In a move said to be designed to more tightly align the company's sales, marketing and publishing efforts, Thomas Nelson has announced changes to its executive leadership team.

A former Borders executive who joined Nelson four years ago, Tami Heim stepped down last Friday as executive vice president and chief publishing officer, while Mark Schoenwald--formerly chief sales officer--was promoted to president and chief operating officer. Meanwhile, Michael Hyatt relinquished his title as president, but he will continue to serve as CEO--focusing more on author relations, acquisitions and product development.

"This structure will free me up to be more directly involved in working with our authors to create the most compelling products and marketing possible," Hyatt said on his blog. "Mark will handle the day-to-day aspects of publishing."

Heim told Christian Retailing that she was "sad to be leaving an amazing family at Thomas Nelson," but she had "great excitement toward the future and the next assignment God has planned for me. I leave feeling only love and appreciation for this experience and all the people." Heim added that she had no immediate plans, but was "taking some time to wait on God."

Hyatt, who praised Heim's ability to help Nelson "view our business from a retailer's point-of-view," said the changes will better position the company to "win big as the economy begins to recover."

"With even better products and a closer alignment between sales and publishing, we will be better able to meet the challenges we are facing in the marketplace," he added.

No other jobs were impacted in the leadership changes, but Nelson has not ruled out future streamlining. "As we consolidate the publishing and sales team under Mark, we might find some job duplication ... and will respond accordingly," said Lindsey Nobles, director of corporate communications.

Thomas Nelson terminated 54 employees in December due to the slowdown in the economy. The Nashville-based publisher also cut 60 jobs last April due to the company's decision to reduce the number of new titles it published.

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