Augsburg Fortress CEO Will Not Seek Third Term, Search Process Begun

MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- The Rev. Marvin L. Roloff, president and chief executive officer of Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), announced Oct. 26 he will not seek a third term when his present four-year term concludes in 2004. Roloff, 67, informed the board of trustees of Augsburg Fortress of his plans during the board's Oct. 25-27 meeting here.
Following Roloff's announcement, the board adopted a resolution that outlined a search process for his successor.
The board's executive committee selected a firm that will work with the board of trustees to study leadership needs, and it named a search committee for Roloff's successor, Timothy I. Maudlin, board chair, Eden Prairie, Minn., said in a report to the board.
The study process may go into the first quarter of 2002, Maudlin said. It is intended to listen to key church stakeholders and invite suggestions about qualities needed for leadership of Augsburg Fortress, he said. Key stakeholders include church leaders, customers and employees, he said.
After a position description is determined with input from the study, the board, in consultation with and with approval of the ELCA presiding bishop, is expecting to elect a successor sometime in 2002, Maudlin said.
The ELCA constitution specifies a process by which a president and chief executive officer for Augsburg Fortress is selected. The ELCA presiding bishop and search committee work together to determine a nominee. The president and chief executive officer is elected by the Augsburg Fortress board of trustees.
Roloff, who will serve on the search committee, is expected to work with the next president and chief executive officer in a transition period, Maudlin said. Roloff may remain with the company in another capacity depending on the wishes of his successor, Maudlin said. Maudlin praised Roloff for his longtime work for the publisher and for informing the executive committee early of his plans.
Roloff informed Augsburg Fortress employees of his plans in a series of meetings at the publisher's offices here after he made his announcement to the trustees. The company has 300 employees here and across the country.
"It is not easy to leave a job I have loved for many years," said Roloff, who has been with the publisher for 36 years. "I'm making this announcement now to allow the board to seek new leadership and provide for a smooth transition. I thank God for allowing me to be a servant in church publishing."
"I am deeply appreciative of Marv Roloff's work as the leader for Augsburg Fortress Publishers," said the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop. "Under his leadership, the publishing house has reshaped itself to compete in today's publishing climate, integrated modern technology into its operations and worked to maintain its role as a ministry of the ELCA. I wish Marv and Augsburg Fortress every good fortune as they look to the future."
Roloff said he is not planning to retire and said he may remain involved in publishing. In an interview, he said he is interested in teaching and in projects that address causes of violence and ways to overcome it in homes and workplaces, he said.
"I want to thank God for the rich ministry I have had in publishing," he said. "It has been a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of the ELCA publishing house."
"I thank the congregations of this church for their loyalty to Augsburg Fortress Publishers," Roloff said. "The partnership that the publishing house has with congregations is vital to fulfilling the mission of this church."
Roloff also challenged the church to communicate with the publishing house beyond purchasing materials. Congregations and members must inform the publisher about how it can better serve the ELCA, he added.
Roloff first became the leader for Augsburg Fortress in 1995, when he served for one year as acting president and chief executive officer succeeding Gary J.N. Aamodt, who resigned. He was elected to a four-year term that began in 1996, and re-elected to a second four-year term which began in 2000.
During his tenure, Augsburg Fortress closed its printing facilities, centralized order-taking and distribution, implemented new technology, and developed its Web site and online store. The company reorganized its operations twice hoping to serve the church more effectively and improve its financial situation. It also reduced staff during the reorganizations. Presently, the company is working to stabilize its finances and rebuild its assets.
Roloff said he would have preferred to leave at a time when the publisher was "in better financial health." "My decision is not an effort to escape the issues ahead of us," Roloff said in an interview. "I recognize that a change in leadership may be able to effect some change."
Roloff earned a bachelor's degree in 1955 from Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, an ELCA higher education institution. In 1960 he earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, an ELCA seminary. He earned a master of theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J. in 1961.
Roloff was ordained in 1961. He served as a pastor of youth and education at Grace Lutheran Church, Green Bay, Wis. Roloff began working with the Augsburg Publishing House of the former American Lutheran Church (ALC) in 1965 as editor of the "Word, Faith, Grace" confirmation series. He served in curriculum and resource development, and in 1976 became director for education resources for Augsburg.
Roloff remained with the company when Augsburg Fortress Publishers was formed after the ALC merged with the Lutheran Church in America and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in 1987 to form the ELCA. Roloff served as vice president for marketing from 1991 to 1993 and customer resources and relationships from 1993 to 1995 for Augsburg Fortress.
Roloff served as consultant to the United States Armed Forces Curriculum Selection Committee for 21 years. From 1997 to 1999, he was president of the Protestant Church-Owned Publishers' Association. Roloff was a member of the national advisory committee of the American Bible Society. As a member of the executive committee of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.'s governing body, he chaired its Bible Translation and Utilization Committee for the past five years.
Roloff has been adjunct professor of Christian education at Luther Seminary, an ELCA seminary in St. Paul, Minn., for 11 years and a guest lecturer at numerous other seminaries. In 1994, Wartburg Seminary awarded him an honorary doctorate.
Roloff and his wife, Shirley, are parents of three grown children. The Roloffs are members of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Minn., and reside in Bloomington.

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