Executives from Zondervan and Thomas Nelson 'to preserve publishing groups' unique editorial focus'

HarperCollins’ new Christian division, comprised of Zondervan and the newly acquired Thomas Nelson, has announced its new leadership team, featuring executives from both publishers.

Reporting to Mark Schoenwald, newly named president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing Division, the team includes:

• Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Stuart Bitting (formerly executive vice president and CFO at Thomas Nelson);
• Senior Vice President of Zondervan Book Publishing Annette Bourland (formerly senior vice president and publisher at Zondervan);
• Senior Vice President of Thomas Nelson Book Publishing David Moberg (formerly vice president and group publisher at Thomas Nelson);
• Senior Vice President of Bible Publishing Chip Brown (formerly senior vice president and publisher at Zondervan);
• Senior Vice President of Church, Academic and Reference Resources Paul Engle (formerly senior vice president and publisher at Zondervan);
• Zondervan Editor-in-Chief Stan Gundry (formerly executive vice president and editor-in-chief at Zondervan);
• Senior Vice President of eMedia Eric Shanfelt, who had the same position at Thomas Nelson;
• Senior Vice President of Spanish and International Publishing Tod Shuttleworth (formerly senior vice president and group publisher at Thomas Nelson);
• Managing Director of Live Events Management Carol Nygren (formerly executive vice president and managing director of live event management at Thomas Nelson);
• Senior Vice President of Sales Tom Knight, who held the same position at Thomas Nelson;
• General Manager of Bible Gateway Rachel Barach, who had the same position at Zondervan;
• Senior Vice President of Support Operations and Human Resources Al Kerkstra, who held the same position at Zondervan; and
• Director of Corporate Communications Casey Harrell, who had the same position at Thomas Nelson.

“I am confident in this team’s ability to lead the company through decisions that will be crucial for driving growth and fulfilling the publishing groups’ missions,” Schoenwald said. “We will continue to work through every aspect of the business to build an organization focused on innovation and execution, committed to honoring God and serving our partners.”

Announced in September, the leadership team will “work together to preserve the two publishing group’s unique editorial focus, while pursuing mutually beneficial collaborative opportunities for the new division,” HarperCollins said.

Formerly president and CEO of Thomas Nelson, Schoenwald reports to Brian Murray, president and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide, and serves on the HarperCollins executive committee.

Schoenwald continues to be based in Nashville, and will spend part of his time in Grand Rapids, Mich., where Zondervan will continue its operations. However, it has only signed a one-year lease.

Last fall, HarperCollins agreed to buy Thomas Nelson, but did not disclose the purchase price although it was reported by several media outlets to be $200 million. In mid-2010, an investor group led by Kohlberg & Co. bought majority ownership in the Nashville publishing company.

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