CBA named three new board members to fill vacant director positions: Bob Hawkins, Harvest House Publishers president; Randy Davis, Provident Distribution’s sales, marketing and distribution vice president; and Tim Vineyard, LifeWay Christian Stores division president.

Hawkins fills the publisher representative seat; Davis the music and entertainment seat; and Vineyard the chain and franchise representative seat.

“I am honored to welcome these gentlemen with seasoned industry perspectives to the board of directors,” CBA Board Chair Sue Smith of Baker Book House said. “Our industry continues to maneuver through inconceivable transition. Their combined history and expertise bring us the wisdom needed to lead well in the changes we face.”

Hawkins is a second-generation head of one of the leading Christian publishing houses. His late father, Bob Hawkins Sr., founded the company in 1974 with five titles and a dream to publish books to help the hurting. The company publishes more than 150 books annually and reports a backlist of more than 1,200 titles.

Hawkins, who took the corporate reins in 1991, said he loves that books point people to Jesus.

“It gives me great pleasure to know our books deeply impact the lives of countless others who desire to know and grow in Him,” he said.

He once worked at the Fresno Bible House (Fresno, California), one of the strongest independent stores at the time, and which Berean Christian Stores later acquired.

Hawkins said he thinks CBA must come alongside and serve all sectors of the industry and especially strengthen Christian stores amid the many competitive forces they face.

Randy Davis served as the Christian Music Trade Association chairman/president in 2011-2012 and was on the Gospel Music Association board’s executive committee. He also served on the CBA advisory committee that developed industry EDI e-commerce standards.

Davis believes Christian retail is the key to reaching the local church community.

“[Christian stores] are the industry’s hands and feet,” he said.

His belief in Christian resources comes from personal experience, having been discipled by a bookstore staffer from Chicago Bibles & Books in the city’s Irving Park area.

Tim Vineyard, head of the more than 180 LifeWay stores, said CBA is a valuable organization that assists all of its members with research, news, representation, training, best practices and legislative issues. He said he sees CBA’s overall collaborative and cooperative leadership as important to the Christian marketplace and as a key voice to Christian retail.

Vineyard said the Bible has had the most impact in his life, but that other Christian resources, from VBS and Sunday school materials to small group studies, music and more, continue to help him on his faith journey.

The new board members join independent retail directors Andrew Criswell Sr., of Pee Dee Christian Book & Supply, vice chair; Robin Hogan of Christian Cultural Center Bookstore, secretary; David Dickinson of Christian Gifts Place; and Vicki Geist of Cedar Springs Christian Stores. Bill Couey of DaySpring is the gift and specialty director and serves as board treasurer.

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