Worthy Publishing recently announced the addition of industry veteran Harry Blake as a vice president, sales, specializing in gift and nontraditional book and paper product channels. Blake will place particular emphasis on Worthy’s new Ellie Claire imprint, which specializes in premium quality gift and paper expressions.

Blake directed sales to national accounts for C.R. Gibson, a book, gift and stationery company, where he served for 20 years, including years it operated as a division of Thomas Nelson. He came to Worthy after four years as vice president of sales at Anna Griffin, an Atlanta-based gift and stationery company. During his career, Blake has worked with a wide array of retailers, including Hallmark Gold Crown, Barnes & Noble, Papyrus, Hobby Lobby and Cracker Barrel.

Mike Miller, president of NavPress since 2007, has decided to transition out of his role, effective May 31. Charlie Dokmo, chief of staff of The Navigators, will serve as interim CEO of NavPress as the publisher seeks a new president.

Miller said he enjoyed his tenure with NavPress, the publishing arm of the U.S.-based The Navigators.

"I was honored to work with a tremendous team of people who are committed to changing the world through publishing books and materials that resonate with this generation," said Miller, noting that he and his wife, Pat, "will continue to live out The Navigators' calling wherever God leads us to serve."

Miller joined NavPress with a vision to enable the publisher "to carve out a distinctive discipleship niche in the publishing world," company officials said. Under Miller's leadership, NavPress explored new markets and e-publishing, while publishing Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges; the "Becoming a Woman of..." series by Cynthia Heald; The Message Bible by Eugene Peterson; and The Hope Before Me by American Idol contestant Danny Gokey.

Before joining NavPress, Miller founded GodTube, the first Christian video social media site in 2004, in which he also served as the chief marketing officer. From 1992 to 2004, Miller served as vice president of sales and marketing for LifeWay Church Resources. he also wrote several books, including Kingdom Focused Leader (B&H Publishing Group) and Ministry Gifts Inventory (LifeWay Christian Resources).

Interim CEO Dokmo, a graduate of the United States Military Academy and former Army officer, has served in numerous leadership positions with World Vision, Opportunity International and Compassion International before becoming The Navigators' chief of staff in 2011.

The Parable Group has appointed Madison Avenue veteran William (Whit) Whitney as its new creative director. Whitney, who has more than 30 years experience as an art director, creative director, writer and producer, will be "instrumental in the accelerated growth of Parable," company officials said.

"His addition to our team will add significant value for our clients and bring innovation and additional creativity to our accountable marketing platform," said Parable Group CEO Steve Potratz. "The addition of Whit as our creative director heightens our enthusiasm for what's in store for 2013 and beyond."

Whitney joins Parable after serving as executive creative director of print, digital marketing, direct mail and television for Los Angeles-based Rapp, whose clients included Bank of America, Lexus, Toyota, DirectTV and Hewlett-Packard.

Whitney spent 11 years with RappCollins Worldwide in New York City, where he served as group creative director for television, print and direct mail. He was also executive producer for the agency's broadcast department. Under his supervision, the agency conducted campaigns for Sports Illustrated, the New York Knicks, Mercedes-Benz, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Forbes magazine, Chase Manhattan Bank and U.S. Navy recruiting.

"Today's consumers really have the power to select how, what, when and where they receive their marketing messages, so relevance has never been more critical," Whitney said. "By leveraging our extensive data to help inform, we can deliver not only relevant, but compelling and memorable stories to Christian consumers."

Linda Johnson-LeBlanc has joined the staff of Judson Press as marketing director.

“Linda brings a rich mix of skills in market analysis and project management as well as experience in product placement, pricing and promotion from a long history in the corporate settings of pharma and IT,” said Laura Alden, publisher at the American Baptist press. “I believe you will find Linda to be a responsive and helpful colleague. Please join me in welcoming her to our world!”

Johnson-LeBlanc can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 800-222-3872, ext. 2458.

Shawn Myers has been promoted to chief operations officer at Bridge-Logos, the Alachua, Fla., charismatic publisher that was recently acquired by three new owners. Myers, who has been with the company about seven years, also retains her position as sales and marketing manager.

The former owner of the company was Catherine “Kitty” Morrell, co-founder of the company, who died in 2009. The new owners are: Suzanne Wooldridge, the daughter of Guy and Kitty Morrell; Ed Harding, former president of New Wine Ministries in the United Kingdom; and Lloyd Hildebrand, Bridge-Logos' publisher.

HarperCollins Christian Publishing announced that Stuart Bitting has resigned his position as CFO, effective Feb. 1, after five years in the role. Bitting plans to pursue a “unique opportunity” with a healthcare company in Nashville. 

Troy Edens, senior vice president and controller, is stepping in as the interim finance team leader. Edens has been part of Thomas Nelson since 1998 and has worked closely with Stuart, actively engaging in the company’s daily financial work. 

“Our priorities are to remain on track with our integration work as planned and to expand the reach of our authors and brands,” said Casey Harrell, the company’s director of corporate communications.

Worthy Publishing has appointed industry veteran Mark Gilroy as a senior vice president and associate publisher. Gilroy will manage the Freeman-Smith imprint, working closely with founder Ron Smith, who will continue in product development and key account management.

Gilroy has had a successful career in all phases of publishing, working with top authors such as Max Lucado, Beth Moore and Newt Gingrich on numerous best-selling projects. His most recent role was publisher of the gift, specialty and backlist books for Thomas Nelson.

"As we continue to build Worthy Publishing, we want to attract strong, energetic leaders, and Mark Gilroy fits that bill," said Byron Williamson, president and CEO of Worthy. "In my years of working with Mark at Integrity Publishers and Thomas Nelson, I know he has tremendous passion for books and great understanding of the marketplace. He and Ron will make a remarkable team."

Gilroy added: "I've enjoyed my recent work as an author, agent and book packager, but when Byron calls with a big idea, you have to listen. I'm honored and excited to jump on board and work with the talented team at Worthy. I'm not sure how many individuals in publishing can match Byron's track record for building great companies based on high-impact books."

In addition to his work as a publisher, Gilroy has written two novels, Cuts Like a Knife and Every Breath You Take (both Worthy Publishing). He was also the co-writer of Don Soderquist's The Wal-Mart Way: The Inside Story of the Success of the World's Largest Company (Thomas Nelson).