24 New Mission Presidents Called to Serve Beginning July 2014

• 1 May 2014

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

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

John Edwin Bennion, 64, and Sondra Shumway Bennion, eight children, Parleys 6th Ward, Salt Lake Parleys Stake, succeeding President Mark A. Wolfert and Sister Carol A. Wolfert. Brother Bennion is a former bishop, high councilor, ward Young Men president, seminary teacher, and missionary in the French East Mission. Program director, LDS Business College. Born in Oakland, Calif., to Donald Clark Bennion and Margaret Marie Jacobsen Bennion.

Sister Bennion is a former counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, ward Young Women adviser, ward and stake music/choir director, and Primary music leader. Born in Baltimore, Md., to Hyrum Smith Shumway and Sarah Bagley Shumway.

Philippines Quezon City North Mission

Kim Conrad Bertin, 62, and Jennifer Hebertson Bertin, five children, Foxhill Ward, North Salt Lake Utah Stake,  succeeding President Dennis R. Sperry and Sister Teresa H. Sperry. Brother Bertin served as a missionary with his wife in the Asia Area as a medical adviser and is a former high councilor, counselor in a bishopric, high priests group leader, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Germany West Mission. Orthopedic surgeon, private practice. Born in Blackfoot, Idaho, to James Conrad Bertin and Dorothy Louise Bertin.

Sister Bertin is a former counselor in a stake Primary presidency, ward Primary president, counselor in ward Relief Society and Young Women presidencies and a Church-service missionary. Born in Provo, Utah, to Richard M Hebertson and Barbara Hebertson.

Washington Tacoma Mission

John Dale Blatter, 66, and Diane Robertson Blatter, six children, Alamo 1st Ward, Danville California Stake, succeeding President Douglas W. Weaver and Sister Lynette Weaver. Brother Blatter is a former Area Seventy executive secretary, counselor in a stake presidency, bishop, high councilor, ward Young Men president, temple ordinance worker, and missionary in the England London South Mission. Private wealth management, Goldman Sachs & Co. Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Henry Reed Blatter and Valeria Pearson Blatter Brown.

Sister Blatter is a former counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency, ward Relief Society president, counselor in a ward Young Women presidency, and temple ordinance worker. Born in Palo Alto, Calif., to James Allen Robertson and LaVerne Johnson Robertson.

Guatemala Guatemala City South Mission

E.J. Caffaro, 54, and Shari Lynn Quale Caffaro, four children, Lehi 17th Ward, Lehi Utah East Stake, succeeding President Larry Stay and Sister Joyce Stay. Brother Caffaro serves as a gospel doctrine teacher and is a former bishop, high councilor, stake executive secretary, counselor in a stake Young Men presidency, and missionary in the Colombia Cali Mission. Associate director, admissions, Brigham Young University. Born in Bronx, N.Y., to John Joseph Caffaro and Rita Anne Zito Caffaro Magdalany.

Sister Caffaro is a former ward Young Women and Primary president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, ward single adult adviser, and gospel doctrine teacher. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to William Andreas Quale and Veronica Estel Quale.

Mexico Veracruz Mission

Daniel Córdova Esparza, 46, and Teresa Romero de Córdova, two children, Playas Ward, Tijuana Mexico Stake, succeeding President Carlos W. Treviño Almaguer and Sister Esther Torres de Treviño. Brother Córdova serves as a counselor in a stake presidency and is a former stake president, bishop, and missionary in the Mexico Mexico City North Mission. Institute director, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion. Born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to Pedro Córdova Ortiz and Maria Luisa Esparza Avalos.

Sister Córdova serves as a counselor in a ward Primary presidency and is a former counselor in a stake Young Women presidency, counselor in ward Relief Society and Young Women presidencies, and missionary in the Mexico Chihuahua Mission. Born in Tierra Blanca, Veracruz, Mexico, to Mauro Romero Natividad and Lucia Cruz Hernandez.

Texas Houston East Mission

Dennis Bruce Drake, 64, and Dawna Lee Beatty Drake, four children, Santa Clara Utah Heights 4th Ward, Santa Clara Utah Heights Stake, succeeding President Thomas J. Crawford and Sister Carolyn N. Crawford. Brother Drake is a former bishop, high councilor, stake Young Men president, ward Young Men president, and missionary in the Australian West Mission. Washington County commissioner, Washington County, Utah. Born in St. George, Utah, to Howard Drake and Betty J. Lytle Drake.

Sister Drake is a former ward Relief Society president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, counselor in a ward Primary presidency, and ward Young Women adviser. Born in Heber City, Utah, to DeVar L Beatty and Dixie M. Dayton Beatty.

California Ventura Mission

Dell Clair Felix, 63, and Maurine Pond Felix, five children, Cottonwood Heights 2nd Ward, Salt Lake Cottonwood Heights Stake, succeeding President Fernando R. Castro and Sister Nora Castro. Brother Felix serves as a high priests group instructor and is a former bishop, YSA bishop, high councilor, stake Young Men president, Church-service missionary, and missionary in the Argentina North Mission. Physical therapist, owner, Dell C. Felix, PT & Associates. Born in Logan, Utah, to Clarence Ernest Felix and Marian Phyllis Brimhall Felix.

Sister Felix serves as a temple ordinance worker and is a former stake Young Women president, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, and Church-service missionary. Born in Salt Lake City to Richard Smith Pond and Maurine White Pond.

Adriatic North Mission

David James Grant, 59, and Judith Wilson Grant, nine children, Cedar City 16th Ward, Cedar City Utah Cross Hollow Stake, succeeding President Edward B. Rowe and Sister Brooke F. Rowe. Brother Grant is a former stake president, bishop, institute teacher, and missionary in the Italy Milan Mission. Chairman, MSC Aerospace. Born in Salt Lake City to David Morris Grant and Reva Luella Carlow Grant.

Sister Grant is a former stake and ward Young Women president, stake Young Women secretary, and counselor in ward Relief Society and Primary presidencies. Born in Driggs, Idaho, to John Mark Wilson and Janice Waddell Wilson.

Bolivia Cochabamba Mission

Mark Wayne Hansen, 58, and Kathy Layne Willardson Hansen, six children, Hillsdale Ward, El Cajon California Stake,  succeeding President Dan L. Dyer and Sister Christy B. Dyer. Brother Hansen is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, stake Young Men president, seminary teacher, and missionary in the Argentina Rosario Mission. Owner, Law Office of Mark W. Hansen. Born in Riverside, Calif., to Donald Leon Hansen and Carol Carter Hansen.

Sister Hansen is a former seminary teacher, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, and gospel doctrine teacher. Born in Provo, Utah, to Ray Vincent Willardson and Gloria Elaine Johnson Willardson.

California Sacramento Mission

Bruce Dean Jardine, 57, and Diane Woodward Jardine, three children, South Ogden 8th Ward, South Ogden Utah Stake, succeeding President H. Benson Lewis and Sister Julie Ann Lewis. Brother Jardine is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, counselor in a bishopric, assistant to a high priests group leader, and missionary in the California Fresno Mission. Owner/president, Lynn Woodward Electric. Born in Ogden, Utah, to Dick H. Jardine and Norene Jardine.

Sister Jardine is a former stake Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, and counselor in a ward Primary presidency. Born in Soap Lake, Wash., to Lynn Charles Woodward and Lois Nadine Woodward.

Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission

Bradley Kent Johnson, 57, and Rosemarie Miller Johnson, eight children, Providence 5th Ward, Providence Utah South Stake, succeeding President Clinton D Topham and Sister Jeanne Topham. Brother Johnson is a former bishop, stake executive secretary, high councilor, stake mission president, temple ordinance worker, and missionary in the Switzerland Geneva Mission. Retired CAO/CFO, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI). Born in Logan, Utah, to Vere Hodges Johnson and Winifred Amacher Johnson.

Sister Johnson is a former stake Relief Society president, counselor in a stake Young Women presidency, ward Relief Society president, and ward Young Women president. Born in Logan, Utah, to Ivan Valaire Miller and Ruth Maurine Nelson Miller.

California San Jose Mission

Glen David Mella, 56, and Elizabeth Marguerite Shill Mella, eight children, Orem Utah Canyon View 10th Ward, Orem Utah Canyon View Stake, succeeding President W. Lincoln Watkins and Sister Rebeckah Watkins. Brother Mella is a former counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, stake Young Men president, bishop, elders quorum president, and missionary in the California San Diego Mission. CEO, Cypher. Born in Chelsea, Mass., to Gordon Weed Mella and Dorothee May Lusson Mella.

Sister Mella is a former counselor in stake and ward Young Women presidencies, ward Primary president, seminary teacher, and missionary in the Japan Okayama Mission. Born in San Antonio, Texas, to Talmage Webb Shill and Nancy Lynne Dyer Shill.

South Africa Cape Town Mission

Steven Jay Merrill, 59, and Brenda Joyce Larson Merrill, four children, Sun City West Ward, Surprise Arizona North Stake,  succeeding President Mark I. Wood and Sister Kathleen D. Wood. Brother Merrill serves as a Church-service missionary and is a former counselor in an elders quorum presidency, ward Young Men adviser, institute teacher, and missionary in the Canada Toronto Mission. Air Force JROTC instructor, Peoria Unified School District, and retired LDS chaplain, United States Air Force. Born in Phoenix, Ariz., to Justin Clayton Merrill and Bernice Jean Vander Weide Merrill.

Sister Merrill serves as a Church-service missionary and is a former ward Relief Society president, ward Primary president, Cub Scout leader, and ward Young Women adviser. Born in Safford, Ariz., to Bruce Alan Larson and Betty Jane Bryce Larson.

Republic of Congo Brazzaville Mission

Elie Kyungu Monga, 47, and Vianney Mwenze Monga, four children, Upemba Ward, Katuba Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake. Brother Monga serves as a counselor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Lubumbashi Mission presidency and is a former counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, elders quorum president, ward Sunday School president, and missionary in the Ivory Coast Mission. Coordinator, Seminaries and Institutes. Born in Lwamba, Katanga, DR Congo, to Mudyavita Banze and Banza Kalumba Wa Mulanda Banze.

Sister Monga is a former ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, ward Relief Society teacher, and seminary teacher. Born in Lubumbashi, Shaba Zaire, DR Congo, to Felix Kyela Monga and Alphonsine Mutombo Ilunga Monga.

California Riverside Mission

John Harold Mullen III, 63, and Jana Rae Low Mullen, five children, Lafayette Ward, Oakland California Stake, succeeding President Paul F. Smart and Sister Karen L. Smart. Brother Mullen is a former counselor in a stake presidency, bishop, stake mission president, elders quorum president, Scoutmaster, ward mission leader, and missionary in the Chilean Mission. Retired CPA, managing director, WTAS LLC. Born in Shields Township, Ill., to John Harold Mullen Jr. and Charlotte Beth Romney.

Sister Mullen serves as a temple ordinance worker and is a former stake Primary president, ward Relief Society, Young Women, Primary president, and Church-service missionary. Born in Las Vegas, Nev., to Wendell Blair Low and Janet Harris Low.

Philippines Manila Mission

Creg Donald Ostler, 56, and Sondra Davies Ostler, seven children, Northridge Ward, Mesa Arizona Hermosa Vista Stake, succeeding President Lyle J. Stucki and Sister Bonnie Stucki. Brother Ostler is a former stake president, counselor in a mission presidency, stake mission president, stake executive secretary, bishop, and missionary in the Austria Vienna Mission. Managing director, Stoker Ostler Wealth Advisors. Born in Los Angeles, Calif., to C Donald Ostler and Vivian Marie Stupeck Ostler.

Sister Ostler is a former counselor in a stake Primary presidency, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, and ward missionary. Born in Salt Lake City to Leon Alfred Davies and Marilyn Kay Ward Davies.

Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission

William James Riggins, 57, and Bonnie Lynn McKee Riggins, four children, Crest Haven Ward, Rexburg Idaho East Stake, succeeding President Lizardo H. Amaya and Sister Elsa M. Granados de Amaya. Brother Riggins serves as a ward missionary and stake institute instructor and is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, stake Young Men president, and missionary in the Chile Santiago Mission. Professor, BYU–Idaho. Born in San Diego, Calif., to William Riggins and Esther Riggins.

Sister Riggins serves as a counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency and is a former counselor in stake Young Women and Primary presidencies, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, and missionary in the Mexico Torreon Mission. Born in Henderson, Nev., to Kenneth McKee and Claire McKee.

Japan Sendai Mission

Jeffrey Randall Smith, 59, and Karen Teresa Bone Smith, six children, Rock Canyon Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont South Stake, succeeding President Gary D. Rasmussen and Sister Pamela L. Rasmussen. Brother Smith is a former counselor in a stake presidency, bishop, MTC branch president, high councilor, and missionary in the Japan Fukuoka/Japan West Mission. Orthopedic surgeon, Intermountain Healthcare. Born in Provo, Utah, to Wilford Emery Smith and Ruth Christensen Smith.

Sister Smith is a former stake Relief Society president, counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, temple ordinance worker, and Cub Scout leader. Born in Columbia, S.C., to Joseph H. (Bill) Bone and Marjorie Cutchen.

Mexico Puebla South Mission

John Michael Stellmon, 57, and Donna Lee Papworth Stellmon, five children, Eagle 3rd Ward, Eagle Idaho Stake:, succeeding President Robert C. Reeves and Sister Janet D. Reeves. Brother Stellmon is a former bishop, high councilor, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president ,and missionary in the Bolivia La Paz and Santa Cruz missions. President, The Charter School Fund. Born in Lewiston, Idaho, to William Andrew Stellmon and Marlene May Haag Stellmon.

Sister Stellmon is a former stake Primary president, stake Primary secretary, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, and counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency. Born in Challis, Idaho, to Lorin Ellis Papworth and Shirley Mae Ellis Papworth.

Germany Frankfurt Mission

Ronald Aaron Stoddard, 64, and Barbara Turner Stoddard, five children, Sunset Heights 2nd Ward, Orem Utah Sunset Heights Stake, succeeding President Lehi K. Schwartz and Sister Gudrun Schwartz. Brother Stoddard serves as an Area Seventy executive secretary and is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, elders quorum president, and missionary in the Central German Mission. Neonatologist and medical director, newborn intensive care unit, Intermountain Healthcare. Born in Provo, Utah, to Aaron Ray Stoddard and Lorayn Walker Stoddard.

Sister Stoddard is a former ward Relief Society president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, counselor in a ward Primary presidency, and Cub Scout leader. Born in Provo, Utah, to Lloyd Edward Turner and LaVon Forsey Turner.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Lubumbashi Mission

Forast Brent Thomas, 58, and Carolyn Rawsthorne Thomas, six children, Airdrie 1st Ward, Calgary Alberta North Stake, succeeding President Phillip W. McMullin and Sister Joy McMullin. Brother Thomas is a former stake president, bishop, high councilor, elders quorum president, and missionary in the France Paris Mission. Director of research and development, Weatherford Laboratories. Born in High River, Alberta, Canada, to Joseph Alston Thomas and Hilda Thomas.

Sister Thomas serves as a ward Relief Society instructor and is a former ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, seminary teacher, and missionary in the Italy Rome Mission. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to Clifford Rawsthorne and Thelma Sophia Rawsthorne.

South Carolina Columbia Mission

Judd Arthur Turner, 64, and Mary Anne Lewis Turner, three children, Monument Park 1st Ward, Salt Lake Monument Park North Stake, succeeding President Monte Holm and Sister Lisa K. Holm. Brother Turner is a former bishop, high councilor, stake Young Men president, and missionary in the Japan West Mission. Senior vice president, Moreton & Co. Born in Logan, Utah, to Byron Leon Turner and Beverly Merle Turner.

Sister Turner is a former stake Relief Society president, counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency, counselor in a stake Young Women presidency, ward Relief Society president, and ward Young Women president. Born in Provo, Utah, to Ben Elden Lewis and Barbara Rae Wootton Lewis.

Missouri Independence Mission

Randy Johnson Vest, 64, and Kristine Louise Varley Vest, five children, Colleyville Ward, Colleyville Texas Stake, succeeding President Donald J. Keyes and Sister Jackie Keyes. Brother Vest is a former counselor in a temple presidency, counselor in a mission presidency, stake president, bishop, branch president, and missionary in the Japan Okinawa Mission. Vice president and controller/CAO, Kimberly–Clark Corporation. Born in Spanish Fork, Utah, to Dean S. Vest and Emma Jean J. Vest.

Sister Vest is a former assistant to the temple matron, counselor in a ward Relief Society presidency, seminary teacher, institute teacher, and temple ordinance worker. Born in Albany, Calif., to Charles Raymond Varley and Marilyn Ream Varley Hunt.

Micronesia Guam Mission

John Stewart Zarbock, 59, and Kathy Kelly Zarbock, four children, Crescent View Ward, Sandy Utah Crescent Stake, succeeding President Stephen F. Mecham and Sister Angela W. Mecham. Brother Zarbock is a former counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, bishop, elders quorum president, institute teacher, and missionary in the Japan Nagoya Mission. General partner, Okane Exchange Inc. Born in Salt Lake City to Robert Ferdinand Zarbock and Deanne Stewart Zarbock.

Sister Zarbock serves as a Sunday School teacher and is a former counselor in ward Relief Society, Young Women and Primary presidencies, and missionary in the Uruguay Montevideo Mission. Born in Salt Lake City to Robert Elmer Kelly and Geraldine Hay Kelly.

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