Thomas Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt was surprised by the news of Anderson's departure, which--without explanation--was announced Friday, Oct. 30. "We will certainly feel the loss of Bill's presence in our industry," he said. "He loved Christian retail and took seriously both the ministry and business aspects of it. I am sad knowing that this is in a real sense the end of an era. That being said, I feel confident that the organization will find a strong and capable replacement who can lead them into the future."

Jim Kregel--president of Kregel Parable Christian Stores in Grand Rapids, Mich., which was recognized with a CBA Spirit of Excellence Award during the International Christian Retail Show in Denver this summer--was also surprised by the suddenness of the announcement.

"He has been a pillar for the industry," he said. "He has upheld important values. He has been a good articulator of issues and a great encourager of excellent Christian retailing. He will be missed. I commend him for the great work he has done through the years."

Parable Group CEO Steve Potratz said he was shocked to learn of Anderson's resignation. "I have known Bill for well over 20 years," he said. "We have served on boards together, and I've been in his presence a lot. He is a man of God. I often marvel at his ability to synthesize a discussion and then put just the right words together so that everyone understands. He is a master communicator, inspirational leader and friend. We will deeply miss his leadership in our industry."

Munce Group founder and President Bob Munce said he did not expect the resignation. "The reality is that no one in this industry is a kingpin," he said. "The industry will do fine without any of us. That is why it is important to do our work as unto the Lord. What matters is our faithful service, not our legacy."

However, gift company P. Graham Dunn President Peter Dunn said he was not surprised by the news. "Bill has served in that position for a long time-much longer than equivalent CEOs in comparable organizations," said Dunn, a former CBA board member. "This is a stressful job in a stressed industry. Bill has reached the age where it would be expected that he makes a decision of this nature.

"What is surprising is that he chose to serve in this position as long as he did, given the continued fracturing and implosion of retail as we all once knew it," he added. "Anyone else would have quit long before this."

Dwight Baker, president of Baker Publishing Group, the parent company of Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, Mich., said Anderson "modeled a uniquely conciliatory spirit, which was most salient when he was surrounded by parties of conflicted demands and interests."

Other retail associations "could learn from Bill's navigational skills, which pointed us all toward reconciliation-rather than heightened tensions," he said. "For me, Bill demonstrated the enduring benefits of a cooperative vision. If that spirit departs from our industry with Bill Anderson, it's our own shame and our own loss."

LifeWay Christian Stores Vice President Mark Scott added: "Bill Anderson has served the CBA industry with integrity as an articulate spokesman and inspirational leader for the past two and a half decades. His passion for the distribution of Christ-centered products through Christian retail has been second to none. He will be greatly missed. I will be praying for the CBA board as its members begin the process of finding a replacement."

Dunn said Anderson's resignation won't affect suppliers as much as it will impact retailers. "It will affect P. Graham Dunn primarily as it pertains to how trade shows are conducted in the future," he said. "The annual summer trade show continues to be an important marketing arm of our business. ... Bill's resignation is somewhat equivalent to a pastor resigning who has served one congregation for 30 years. It will be disconcerting for a number of retailers who have operated only under the leadership of Bill Anderson. Bill was an inspiring leader whose glass was generally half full-not half empty."