Ted Rosenbladt is a founder of 1517 and acts oversees 1517's Information Technology. He is an entrepreneur who has created and owned a number of businesses, whose career expertise is focused on design and technology, customer support, logistics, and team management. He lives in southern California with his three children.

Samuel Schuldheisz serves as pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA. He and his wife, Natasha, have two children, Zoe and Jonah. His reading, research, and writing interests focus on the Inklings, Imaginative Apologetics, and the crossroads of theology, literature, and the imagination.

Craig Donofrio is a Lutheran Pastor, the author of many published articles, and has been a media professional since 1993. Craig, his wife Paula, and their dogs live in Willmar, MN.

Wade Johnston serves as associate professor of history and theology at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI. He studied at Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary before ordination. He earned a joint PhD in history from Erasmus University in Rotterdam and Central Michigan University. He writes on history, theology, and philosophy. He cohosts the Let the Bird Fly podcast.

Valerie Locklair Thur is a Fellow of the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, where she also earned the Diploma of Christian Apologetics. She is the author of "Called to Defend: An Apologetics Handbook" and a contributing writer and speaker for 1517. Her areas of interest include apologetics for the next generation and connecting the defense of the faith to different branches of knowledge.

Seth Moorman is the Strategy and Marketing Executive at 1517, where he works to connect people to the good news of freedom in Christ through clear communication, creative planning, and the occasional spreadsheet. Before joining 1517, he served for 18 years as a parish pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Long Beach, California, where he still lives with his family and an ever-growing collection of Star Wars memorabilia. He earned a master’s degree in theology and culture from the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center at Concordia University Irvine. Earlier in life, he was a classroom teacher and camp program director, roles that taught him how to wrangle both whiteboards and camp vans with equal determination. He can also cook up a mean s'more. 

Rick Ritchie resides in Southern California and is a graduate of Christ College Irvine and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has contributed to the books Christ the Lord: The Reformation and Lordship Salvation, Let Christ be Christ, and Theologia and Apologia.

Steve Byrnes served as Director of Publishing for 1517 for more than a decade, shaping the character of our book program and helping establish 1517 as a trusted voice in Lutheran and Christian publishing. He brought together theological clarity, careful craftsmanship, and a deep commitment to the freedom of the gospel, guiding projects from first draft to finished book with steady leadership and pastoral sensitivity.

Steve holds degrees in English Literature and History from Concordia University Irvine, an MA in Biblical Studies from Westminster Seminary California, and an MA in Publishing from George Washington University. Before joining 1517, he worked for over twenty years in the graphic arts and printing industry, where he developed a lasting respect for the weight, texture, and beauty of a well-made book.

During his time at 1517, Steve oversaw the editing, design, and production of a wide range of titles that carry the comfort of Christ into churches, seminaries, and homes. His influence continues to shape how 1517 publishes resources that speak clearly of Christ for you.

Steve now serves as Secretary of the 1517 Board of Directors. In retirement, he looks forward to reading at a gentler pace, spending time with family, and enjoying books without a red pen in hand, although he may still offer an occasional unsolicited editorial note.

Bruce Hillman is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He Holds a BA in History and Political Science from Quinnipiac University, an MDiv. from the Lutheran Brethren Seminary, and an STM in Patristics from Drew University; He is the former Lead Pastor at Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church in Succasunna New Jersey where he served for 16 years. His research involves Augustinian studies, Early Christianity, Postmodernism, and hermeneutics. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and cooking. He is an avid student of both British and Japanese cultures and traditions. Other areas of academic interest include: Karl Barth, the question of certainty, Ancient Near-Eastern Wisdom Literature, Asian Christianity, church and culture, and philosophies of truth.

Donavon Riley is a husband, father, pastor, hosts The Banned Books and Warrior Priest podcasts, has authored three books, written hundreds of articles, is a mixed martial arts instructor, a story-teller, and friend of trees.