Darren Shearer
Founder, CEO, & Author Coach
Darren Shearer is the founder and CEO of High Bridge Books & Media, which helps Christ-centered authors and organizations craft, publish, and market messages and stories that glorify God in all spheres of culture. Its imprint, High Bridge Books, has published 215+ books since 2013.
Darren is also the host of the Christian Business Leader Podcast, which helps marketplace Christians explore and apply God's will for business. He has authored five books, including The Christ-Centered Company, Marketing Like Jesus, and The Marketplace Christian.
A former Captain in the United States Air Force, Darren earned the United States Air Force Commendation Medal for his meritorious service in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He holds a M.A. in Practical Theology from Regent University (Virginia Beach, VA), a B.A. in English from Charleston Southern University (Charleston, SC), and will complete his M.B.A. from Pace University (New York, NY) in December 2025.
Darren and his wife, Marie, reside in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina (Waynesville, NC) and have three young boys.
Dak Frederick
Director of Author Support
Dak Frederick has spent hundreds of hours helping writers reach their goals. His clients describe him as patient, humble, and deeply invested in their success.
Beyond writing, Dak is a singer and musician who enjoys playing the piano and guitar. He’s been joyfully married for almost fourteen years and is a proud father to two girls.
Dak is a Retired U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant. He holds a Master’s in Counseling from Liberty University, a Bachelor’s in Communication from Ashford University, as well as Digital Marketing Certificates from eCornell University.
He is also the author of 101 Things Every Man Should Know. It's a book that touches on both practical and deep things men need to hear. It feels less like a lecture and more like advice from a mentor or friend who actually cares.
Jack Kondritz
Digital Media Manager
Jack Kondritz is the Digital Media Manager for High Bridge Books and Media, where he provides individualized technical support to clients, including posting and distributing content for blogs, podcasts, and social media.
A Marketing student at Houston Christian University, Jack’s passion for digital media began with early experimentation in design and game development and has since matured into full-scale audience engagement. He built a Houston Rockets-themed Instagram page from scratch, which led to his first professional role and sparked his career in digital and social media marketing.
Beyond the screen, Jack thrives on real-world relationships. He spends his downtime with his favorite people, enjoys volunteering at church, and is always game for a basketball or volleyball match.
Sarah Berry
Editor & Writing Coach
Sarah Berry has four years of experience helping thought leaders share their messages through book publishing, blogging, podcasting, and social media.
Upon joining the High Bridge Books & Media team in 2018, her initial position included posting and distributing content for our blogging, podcasting, and social media clients as well as editing our authors' book manuscripts.
Today, she oversees the entire publishing process from start to finish, guiding authors with patience, experience, and expertise to produce polished books that our authors are proud of.
In 2014, she graduated from Texas Tech University as the Top-Ranked Graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences with a B.A. in English, specializing in Creative Writing.
She and her husband reside in the greater Houston area where they enjoy playing on their church's worship team, leading the young adults' group, and attending plays and musicals.
Sydney DeTar
Web Developer
Sydney DeTar is the Web Developer for High Bridge Books and Media. Sydney is committed to excellence, and she works to ensure that every project attains the highest standard. She meets every client with enthusiasm, respect, and encouragement as she assists them in meeting their goals and broadening their audience.
Beyond the digital realm, she also a family person. She is happily married to her wonderful husband, and together, they share their home with three beloved dogs. Outside of work, you'll often find them exploring the outdoors, trying new restaurants, indulging in movie nights, and bringing creative ideas to life.
Santiago Leon
Web and App Developer
Santiago Leon is an expert in creative innovation, providing website and app development to High Bridge clients. A distinguished graduate of Liberty University and Regent University with a focus on Communications, Santiago's passions for technology and storytelling have seamlessly merged. Beyond his professional prowess, Santiago's devout Christian values guide his journey while his love for sports and culinary exploration adds a flavorful dimension to his life and those he serves.
Cynthia Tucker
Proofreader
Cynthia Tucker is an editor with a passion for God and His Word. She holds a master’s degree in Biblical Studies and has been a Bible teacher for more than 20 years. Cynthia is the founder of Route 66 Ministries and the author of the Word Truth Life Chronological Bible series. She has edited numerous Christian and nonfiction works, including working as an editor on the Max Lucado Study Bible and as a senior editor and writer on two books published by Museum of the Bible. In her spare time, she’s likely indulging in old-school music and sitcoms or watching superhero and time travel movies.
Holland Webb
Editor & Co-Writer
Holland Webb has worked as a full-time writer and editor for more than five years. During that time, he has written for companies such as MailChimp, Carlson Hotels, Virgin Pulse, Terminus, RedVentures, and Wiley. He also ghostwrote a column for Inc and currently writes a column for Influencive. Holland co-hosts a podcast called The Afterword: A Conversation About the Future of Words. In his spare time, Holland works on new project ideas, exercises, and sleeps -- his all-time favorite hobby. He holds degrees from Lee University and Regent University. Holland has two grown sons and lives in South Carolina.
Blair Parke
Editor & Writing Coach
Never being without a book in her hand is what Blair remembers most from her childhood. Spending hours reading stories of adventure, mystery, and, of course, The Baby-Sitters Club books allowed Blair to see what it takes to create a compelling page-turner.
While attending Stetson University in Florida, for her bachelor's in Communications, she joined the school newspaper, The Reporter, as their movie critic, sparking an interest for writing community-involved features. Thus began a more than fifteen-year career in full-time and freelance writing and editing that provided opportunities to write features for LAKE Magazine, Celebration Independent, Central Florida Ag News, Southwest Orlando Bulletin, and Salem Web Network.
Blair's expertise in reviewing and editing books comes from nearly a decade of experience in editing unpublished manuscripts (from Christian to secular to political) in all levels of editing for Xulon Press/Salem Author Services, one of the biggest Christian book publishers in the nation. She also wrote her own book, Empty Hands Made Full, which provides a Christian perspective to couples facing infertility.
When she's not working, Blair enjoys spending time with husband Jeremy, doggie Molly, and beloved family and friends in the Sunshine State of Florida. Knowing that she was able to help someone tell his or her story is what Blair loves most about writing and editing, the purpose she believes God has given her in life.
Joseph VanBuren
Proofreader
Joseph VanBuren is a born-again editor, author, and music artist with over a decade of experience in the publishing industry. He has authored nine books, edited many others, and is the former editor-in-chief of Confluence, Purdue Fort Wayne’s literary magazine. JVB has written and recorded hundreds of songs and instrumentals, opened up for national touring acts, and had his music featured in animated movies and on cable TV. Originally from the Hudson Valley region of New York, he now lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with his beloved wife, Renée. JVB believes in a better world through creativity, storytelling, and God’s Word.
Justin Jeffrey
Audio Engineer
Justin Jeffrey is an Audio Engineer for High Bridge Books and Media. After graduating from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2014, he worked as an Audio Engineer and editor for podcasts and audio books in the Christian genre. He also began working as a live sound technician at a few Colorado Springs churches until landing at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado in 2017. When he has free time, he enjoys skiing, spending time outdoors, and embracing new opportunities to learn new skills.