Keener to Step Down as EPA’s Executive Director

Lamar Keener, EPA’s executive director since 2015, has announced his plans to step down from his role at the end of 2026, completing 12 years at the helm of the association.

Keener originally joined the EPA staff under former director Doug Trouten in 2012 to serve as the finance manager.

“It has been an amazing and rewarding experience working for EPA for the past 14 years,” said Keener. “It was the perfect job for me coming off a 25-year career in publishing newspapers and magazines. It allowed me to utilize all the skills I had developed through running a business with my wife, Theresa, who was also a great partner with me in EPA with her graphic design, web development, and event management skills.”

The Keeners joined EPA in 1988 when they began publishing the Christian Times newspaper in San Diego. Eventually renamed the Christian Examiner, the newspaper expanded into multiple editions in Southern California, Seattle, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. They later published Refreshed magazine.

Over the years, both Lamar and Theresa served at different times on the EPA board, first as Treasurer and later as President. They have attended 35 conventions, including the last 33 conventions, missing only the 1992 event.

Keener’s tenure as executive director included the following initiatives:

• Jerry Jenkins Scholarship Fund
• Douglas J. Trouten Memorial Scholarship
• DigitalMediaCon conference
• Liaison expanded to 12-16 pages and published quarterly
• Emerging Journalist Award
• Terry White Lifetime Achievement Award
• Best in Class Contest
• Acquisition of Magazine Training International
• Benefit Partner Program
• Legacy Council
• Updated Code of Ethics
• Tyndale grants for international convention guests
• Credit-card style, personally inscribed press cards

Posted July 1, 2026