Lockhart Out at Zondervan

by Lynn Garrett, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 5/23/2007

Zondervan announced this morning that president and CEO Doug Lockhart is stepping down from his position effective June 1. Bruce Ryskamp, former president and CEO, will serve as interim president and CEO. Ryskamp retired from Zondervan in 2005, when Lockhart took the helm.

In a statement, Lockhart said, "I consider it a great privilege to have served in this role and to have been a part of the tremendous Zondervan family, which is truly the most dedicated, loyal and mission-minded team of people I have ever worked with. I look forward to a smooth transition and will pray for the continued success of the organization as it strives to achieve its mission and continue its leadership in Christian publishing."

Erin Crum, spokesperson for HarperCollins, parent company of Zondervan, declined to elaborate on the reason for Lockhart's departure. "We don't usually discuss personnel matters," she said. Lockhart was not available for comment. Zondervan's sales declined after the enormous success of The Purpose-Driven Life several years ago, but HC CEO Jane Friedman had said that the company was "recovering" in the third quarter.

Bruce Ryskamp joined Zondervan in 1983 as v-p of the Bible division. He became president and CEO in 1993, a position he held until his retirement. Since then he has continued to work with Zondervan HarperCollins, serving as a special adviser to Friedman.