(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today the promotion of Gary Davidson to the position of Senior Vice President and Group Publisher of Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group. Davidson brings over twenty years of experience working with Christian products. He has worked for Thomas Nelson for thirteen years, leading Thomas Nelson’s Christian Retail Sales team for the last eight, and the Ministry Development and Church Direct team for the last two.

“I am confident that Gary is the right person to lead our Bible team,” said Mark Schoenwald, president and chief operating officer of Thomas Nelson. “Gary has a distinguished track record of building strong business units by casting vision, building cohesive teams, executing plans, and anticipating the needs of our customers.”

Thomas Nelson veteran and Bible scholar Bob Sanford will return to the company to act as Vice President and Associate Publisher of the group. Sanford, who has worked intimately with the Bible category over the lastthirty years, has unparalleled experience and vast knowledge of the business.

Schoenwald continued, “Bob’s intimate Bible knowledge makes him the perfect compliment to Gary. Working side-by-side they will help strengthen the core of our business, our Bible, reference, and curriculum division.”

Tom Knight will be promoted to fill Davidson’s current role as Senior Vice President of Christian Retail Sales and Ministry Development. With over 10 years of experience working in Christian retail, Knight has demonstrated the ability to develop strong teams through his hands-on management and the ability to build alignment around strategic plans. Knight’s successor has not been appointed, although leadership is evaluating several options and hoping to make an announcement as quickly as possible.

“I am so excited about the privilege of leading Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group,” said Davidson. “They are a strong and passionate team doing extraordinary work to make the Word more accessible for readers around the world. I am leaving the Christian Retail and Ministry team in Tom’s very capable hands. Our working relationship, and my new role, open up new possibilities for creating great Bible, reference, and curriculum products for our Christian and Ministry retail partners.”

“Over the past few years, we have struggled with how to maximize our impact with churches, ministries, and our Christian retail partners. Although these groups have a common mission and vision they were competing instead of collaborating,” said Michael S. Hyatt, President and CEO. “By aligning their efforts under Gary’s leadership, we hope to increase their productivity and profitability.”

With this move, the name of the ministry arm of the sales division will be change from Nelson Ministry and Nelson Direct to the Ministry Development Group. The new name of the group emphasizes their shift in focus from direct sales to aiding in the development of these ministries as they seek to impact the world with the word of God.

Davidson has over eighteen years of experience in Christian retail sales. He has worked for Thomas Nelson for eleven years, leading Thomas Nelson’s Christian Retail Sales team for the last six. Gary’s leadership team includes Tom Knight and Rick Shear in Christian Retail Sales and Beth Ryan, Randy Elliott, and Jack Countryman in Ministry Development.

“My team is excited about the opportunity to create synergies and partnerships between Christian retailers and their local churches and ministries, broaden the reach of Thomas Nelson products, and elevate the level of service to our key constituents,” added Davidson.

“Direct-to-church efforts have been a source of frustration for our retailers, as they’ve found themselves in the awkward position of competing with their own suppliers, adds Steve Potratz, owner and founder of The Parable Group. “Thomas Nelson has listened to our concerns and once again demonstrated leadership in the industry by taking the necessary steps to correct the situation. I look forward to the Ministry Development Group providing much-needed support from within the independent Christian retail channel to help our stores grow sales with local churches. This is a great move and we deeply appreciate Thomas Nelson’s support of Christian Retail in this way.”

Contact: Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel: (615) 902-1109
fax: (615) 902-1110
web: www.thomasnelson.com
e-mail: lnobles@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today the promotion of Rick Shear to the position of Vice President, Christian Retail Key Account Sales. In his new role, Shear will lead the Christian Retail Key Account team and will be responsible for the cultivation and continued growth of this integral sales channel.

Shear began his career at Thomas Nelson over 20 years ago, working as a Field Sales Representative in Kansas. For the last eight years, he has worked in Key Accounts of the Christian Retail Sales division, most recently working as a Key Account Director.

“Over the last several years our Christian retail key accounts have grown significantly. In order to keep the momentum building in these accounts, we need a strong leader who knows their business and can focus solely on their needs,” said Gary Davidson, Senior Vice President of Christian Retail Sales and Nelson Ministries. “Rick’s extensive experience in publishing and retail has given him a wonderful background for this role. His servant leadership style has made him a favorite with customers and colleagues alike.”

A native of Muncie, Indiana, Shear is a graduate of Ohio State University. He and his wife, Rachel, reside in Greenbrier, Tennessee, and have six children and one grandchild. He also serves in the National Guard and is a member of the 129th Army Band.

“I am honored to serve in a leadership position at Thomas Nelson,” said Shear. “Thomas Nelson’s purpose is to inspire the world and I feel privileged to be able to use my gifts to fulfill this calling.”

Contact: Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel: (615) 902-1109
fax: (615) 902-1110
web: www.thomasnelson.com
e-mail: lnobles@thomasnelson.com

“Joe has been a valued member of the Thomas Nelson leadership team for almost forty years,” said Hyatt. “He was instrumental in helping Sam Moore build Thomas Nelson into the world’s largest Christian publishing company. He is an astute businessman, a wise mentor, and a dear friend. He will be greatly missed.”

A special retirement reception will be held in honor of Powers upon the conclusion Thomas Nelson’s All Employee Meeting at The Donelson Fellowship on Wednesday, May 14, 2008. During the reception, the entire Thomas Nelson team will have the opportunity acknowledge and celebrate Power’s almost forty years of dedicated service to the company.

“I am proud to have been a part of Thomas Nelson’s rich history and am so thankful to the Company’s customers, authors, vendors and especially to the employees, both past and present, who have made this both a rewarding and wonderful adventure,” said Powers. “I have great confidence in the entire executive leadership team and their ability to build on Thomas Nelson’s remarkable success.”

Contact: Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel: (615) 902-1109
fax: (615) 902-1110
web: www.thomasnelson.com
e-mail: lnobles@thomasnelson.com