David C Cook (DCC) announced Friday that industry veteran Dave Thornton has been hired as vice president of strategic partnerships.

In his new role, Thornton will continue cultivating relationships he has built through the years to serve denominations, churches, associations and ministries. He will be responsible for building the go-to market strategy for the direct-to-church channel and will work closely with David C Cook publishers and directors for the Learning Resources strategic ministry unit (SMU) as they create curriculum and trade books for the church.

DCC recently announced the creation of the new Learning Resources SMU, which realigns the book and curriculum units into one ministry initiative. Thornton will report directly to Chriscynethia Floyd, vice president of sales and marketing for Learning Resources. 

Thornton said that joining Cook is a homecoming in many ways since he started with the company in Elgin, Illinois, in 1995. Later, he worked at Group Publishing before serving as CEO of Gospel Light. David C Cook acquired Gospel Light’s curriculum resources last November.

“I’m thrilled to rejoin the David C Cook team at this historic time,” Thornton said. “The addition of the Gospel Light resources and Standard’s HeartShaper curriculum to the powerful lineup of Bible-in-Life, Echoes, Scripture Press, Tru, Rio, Wesleyan and Accent has created a one-stop shop of the world’s finest Sunday school materials. I’m excited to work with this team to make sure that every church is aware of the distinct advantages that these print and digital resources have to equip them to make disciples and transform families for Christ.”

Cris Doornbos, CEO of the company, said Thornton will be a valuable member of the team.

“Dave’s strategic relationships with ministry leaders and partners will better position Cook to accomplish our Christ-centered mission of transforming lives around the world,” Doornbos said. “His theological, publishing and marketing experience uniquely qualifies Dave to assist David C Cook as we serve the local church on a global scale.” 

Thornton and his wife, Tammy, will be relocating to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where David C Cook is based.

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