16 New Mission Presidents to Begin Serving in July 2016

• 9 May 2016

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Sixteen new mission presidents and their wives have been called by the First Presidency. They will begin their service in July.

New Hampshire Manchester Mission

Thomas James Blair, 57, and Heather Barnes Blair, five children, Parkway 2nd Ward, St Louis Missouri Stake: New Hampshire Manchester Mission, succeeding President Philip M. Stoker and Sister Diane Stoker. Brother Blair is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, young single adult branch president, high councilor, ward Young Men president, seminary teacher, and missionary in the England Birmingham Mission. Retired senior executive, Nestle. Born in Ogden, Utah, to William Skeen Blair and Darlene Powell Blair.

Sister Blair serves as a seminary teacher and is a former stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Young Women adviser, and area public affairs committee member. Born in Salt Lake City to Nicholas Alan Barnes and Kathleen Hinckley Barnes Walker.

Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission

Alejandro Calquin Sepulveda, 58, and Susana Abu-Abbarah de Calquin, four children, Enrique Olivares Ward, Santiago Chile Javiera Carrera Stake: Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission, succeeding President Larry L Thurgood and Sister Jean Thurgood. Brother Calquin is a former bishop, branch president, high councilor, stake Young Men president, and missionary in the Santiago Chile North Mission. Area self-reliance operations manager. Born in Santiago, Chile, to Hector Fernando Calquin Sánchez and Rosa Sepulveda de Calquin.

Sister Calquin serves as a ward Relief Society presidency counselor and is a former stake and ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, Sunday School teacher, and seminary teacher. Born in Santiago, Chile, to Rene Abu-Abbarah and Eliza López.

Panamá Panamá City Mission

William Franklin Current, 58, and Susan Steadman Current, four children, Coral Springs Ward, Coral Springs Florida Stake: Panamá Panamá City Mission, succeeding President Curtis Carmack and Sister Melanie Carmack. Brother Current is a former stake president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, ward mission leader, Young Men adviser, and missionary in the Canada Winnipeg Mission. President, Current Consulting Group. Born in Los Angeles, California, to William Franklin Current and Maria de Jesús Sánchez Current.

Sister Current is a former ward Relief Society president, ward Primary presidency counselor, ward family history consultant, nursery leader, Sunday School teacher, and missionary in the México Torreón Mission. Born in Long Beach, California, to Don William Steadman and Roxie Richmond Steadman.

Perú Lima North Mission

Matthew R Godfrey, 45, and Monica Allen Godfrey, five children, Mount Ogden Ward, Ogden Utah East Stake: Perú Lima North Mission, succeeding President John R. Erickson and Sister Annette Erickson. Brother Godfrey serves as a Sunday School teacher and is a former bishop, high councilor, high priests group leader, ward mission leader, elders quorum president, and missionary in the Venezuela Caracas Mission. Owner, Better City. Born in Ogden, Utah, to William Verl Godfrey and Carol Jeanne Jennings Godfrey.

Sister Godfrey is a former ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, and Gospel Doctrine teacher. Born in Durham, North Carolina, to David Edgar Allen and Patricia More Allen.

Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission

Jeffrey Clyde Harper, 59, and Kim Elizabeth Vandever Harper, five children, Rupert 1st Ward, Rupert Idaho Stake: Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission, succeeding President Joseph P. Benson and Sister Heidi Benson. Brother and Sister Harper recently served as a senior missionary couple. He is a former mission presidency counselor, stake presidency counselor, stake mission president, bishop, elders quorum president, and missionary in the Canada Toronto Mission. Retired manager, Mart Produce. Born in Burley, Idaho, to Clyde G. Harper and Vonda Merrill Harper.

Sister Harper is a former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, Sunday School teacher, and Primary music leader. Born in Burley, Idaho, to Billie Lenton Vandever and Virginia Elelealoha Kirkham Vandever.

Perú Cusco Mission

Henry Herrera Linares, 45, and Alicia Cordova de Herrera, two children, Para Chico Ward, Tacna Perú Alameda Stake: Perú Cusco Mission, succeeding President Robert C. Harbertson and Sister Vicki Harbertson. Brother Herrera is a former stake president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, stake clerk, and missionary in the Peru Lima North Mission. Coordinator, Seminaries and Institutes. Born in Pueblo Libre, Lima, Perú, to Ricardo Herrera and Irma Linares de Herrera.

Sister Herrera serves as a stake Relief Society secretary and is a former institute teacher, ward Primary president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, and seminary teacher. Born in Jesús María, Lima, Perú, to Raúl Córdova Collana and Ennerita Salas de Córdova.

Philippines Quezon City Mission

David John Koster, 45, and Mary Myrle Glazier Koster, four children, Twin Peaks Ward, Poway California Stake: Philippines Quezon City Mission, succeeding President Carlos Revillo and Sister Marites Revillo. Brother Koster is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, stake clerk, ward Young Men presidency counselor, and missionary in the Philippines Baguio Mission. Chief executive officer, Instat Services. Born in Bellevue, Washington, to Rey Edward Koster and Marcia Monson Koster.

Sister Koster serves as a nursery leader and is a former ward Relief Society and Primary president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Primary music leader, ward Relief Society compassionate service coordinator, and missionary in the Philippines Baguio Mission. Born in Provo, Utah, to Richard Penrod Glazier and Rowena June Sherwood Glazier.

Perú Iquitos Mission

José Alfonso Li De La Cruz, 62, and Maritza Consuelo Bustamante de Li, three children, Pescadores Ward, Lima Perú La Libertad Stake: Perú Iquitos Mission, succeeding President Alejandro Gómez and Sister Z. Graciela Gómez. Brother Li serves as a high councilor and is a former stake president, bishop, assistant secretary to the Seventy, stake Sunday School president, and elders quorum president. Materials management assistant, Corporation of the Presiding Bishop. Born in Chepen, Perú, to José Marino Li Rodas and Olga De La Cruz Montoya.

Sister Li is a former stake Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Primary presidency counselor, temple preparation teacher, and seminary teacher. Born in Guadalupe, Perú, to Segundo Bustamante Llerena and Rosa Marin Huagal.

Kenya Nairobi Mission

Sibongiseni Ephraim Msane, 53, and Nomthandazo Salvatoris Mpanza Msane, two children, Fourways Ward, Johannesburg South Africa Stake: Kenya Nairobi Mission, succeeding President Gary C. Hicken and Sister Kathryn Hicken. Brother Msane serves as a mission presidency counselor and national assistant director of public affairs. He is a former stake presidency counselor, district presidency counselor, high councilor, and high priests group leader. Previously worked for NAMPAK Limited. Born in Durban, South Africa, to Vikilahle Samuel Msane and Thembeni Bertina Mchunu.

Sister Msane serves as a stake Relief Society president and is a former stake Young Women president, stake Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Relief Society and Primary presidency counselor, and seminary teacher. Born in Durban, South Africa, to Mathias Mzwakhe Mpanza and Maria Ntombazane Dube.

Washington Federal Way Mission

Sterling Ashby Rasmussen, 66, and Cheryl Lee Freeman Rasmussen, four children, Meadows Ward, Murray Utah South Stake: Washington Federal Way Mission, succeeding President Robert I. Eaton and Sister Dianne H. Eaton. Brother Rasmussen is a former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, stake Young Men president, and missionary in the Southern Australia Mission. Owner, I-D Electric Co. Born in Denver, Colorado, to Julian Woodhouse Rasmussen and Nina Ashby.

Sister Rasmussen serves as a nursery leader and is a former stake Young Women presidency counselor; ward Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary presidency counselor; ward missionary; and stake Young Women camp director. Born in Logan, Utah, to Grant LaMarr Freeman and MarJean Prescott Freeman.

México Mérida Mission

Abel Ruiz Valadez, 56, and Rocio Angel Baez de Ruiz, three children, Valle Dorado Ward, México City Valle Dorado Stake: México Mérida Mission, succeeding President Sergio A. García and Sister Felicia García. Brother Ruiz is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, stake executive secretary, MTC branch president, and missionary in the México Monterrey Mission. Area purchasing manager, Corporation of the Presiding Bishop. Born in México City, México, to Abel Ruiz Contreras and Esperanza Valadez Petriccioli de Ruiz.

Sister Ruiz serves as a Sunday School teacher and is a former stake Primary president, ward Young Women president, and Relief Society teacher. Born in México City, México, to Luis Angel Mayo and Josefina Baez Banda de Angel.

Brazil Ribeirão Preto Mission

Peter Siegfried Scholz, 56, and Laura Kathryn Gardineer Scholz, four children, Brambleton Ward, Ashburn Virginia Stake: Brazil Ribeirão Preto Mission, succeeding President Mauro T. Brum and Sister Rossana D. Brum. Brother Scholz is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, high priests group leader, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Brazil São Paulo South Mission. Managing partner, Woodvale Realty Partners, LLC. Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Joachim Edward Scholz and Lois June Groves Scholz.

Sister Scholz serves as a seminary teacher and is a former ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society and Primary presidency counselor, and Primary music leader. Born in Washington, D.C., to George Frederick Gardineer and Eula Mae Dotson Gardineer.

Angola Luanda Mission

Denelson Urbano da Silva, 50, and Regina Maria de Carvalho Silva, two children, Vila Sônia Ward, São Paulo Brazil Stake: Angola Luanda Mission, succeeding President Danny L. Merrill and Sister Pennie Merrill. Brother Silva is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, high priests group leader, ward Young Men adviser, and missionary in the Brazil Curitiba Mission. Manager, Sabre International LCC. Born in Recife, Brazil, to Domingos Silva and Maria Jose de Almeida Silva.

Sister Silva is a former ward Relief Society president, ward Primary president, Primary teacher, and missionary in the Brazil Rio De Janeiro Mission. Born in Recife, Brazil, to Gilberto Gomes de Carvalho and Luzinete Luziana de Carvalho.

California Rancho Cucamonga Mission

Curtis Glen Taylor, 62, and Mary Helen Stewart Taylor, seven children, Ivins 4th Ward, Ivins Utah Stake: California Rancho Cucamonga Mission, succeeding President Bruce E. Hobbs and Sister Julia D. Hobbs. Brother Taylor is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, stake Young Men presidency counselor and ward Young Men president. Retired attorney. Born in Preston, Idaho, to Donald Lamoni Taylor and Lorraine Frances Povey Taylor.

Sister Taylor is a former stake and ward Relief Society president, stake and ward Primary presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, Primary teacher, and Primary pianist. Born in Brigham City, Utah, to John J Stewart and Alice Ezma Knudson Stewart.

Arizona Mesa Mission

Lonny Eugene Townsend, 59, and Lori Turner Townsend, five children, Mount Erie Ward, Mount Vernon Washington Stake: Arizona Mesa Mission, succeeding President Kirk L. Jenkins and Sister Judith A. Jenkins. Brother Townsend is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, bishopric counselor, MTC branch president, high councilor, and missionary in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission. Retired general counsel, Magellan Midstream Partners. Born in Yakima, Washington, to Eugene Townsend and Verla Jean Colson Townsend.

Sister Townsend served with her husband in an MTC branch and is a former ward Young Women presidency counselor and seminary teacher. Born in Medford, Oregon, to William Dale Turner Jr. and Vesta LaRene Davis Turner.

Japan Tokyo South Mission

J Paul Warnick, 56, and Miriam Lindsay Warnick, three children, Orem 1st Ward, Orem Utah Stake: Japan Tokyo South Mission, succeeding President Takashi Wada and Sister Naomi Wada. Brother Warnick is a former stake president, stake presidency counselor, high councilor, elders quorum president, Gospel Doctrine teacher, Scoutmaster, and missionary in the Japan Sapporo Mission. Associate professor, Brigham Young University. Born in Logan, Utah, to Boyd L Warnick and Helen Lois Viklund Warnick.

Sister Warnick is a former ward Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary president; Primary teacher; Young Women adviser; and missionary in the Taiwan Taichung Mission. Born in Murray, Utah, to Richard Powell Lindsay and Marian Bangerter Lindsay.

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