NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–James T. Draper Jr., president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, has been named by Metro Nashville publication the 18th most influential person in Nashville.
Draper was listed ahead of country music star Vince Gill (23rd), financial counselor Dave Ramsey (24th) and former Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter (20th).
Metro Nashville is a monthly entertainment publication that contains a variety of editorials, news stories and columns. It is published by Addison Communications. Topping Metro’s list was Colin Reed, president and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment. U.S. Senator Bill Frist and Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen were listed second and third, respectively.
“All of the candidates were placed under a microscope,” Adam McLean, Metro’s publisher, said. “We had a panel of five writers who independently interviewed members of the Nashville media, publicity firms and various other sources to develop lists. We then cross-referenced the lists, combined it into one and re-interviewed those same people to back up our data to make sure those represented were legitimate selections.”
McLean said some of the areas of consideration were what the individual or company adds to the community in terms of involvement, employment and financial status, and how influential the person is within his or her respective field.
“I am both surprised by the selection and honored,” Draper said. “This is really a great evidence of the presence of LifeWay in the Nashville community for these 112 years. It is a tribute to the dedication of all the LifeWay family to the task of providing Christian resources around the world.”
Draper has been president of LifeWay for 12 years and has authored more than 20 books. He has been active in ministry for more than 50 years and is a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
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