Lighthouse Christian Products Co. announced the hire of Val Buick as executive vice president and CEO.

“We are very excited that Val decided to join our team,” said George Nizynski, president and co-owner of the company with his wife, Pat. “We cannot think of anyone more highly regarded in the Christian gift industry. We have known Val for approximately 18 years. She was our first gift buyer at Family Christian Stores. Val will focus on helping Lighthouse expand its product offering into new and additional categories.”

Abingdon Press has announced the hiring of Russ Sellars as the new director of trade sales, effective immediately.

“Russ is known for his solutions-focused sales management and proven background in employing analysis and business intelligence aimed at identifying target markets and opportunities,” said Tamara Crabtree, Abingdon’s executive director of marketing and sales. “This type of strategic vision is the perfect match for our company’s initiatives. Likewise, his dedication to building solid relationships and customer loyalty will serve our books and resources well in today’s marketplace.”

B&H Publishing has announced several new additions and roles to its Trade Sales team going into 2014.

Jennifer Dibble will be managing the Family Christian Stores account for B&H. Dibble spent more than 15 years in the publishing industry with Zondervan. She began her career as an inside sales rep and within two years, was promoted to team leader. She spent five years as a CBA key accounts manager in outside sales, and spent seven years in international sales.

B&H Publishing Group has announced the hiring of Michelle Prater Burke as the new acquisitions and development editor for B&H Kids.

This is a new position as the children’s line continues to expand after the successful launches of Audrey Bunny by Angie Smith and The Big Picture Interactive Storybook Bible.

Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, has announced the promotion of Chad Cannon to vice president of marketing. Cannon joined Nelson Books in April 2012 as senior director of marketing.

“I consider it an honor and a privilege to partner with our world-class authors to help them amplify their messages worldwide,” Cannon said. “I'm thankful for my team and the way they think creatively to get our books noticed in a noisy world. It's with excitement that I share this promotion with them as they're the backbone of what we do at Nelson Books.”

HarperCollins Christian Publishing has hired Eric Nystrom as its new vice president of Spanish International Sales. Starting with the company April 7, Nystrom will be based at the corporate office in Nashville.

Nystrom joins HarperCollins Christian Publishing with a strong background in international trade, consulting and sales and operations management. Nystrom’s portfolio includes working with various companies to establish or grow their international presence. He is credited with growing international revenue from less than 5% to over 35% of a company's total sales and an increase in global distribution and manufacturing from 12 to 55 countries in 15 years.

InterVarsity Press has announced the hiring of David W. McNutt as its new associate editor for IVP Academic and project editor for the “Reformation Commentary on Scripture.”

“David McNutt brings to IVP Academic an excellent, well-rounded theological education as well as teaching, pastoral and editorial experience,” said Dan Reid, senior acquisitions editor for IVP Academic. “All of this makes him exceptionally well-suited for overseeing the ‘Reformation Commentary on Scripture’ and engaging the exciting and multifaceted opportunities in theological publishing today.”