Klinner named executive director-elect of Shocco

Klinner named executive director-elect of Shocco

More than half his life has been dedicated to Alabama Baptists’ official camp and conference center — and now his dream of overseeing it has been realized.

Russell Klinner, 40, was named executive director-elect of Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega on May 18. He was elected by the Shocco Springs board of trustees.

Board chairman Dr. Byron Phillips, a physician and member of First Baptist Church, Oxford, said, “After an extensive nationwide search, as chairman of the board of trustees for Shocco Springs I am pleased to announce that Russell Klinner has been named the executive director-elect to assume the position of executive director on Jan. 1, 2018, after the retirement of Mr. Buster Taylor, our current executive director.”

‘God’s man’

Taylor, who has been on the Shocco staff since 1980 and the executive director since 1989, said, “It has been my pleasure to work alongside the Shocco search team as they sought God’s direction for the next leader of this ministry.

“Together a process was established that allowed all involved to arrive at the same conclusion — that Russell Klinner was God’s man to lead Shocco into the next chapter,” Taylor said. “I look forward to assisting him as this transition of leadership unfolds.”

Klinner has worked full-time for Shocco for 20 years in various capacities and served four additional years prior to that as a student. He is a graduate of Talladega High School and Troy University.

Klinner and his wife, Rebekah, have two children — Leah, 12, and Will, 9 — and are members of First Baptist Church, Pell City.

“I am excited about the opportunity to continue serving the staff and guests of Shocco,” Klinner said following the announcement. “I am thankful for the heritage established by Dr. George Ricker and Mr. Buster Taylor as well as other Alabama Baptist leaders.

“I look forward to working alongside the board and staff in glorifying God through the ministry of Shocco Springs,” Klinner said.

Ricker — for whom the Ricker Activities Center at Shocco is named — became the first full-time director of Shocco in 1970.

During Ricker’s years as director, Shocco was placed among the top 12 facilities of its kind in the nation. He continually emphasized the ministry of Shocco and frequently emphasized that Shocco “is so much more than just building buildings.”

Shocco now consists of 10 guest hotels and lodges, a large main conference center with 54 meeting areas, two chapels, three activities centers, adventure camp lodging and spacious grounds with many recreation options. The total guest capacity is 1,553. In 2016, Shocco hosted more than 42,000 guests in more than 500 events.

Taylor’s retirement and legacy will be featured in a future issue of The Alabama Baptist. (TAB, Shocco)