TROY, Mich. — David R. Ryden has retired as vice president and southern advertising manager after 39 years with Business News Publishing Co.

Ryden sold advertising space in BNP Co.’s four HVAC Division publications: Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration NEWS; Engineered Systems; Service & Contracting; and Snips.

Ryden was a perennial winner of BNP’s Robert M. Price Award for Sales Excellence, which is presented for outstanding market share performance. Ryden consistently accounted for between one-half and two-thirds of all advertising space sold in his territory, including all competitive publications.

HVAC Division group publisher Mike Miller refers to Ryden as “the Michael Jordan of advertising sales. He has continuously raised the bar in performance.”

A graduate of Colorado State University in 1958, Ryden began his career with BNP in Arlington Heights, Ill. He moved to Savannah, Ga. several years ago, where he plans to spend his retirement.

He and his wife Grayce are the parents of two grown children, and they have one grandchild. Ryden’s son, Brett, continues to work in sales for several publications in BNP’s Industrial Division.

Effective July 31, Felipe Arias will begin as the new southern advertising manager for BNP Co.’s HVAC Division.