts receivable, and account reconciliation as well as a variety of tax related duties. An avid reader, particularly of mysteries and thrillers, Kate is always searching for new authors to read and enjoys recommending her favorites books to friends and family. She graduated from Franklin Pierce University with a B.A. in Anthropology.
MARIA BURFIELD, OFFICE ASSISTANT
Maria Burfield’s first job in the city was working at Dell Publishing where she had the pleasure of meeting and developing a long-time friendship with agent Andrea Cirillo. The stars aligned and the time was right to work together again. Recently Maria joined the JRA team and put her love of books and organizational skills to work in keeping the office in tip top shape!
KRISTEN COMEAUX, DIRECTOR OF DATA MANAGER
Kristen Comeaux initially joined the JRA team in 2013 as an archival intern while studying at Rutgers State University for her Masters in Library and Information Science. Her love of books, digital media and organization, make her uniquely qualified to continue growing JRA's social media presence as well as manage its website and data. When not putting in hours at JRA, Kristen moonlights as a full-time children's librarian. She loves anything from picture books to young adult literature.