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Will Hall to join Executive Committee as vice president for convention news


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Wilburn “Will” Keith Hall II, 40, will be recommended as vice president for convention news of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee effective June 15, Morris H. Chapman, president and chief executive officer, announced May 23.

Hall’s recommendation was approved by the officers of the Executive Committee May 19. Under existing policy Chapman recommends, with the approval of the officers, executive vacancies. The administrative subcommittee members as well as the full Executive Committee will vote on the recommendation at a June 12 meeting in Orlando.

Hall, a retired lieutenant commander with the U.S. Navy, will succeed Herb Hollinger, who retires June 30, having served as vice president for convention news since 1991.

Chapman said Hall’s outstanding record in the Navy and his leadership capabilities will bring added strength to the news position which includes supervision of Baptist Press, the news service of the SBC.

“He is a man of deep faith, conservative values and contagious enthusiasm,” Chapman said. “I welcome him to the staff as a valued team member.”

A native of West Virginia, Hall currently is enrolled in doctoral studies at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.

Hall told Baptist Press “I am very honored to have the opportunity to participate in this unique ministry, and I am excited about building on the outstanding work Herb Hollinger has done in service to Southern Baptists and the gospel ministry.”

As vice president for convention news, Hall will manage Baptist Press as senior editor, serve as convention press information officer for the Executive Committee, manage the newsroom at the SBC annual meeting and act as press representative for the SBC.

A 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he earned a master of education degree from Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., in 1998 and a master of arts degree from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1993.

In the Navy, Hall was leadership section head in the Naval Academy’s department of leadership from 1996-98, the equivalent to a department chairmanship, leading 12 permanent and 38 adjunct instructors in teaching a combined 2,200 students per year.

Also during his career he served as a politico-military planner for South America with the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s strategic plans and policies directorate, 1990-91. As a helicopter pilot he directed pilot training in San Diego and also served at Norfolk, Va., and Pensacola, Fla., naval bases. He has been awarded the Navy Meritorious Service Medal and, twice each, the Navy Achievement Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal, along with the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Hall and his wife, Catherine, and their three sons, Will III, 15, Nathan, 4, and Jacob, 2, live in Hendersonville, Tenn. The Halls are members of College Heights Baptist Church, Gallatin.

Hall was licensed to the gospel ministry in 1995 by the First Southern Baptist Church, San Diego. He was ordained as a deacon at Faith Baptist Church, Glen Burnie, Md.