PRESS RELEASE

Friendship Press Welcomes New CEO, Dr. Brian Sigmon

For Distribution July 29, 2024

Bishop Teresa E. Snorton, Chair of the Board, Friendship Press       cmebishop59@teresasnorton.com

The Board of Friendship Press, Inc. enthusiastically welcomes Dr. Brian Sigmon as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr. Sigmon has more than a decade of experience in the religious publishing industry, most recently as an Acquisitions Editor for Abingdon Press. Sigmon has a B.A. degree in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina, a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University.

Dr. Sigmon will begin his tenure with Friendship Press on August 5, 2024. In addition to his work at Abingdon Press, he has served as the Editor for the Daily Christian Advocate for the General Conference of the United Methodist Church since 2015. He has also taught university classes on the Hebrew Bible. 

“Friendship Press has a rich legacy as the publisher for the National Council of Churches, and I have tremendous respect for the RSV, NRSV, and NRSVUE Bible translations,” said Sigmon. “I am honored to lead Friendship Press and look forward to publishing books that tell compelling stories, cultivate sacred wisdom, and promote justice and peace.” 

Friendship Press began its publishing efforts on June 27, 1935. The editorial and publishing team produced a variety of works that expressed its value commitments and support for the health and welfare of children, constructive race relations, church missions, vibrant culture, and peace among nations. In January of 2018, after nearly twenty years of inactivity, the Friendship Press Board of Directors reactivated its operations. Rooted in the values and commitments of its past and supported by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., the Press resolves to honor these same commitments today and in the future: concern for fairness, justice, and the well-being of all peoples.

Friendship Press holds the copyrights for several Bible properties, including the Revised Standard Version (RSV), the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE). The Press recently launched The People’s Book, audio books of selected chapters of the Bible (NRSVUE) read by Black, Brown, Asian and Indigenous religious leaders.

For more information on Friendship Press, visit our website at www.friendshippress.org.

To contact Dr. Sigmon, email ceo@friendshippress.org.