NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–In an effort to focus on its “unique calling and distinctive position as a Bible-focused Christian media company,” the president of the Broadman & Holman division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention has announced a new vision statement and organizational structure, effective immediately.
In a meeting with B&H employees, Ken Stephens announced a restructuring of the division into four departments: 1) product development; 2) supply chain and asset management; 3) marketing; and 4) sales.
David Shepherd, formerly vice president, Bibles and reference books, now serves as senior vice president of the division and oversees product development. He will continue as executive editor of the Holman Christian Standard Bible translation project. The product development department houses six sections: trade books (manager position vacant), Bible translation (Ed Blum, manager), Bible/reference books (Ray Clendenen, manager), gifts (Ricky King, manager), church and school supplies (Matt Stewart, manager); and children’s books (Gail Rothwell, manager).
Stephens also announced that John P. Thompson has joined B&H as vice president for marketing. He has been with Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colo., since 1996, serving as director of its in-house advertising agency and earlier as director of corporate marketing and strategic planning. Thompson holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Mississippi, Oxford.
Becky Yates, former director of the supplies and gifts department, directs the new supply chain and asset management department, and Susanne Anhalt remains as director of the sales department.
Stephens also announced that, as a result of the reorganization and the need to reduce expenses, eight positions were deleted; however, four were vacant. While B&H sales were up 9.2 percent in the six months between October 1999 and March 2000, costs had increased.
Additionally, Stephens said Bucky Rosenbaum, vice president of trade and academic books, elected not to take another management position offered to him and is seeking other employment.
Stephens said the new organization represents a different way of working together and challenged employees to work extra hard during the summer to produce great products.
“Our new vision helps us to focus on our ministry purpose,” he said.
The vision states: “Believing that God sent His Son into the world that the world might be saved through Him, Broadman & Holman Publishers will strive to introduce people throughout the world to Jesus Christ. Through our products, we will passionately and prophetically lift up the Word of God as the uncompromised standard for living and will endeavor to create within people of all ages the hunger to experience The Word in every area of their lives.
“We will fulfill our vision by prayerfully managing our financial and human resources for the successful publication and marketing of the Holman Christian Standard Bible, resources that facilitate the effective ministry of churches, and other Bible-based products.”
