James T. Stephens

     EBSCO Industries, Inc., is the largest subscription agency in the world and the world’s largest manufacturer of fishing lures—a model success story for resourcefulness, imagination, initiative, and creativity.

     It is a reflection of the innovative and enterprising leadership of James T. Stephens, one of Alabama’s most gracious and generous business leaders.             

     Born and raised in Birmingham, Stephens is a product of the public schools. Among the profound experiences of his childhood are the lessons from his parents, Elton and Alys. “Their example taught a mix of commitment, fairness, determination, patience, integrity, kindness, loyalty, and sheer hard work,” says F. Dixon Brooke Jr., vice president and general manager, EBSCO Industries Inc.

     Stephens was also deeply affected by his experiences as a Boy Scout, and it is only one of many organizations that has profited from his wise leadership and generous support. He is past president of the board of trustees of Altamont School and Highlands Day School; board member of The University of Alabama Health Services Foundation finance committee; and a member of the board of trustees of Birmingham-Southern College.

     A member of the American Library Association, Stephens served as chairman of a very successful campaign in the mid 1990s for the School of Library and Information Studies at The University of Alabama.

     Stephens received his undergraduate degree from Yale and an M.B.A. from Harvard. In 1970, after service in the army and eight years working in the family business, he was named C.E.O. of EBSCO, a complex business organization with a diverse mix of companies. He was only 30 years old but his remarkable talents helped EBSCO become the second largest privately owned business in Alabama with 22 companies, 75 profit centers, 4,500 employees, and annual sales in excess of one billion dollars.  The company has never had a “loss” year.

     EBSCO’S Information Services has two divisions that provide vital resources to libraries. The Subscription Services Division provides 47,000 libraries with subscription services from its title database of 265,000 serial publications. The Publishing Division authors 100,000 abstracts for journal abstracts each month; optically scans and makes electronically searchable 62,000 articles a month; and delivers 50 million page views over the Internet.

     “My main hobby is probably my work and trying to meet the challenge of making things work in an organizational environment. That puts you with people. It provides the challenge of whatever organizational mission you are connected with, and that’s a pleasure,” says Stephens.

     And indeed for lovers of libraries and information the world over, it is a pleasure to recognize Jim Stephens by induction into the Communication Hall of Fame.