A veteran of evangelical publishing, Cliff Knighten has been hired as the new full-time executive director of the Catholic Book Publishers Association (CBPA), which has 70 members.

Knighten previously served as marketing director for NavPress and Piñon Press, general market division director for David C. Cook and manager of Viva Bookstore, a large independent Catholic bookstore in San Antonio.

Knighten, who was involved with the emergent movement and pastored two different evangelical churches, told Christian Retailing that he converted to Catholicism in 2007.

"The mission of the CBPA is to support the sustainability of viable and vibrant Catholic publishing, particularly in North America," said Knighten, appointed in October. "We are also looking at new opportunities to raise awareness--both within the Catholic church and beyond-of the Catholic publishing industry, our publisher members and their content."

Knighten replaced Terry Wessels, former part-time executive director of the CBPA who will continue to serve the organization on a project-by-project basis.

The CBPA board hosted a reception Feb. 25 to introduce Knighten and honor Wessels' contributions to the organization. The event was held in conjunction with the annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, Calif.

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