Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. has announced the hiring of Steven Alderman to the newly created position of director of sales.

Alderman will be responsible for sales to domestic and foreign religious trade stores, national chains and distributors. He will also oversee national accounts and wholesalers, and manage distribution and inventory as well as the sales team, rights and permissions, special sales and book club sales.

Alderman has more than 15 years of experience in the book publishing industry, most recently serving as the key account manager for general market sales at Thomas Nelson. Prior to Thomas Nelson, Alderman was the national accounts sales manager for Standard Publishing, Eerdmans officials said.