ELCA NEWS SERVICE
March 9, 2006
Beth Lewis Reappointed President and CEO of ELCA Publisher 06-034-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board of trustees of Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), reappointed Beth A. Lewis to a second four-year term as the company's president and chief executive officer effective Sept. 1. The board acted in consultation with the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop.
Lewis, 51, joined Augsburg Fortress in 2002 after four years as president and owner of Computer Coach, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., a computer and technical school offering software applications and technical training for individuals and organizations. She also hosted a local weekly radio program, "The Computer Coach Show." Lewis brought considerable publishing management experience to the ELCA through several senior-level professional positions with the Times Mirror Book Group based in Los Angeles.
"Beth has done just an exceptional job in turning this operation around," said Dr. Annette Citzler, Augsburg Fortress board of trustees chair, La Grange, Texas. "Our employees are rejuvenated, our customers are so enthusiastic about our products, (and) our authors/writers are excited about the future. It's just a new day at Augsburg Fortress, and all of us on the board are just thrilled that Beth has made all this possible."
In February the company reported it had achieved a $1 million increase in product sales from 2004 to 2005, and exceeded its 2005 sales goal by more than $2 million. It was the first time in 10 years the publisher had a $1 million increase in product sales and exceeded its sales goal. Employees celebrated the accomplishment in Minneapolis last month.
"Beth Lewis has provided exceptional leadership for the ELCA's ministry of publishing," Hanson said. "She has been present throughout this church, listening, building relationships and championing the many diverse, excellent resources produced by Augsburg Fortress."
"Under her visionary leadership Augsburg Fortress is in a strong position in a very competitive and challenging marketplace. The extension of her contract reflects this church's great appreciation for and confidence in her leadership. Of course the most concrete way each of us can express that gratitude is by purchasing Augsburg Fortress books, resources and products, and introducing others to them," Hanson added.
Since her appointment Lewis has presided over a variety of changes in the company's staffing, communication and marketing. With Lewis as its leader the ELCA publisher introduced a series of short books on Lutheran theology called "Lutheran Voices;" an online worship planning resource, Sundaysandseasons.com; and a Vacation Bible School (VBS) series based on the "Davey and Goliath" theme.
The publisher has been a partner with others in the ELCA churchwide organization in developing and planning the "Renewing Worship" project, which will include introduction of a new Lutheran worship book in October, and it published "The Lutheran Handbook" in 2005. The handbook has sold more than 116,000 copies, resulting in a series of spinoff resources, such as "The Christian Handbook" which sold 30,000 copies. Other related resources will be introduced this year.
Lewis oversaw a significant strategic planning effort for Augsburg Fortress. Through its Vacation Bible School program, the company raised some $300,000 designated for building drinking water wells for people southern Bangladesh. In 2005 the company contributed $65,000 in financial gifts it received plus $25,000 of its own funds to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response for hurricane relief and recovery in the U.S. Gulf Coast area.
Lewis resides in Golden Valley, Minn., and is a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. ---
Information about Augsburg Fortress is at http://www.augsburgfortress.org on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog