Richard Baker Receives Christian Retailing’s VIP Award

Contact: Karen Steele
(616) 676-9185 x 100
ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup. com
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Ada, Mich. (May 6, 2014)—On April 24, Christine Johnson, editor for Christian Retailing, presented Richard Baker, Chairman of the Board for the Baker Book House Company, with a VIP (Visionary Industry Pioneer) trophy at Baker Publishing Group’s 75th Anniversary Reception.

Christian Retailing magazine has honored several Industry Pioneers over the years for their accomplishments and service to the Christian products industry. Past recipients included Ken Taylor, founder of Tyndale House Publishers in Illinois; Wally Bronner, founder of Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in Michigan; and Bill Greig II of Gospel Light in California.

After not giving the award for several years, Christian Retailing Publisher Steve Strang felt that the 75th anniversary of the Baker Book House Company was an appropriate setting to honor one of the most respected publishers in our industry for his leadership and service to Christian publishing. The award stated, “Christian Retailing honors Richard Baker of Baker Publishing Group for building one of America’s great publishing companies and blessing the lives of millions.”

Richard Baker began working with the Baker Book House Company as a youth and calls Baker Book House, “the only job I ever had.” He effectively worked his way up the ranks and held a position in the sales department before serving as President from 1987 to 1997. This decade represented a time of growth, success, and vision. Under his leadership, the Baker Book House Company acquired the Fleming H. Revell Company and Chosen Books, expanded their selection of academic titles, and began working heavily with both US and foreign distributors.

“The Baker Publishing Group team has still not fully explored all the opportunities that were generated through Rich Baker’s expanded vision, even though his term as president concluded in 1997,” said Dwight Baker, President of the Baker Book House Company. “So many aspects of our company today can trace a path back to Rich Baker’s activities and ideas, and we’ll need at least another decade to fully investigate all the opportunities that he generated for us. We’re just getting started, and it’s very good work.”

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

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