#bjeg

So who is replacing these players in the BJU Family Feud? 

Steve Dickinson is likely the replacement for Marshall Franklin. That’s easy. 

After Thursday’s special meeting about Ken Bixby’s (somewhat forced) resignation as CEO of BJUEG, Bill Apelian sent out this affirmation to the Press employees:

Change of any kind--large or small, corporate or individual, wanted or unwanted, expected or surprising--always entails some adjustment and some time to level out.

In order to reassure everything that the recent change in the corporate structure of BJUEG will not change the mission or the momentum of BJU Press, let me address a few concerns that some have expressed.

The change was not precipitous or careless. After much effort, both parties agreed that the philosophies of governance could not be reconciled and the best thing for the companies was to choose one path forward. As Dr. Pettit stated in this morning's meeting, this is in no way a reflection on anyone's character and we sincerely wish Dr. Bixby well in his future endeavors.

The increase in compensation we have enjoyed since the bifurcation of one entity into two (BJUEG and BJU, Inc.) is possible because of that bifurcation. As Dr. Pettit noted, that separation has benefitted both companies. BJU Press had plans in place already to address this need as soon as funds could be accessed. When the bifurcation was accomplished, we were then in a position to act on those plans. With the Lord's continued blessing, we are determined to continue assessing and addressing that important issue. The recently announced change has no impact on compensation plans. You will be receiving word in the next couple of business days from the Chairman of the Board of BJUEG regarding pay raises.

The Lord has increasingly prospered BJU Press for many years now, and we are grateful for the steady growth. The hard work and passion of everyone reading this has brought about enormous influence in Christian education. BJU Press is committed to sustaining and bolstering our core: biblical worldview shaping combined with academic rigor, supported by appropriate technology. And that mission has not changed (though our products have become more and more clearly focused on it) since the beginning days.

Thank you for putting your talent and heart into what we do. BJU Press has changed the world--not until Eternity will we really know just how much.

William E. Apelian President, BJU Press

The Press employees did get a raise finally after they separated from BJU, Inc. It had been the first raise in years. 

But Apelian is making it sound an awful lot like Bixby and the Board did disagree over something financial. 

So yesterday late afternoon, Steve Pettit sent the following email to the BJUEG employees (this includes the Academy, the Press, the M&G, and the Cleaners):

I am writing to inform you that BJUEG CEP Dr. Ken Bixby resigned this morning. The BJUEG Board and Dr. Bixby have had difficulty become aligned, and we have mutually decided it is best to make this change, though it was a difficult decision. There are no ethical or moral issues. I, along with several members of the BJUEG Board, would like to meet with you in the Academy Auditorium tomorrow--Thursday, August 15 at 10:30am--to walk through the process of moving forward. Please make ever effort to be present for this meeting.

For now, Keith DeFreitas, Ken Still, Bill Apelian, Dan Nelson and Paul Barber and the leaders of the other BJUEG groups will report to a subcommittee of the BJUEG Board.

We appreciate the positive impact Dr. Bixby has made as BJUEG CEO the last 2.5 years. Under his leadership.

* We successfully launched the restructured organization. * There has been a focus on improving the culture within the organization and investments in compensation and people development. * An openness has been created that encourages sharing innovative ideas and listening to those ideas. * BJU Press had experienced sustained growth. * BJA turned enrollment decline into enrollment growth.

We wish Dr. Bixby the best in his future endeavors.

If you have questions regarding this announcement after our meeting tomorrow, you may contact the leader of your BJUEG group.

Regards,

At the meeting where BJUEG, the for-profit arm of BJU, Inc., proposed an elementary school?

Police had to be called to manage flaring tempers.