Dr. Ron C. Smith Elected President of the Southern Union
In its 18th Quinquennial Session on Sunday, September 18, 2011, the Southern Union Conference delegation elected Dr. Ron C. Smith president. Smith will be replacing President Gordon Retzer who has chosen to retire.
“Thank you for trusting us,” says Smith, “and by God’s grace we want to be loyal, faithful, and committed to your charge.”
Reflecting on Dr. Smith’s election Retzer says, "Ron Smith is a man of God who loves people and the Seventh-day Adventist church. He is a man of integrity and character and a gifted preacher. I have greatly enjoyed working closely with him and have no doubt that God will use him to lead the great Southern Union to new accomplishments through the power of the Holy Spirit."
The Session, chaired by North American Division President Dan Jackson, also elected Jim Davidson, president of the Carolina Conference, to serve as executive secretary, and re-elected Randy Robinson treasurer; Dennis Millburn, undertreasurer; and Carlos Salazar, Association treasurer.
In addition, all departmental directors and associates were returned to office with the exception of those who are planning to retire.
Communication Director – R. Steven Norman III
Education Director – Debra Fryson
Education Specialist – Gene Brewer
Secondary Director – Jim Ingersoll
Elementary Director – Diane Ruff
Early Childhood Director – Tamara Libonati
Planned Giving and Trust Services Director – Tom Carter
Evangelism and Church Growth Institute Director – Ralph Ringer
Hispanic Ministries Director – Jorge Mayer
Native American Ministries Director – Fred Rogers
Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director – Amireh Al-Haddad
Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Associate Director – Kevin James
Publishing Director – William Smith
Associate Publishing Director – Keith Reid
Women’s Ministries Director – Laura Smith
Chaplaincy Director – Les Rilea
