In recognition of his publishing leadership at InterVarsity Press, and his commitment to global student evangelism, Bob Fryling will be given the ECPA Chairperson's Award at the ECPA Leadership Summit on May 3rd in Nashville.

Bob Fryling, publisher, InterVarsity Press

© Victor Rivera Images

Bob Fryling serves as the publisher of InterVarsity Press and has been involved with both InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and InterVarsity Press (IVP) for nearly 50 years. Under his leadership, IVP has consistently appeared on the list of "Best Christian Workplaces" and has brought diversity to its workplace and diverse voices to the marketplace.

Fryling has invested his leadership, wisdom, and friendship in the industry through his role in ECPA, serving for 11 years as a board member and a valued participant on industry committees and at events. Fryling has announced his retirement from InterVarsity Press effective June 2016.

"Bob is one of the wisest and most forward-thinking people I have ever had the privilege of working with," said Stan Jantz, ECPA's executive director. "As an ECPA board member and the publisher of IVP, Bob has had an enormous influence on our industry. All of us at ECPA are so very grateful for Bob's service on the board and his contributions to Christian publishing."

Respected for his leadership in various capacities, Fryling is the author of The Leadership Ellipse: Shaping How We Lead by Who We Are. Together with his wife, Alice, he has coauthored A Handbook for Engaged Couples, A Handbook for Married Couples, and Handbook for Parents. Fryling also contributed a poignant chapter on his leadership experience in Transformation of a Man's Heart, which was edited and compiled by Stephen W. Smith.

"I feel greatly honored by this award even though I have been much more the beneficiary of Christian books than a contributor," said Fryling, who plans to retire this summer. "But I am thankful for all of my colleagues at InterVarsity Press and throughout the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association for their meaningful partnership in Christian publishing. I am deeply grateful."

The Award presentation will take place at the Industry's Award Celebration held in conjunction with the ECPA Leadership Summit, the evening of May 3rd at the Sheraton Music City in Nashville.

The ECPA Chairperson's Award is given in recognition of an individual or organization's outstanding contribution to the industry or society at large at the ECPA Board Chair's discretion. Past recipients of the award include Jim Carlson and Bill Bright. For more information, and to view a list of past recipients, visit the ECPA website.

To learn more and register for the industry's Leadership Summit held May 3-4 in Nashville, visit ECPALeadership.org. (Your event registration includes your reservation to the Industry Awards Ceremony.) For tickets to the Awards Ceremony only, contact ECPA.