Staff

Bill Knott

Executive Editor

Executive editor of the Adventist Review and Adventist World since January, 2007. Before his appointment, Bill served as an associate editor for nine years. A pastor for 18 years in both small and large parishes, he ministered in New England, New York, Michigan, and Washington State. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University (Michigan) and a Ph.D. in American Religious History from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Bill is an elder and Sabbath School teacher in his Spencerville, Maryland congregation, and a frequent speaker at conventions, conferences, retreats and campmeetings worldwide. He and his wife, Debby, a senior systems specialist in the General Conference Human Resources Department, have two married sons—Evan, a pastor in Frederick, MD, and Brady, who recently graduated from Andrews University with a doctorate in physical therapy. “It takes a talented and creative team to capture the amazing depth and breadth of the Adventist movement,” Knott says of the team he works with at the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s world headquarters in Silver Spring, MD.“It’s both humbling and gratifying to see how God is using the magazines, websites, videos and podcasts of this ministry to strengthen His people and prepare them for the Second Coming of Jesus.”

Gerald Klingbeil

Associate Editor

Gerald was born and raised in Germany. He brings with him 15 years of teaching and ministry experience in South Africa, Peru, Argentina, and the Philippines. He holds a doctoral degree in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and has served as Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at different Adventist Universities in Peru, Argentina, and the Philippines. Before joining the Adventist Review staff, Gerald served as the dean of the Theological Seminary of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies in the Philippines. Gerald continues to be engaged with academics as Research Professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University.

Gerald has a passion for Scripture and has published widely in academic and popular journals, focusing on biblical interpretation, ritual, biblical archaeology, the Pentateuch, and biblical history. He has edited two volumes on the Genesis creation account, published by Andrews University Press and Pacific Press respectively, and edited 28 Ways to Spell Your Faith, a volume containing some of the best articles on fundamental beliefs published in Adventist World. He also served as an associate editor of the Andrews Bible Commentary, a one-volume commentary, and is writing the commentary on the book of Numbers in the new Seventh-day Adventist International Bible Commentary series.

Gerald is married to Chantal, an associate director of the Ellen G. White Estate, with whom he enjoys team-teaching seminars on biblical interpretation, Adventist history, the joys and pains of parenting, and others. Together they have three daughters in university, who keep them on their toes and flexible. In his work for Adventist Review Gerald focuses on biblical studies, archaeology, fundamental beliefs, biblical theology, mission, and devotionals.

Lael Caesar

Associate Editor

Whenever Lael Caesar summarizes his life he tells you three things: “my father is my hero; my family is my pride; and the service of God is my joy.”

Born in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in South America, Caesar has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in many areas including district pastor, in the East Caribbean Union, and as a college professor. He holds a Ph.D in Hebrew from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and has taught on many college and university campuses. He was voted teacher of the year once at Montemorelos University School of Theology in Mexico, and four times at Andrews University. His byline appears in scores of articles in many languages. His wonderful wife, Dr Lena Caesar, former chair of the Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology at Andrews University, is now a professor of the same discipline at Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland. His son, Lloyd, and daughter, La Vonne, are both graduates of Andrews University.

Lael believes Jesus is coming back quickly and wants to share that splendored event with everybody.

Sandra Blackmer

assistant editor

Sandra joined the Adventist Review staff in May 2004 as news editor. In May 2007 she assumed assistant editor responsibilities that include coordinating one monthly edition of Adventist Review, overseeing various segments of both Adventist Review and Adventist World such as Lifestyle and Ask the Doctors, and working with the many prayer requests sent daily to the office. Prior to the Review, Sandra worked as a copy editor for Pacific Press Publishing Association, communication director for the Michigan Conference, and editorial assistant for the Adult Sabbath School Quarterly (now known as the Adult Bible Study Guide). "Helping to inform and encourage church members worldwide through the printed word is both an exciting and a humbling task," Sandra says. "I feel privileged to serve the Lord and the church as part of the Adventist Review and Adventist World team." Sandra’s husband, Larry, is a former vice president of the North American Division. The couple has one grown daughter. Seminar topics Sandra presents include "How to Write News Stories," "Proofreading and Copy Editing," and "How to Get Your Story Into Print."

Wilona Karimabadi

assistant editor and Kidsview marketing director

In January 2007, Wilona joined the Adventist Review and Adventist World staff full time as marketing and editorial director for KidsView, the Review's magazine for children. In this capacity, she works closely with Adventist schools throughout North America on a school subscription initiative that is steadily growing. In addition, she is also working to establish KidsView as a stand-alone publication available to anyone around the world. Wilona also works with online editor Carlos Medley on the Adventist Review Web site. She holds a B.A. in communication from La Sierra University in California, and a master's degree in writing from Johns Hopkins University. Before coming to the Review, she served as an assistant director of the Columbia Union Conference Communication Department. She is married to Hoosh, a marketing and business intelligence executive, and together they are raising a daughter and son in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Merle Poirier

operations manager

Merle was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area. She has worked in various capacities at the General Conference. Beginning in the Health Ministries Department 16 years ago as a secretary, Merle taught herself graphic design, enabling her to transition into other office duties involving PowerPoint presentations, graphic design, and desktop publishing. She spent several years as editorial assistant and graphic designer for the Publishing Department before accepting a position with the Adventist Review.

Merle is one of a team of three who developed
KidsView, the Adventist Review for children. She is the main designer of this publication. KidsView has won two prestigious awards for content and design since its beginning in 2002.

As operations manager, she is primarily responsible for assuring that the publications get to readers on time. This involves not only our English language publications but also communication with a large number of translators for the Adventist World magazine. Because of her long tenure with the office, 20 years in November 2021, Merle is also the go-to person for finding answers to a number of questions.

Merle is married to Tim Poirier, vice-director of the Ellen G. White Estate, and will soon celebrate 40 years of marriage. They have two beautiful grown daughters, two amazing son-in-laws, and two precocious grandsons.

Kimberly Brown

administrative and financial manager

Kim joined theAdventist Review Ministries staff in June 2015. She assists the editor/executive publisher with management direction, relationships with publishing partners, and financial administration.

Growing up on the eastern shore of Maryland, she received a B.S. in Organizational Management from Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University), followed by an M.A. in Human Sciences from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. Before joining the ARMies staff she worked for the General Conference from 2010 to 2013 at the Ellen G. White Estate, and has also been a boarding academy vice principal, registrar, and girls’ dean.

Kim currently resides in Hagerstown, Maryland, and has two adult children. She enjoys spending as much of her free time as possible with her four active grandchildren, Crew, Aven, Reeve, and Adah. She feels especially blessed to be included as a member of the Adventist Review Ministries team.

Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste

editorial assistant

Marvene joined the Adventist Review team in September 2007. After obtaining a degree in elementary education from the University of the Southern Caribbean (formerly Caribbean Union College), she spent several years teaching in Adventist schools in Trinidad and Tobago. She then attended Howard University, pursuing an additional coursework in speech pathology. Having had the experience of working in Washington, D.C.’s Deed and Title arena prior to joining the Review, Marvene employs her unique abstracting and editing skills in the Adventist Review and Adventist World publications in manuscript tracking and obituaries. She is also responsible for ensuring the clean-copy production of written works by various authors and associate editors, as well as processing author honoraria. A member of Burnt Mills Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, she has been a notable soprano in the choir, often lending her voice for leads and solos. Marvene and husband, Valentine, live in Takoma Park, Maryland, and have four children and 3 grandchildren.

Sharon Tennyson

distribution coordinator

Sharon Tennyson joined the Adventist Review ministries team in December, 2011. At that time she and her family had just returned from mission work at Mission College (now Asia-Pacific International University) in Muak Lek, Thailand, where she taught accounting courses.

Life on the campus was a wonderful opportunity for their two youngest daughters, who are from China, to experience living in Asia. Working overseas for the church was a meaningful opportunity for Sharon, who was not raised Adventist, but was baptized into the church as an adult.

As a CPA, God has used Sharon in many ways. Sharon is married to Dr. Mack Tennyson, Associate Treasurer for TED (Trans-European Division), and continues to work for Adventist Review ministries remotely from St. Albans, UK. Four of five of their daughters live in the Carolinas, and the fifth is studying at Andrews University.

Judy Thomsen, correspondence editor

Judy joined the staff at the end of 2007 for special projects and as correspondence editor. She is from Washington State and is a graduate of Walla Walla University. Judy had experience in a variety of positions including document secretary in the Trust Department (Northern California Conference), associate communication director (Southern New England Conference), and communication director for Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries in the NAD. Though retired now she continues to work for the
Adventist Review and Adventist World as correspondence editor. "I feel blessed to continue to communicate with so many readers. Your letters let us know you are reading--and what you like and what you don't! And your prayer requests give us the opportunity to pray for you in our staff worships. I feel like I have friends all over the world.”

Judy enjoys people, reading old books, playing the piano, walking, riding her bike, and being with family. Her husband Hal is also retired, and they enjoy spending time with their three grown daughters and favorite grandkids Isabel, Nicolas, Victoria and Savannah.

Bryan Gray

art director

Following his graduation from Art Center College of Design in 1986, Bryan served four years as designer for the
Adventist Review. He also gained experience as art director at Coffey Communications and design professor at Montemorelos University in Mexico before launching his own design business. In 2010 he rejoined the Adventist Review staff as art director.

He has served as art director for many Adventist publications including
Signs of the Times, El Centinela, Women of Spirit, and Liberty. He has also designed books, websites, and logos for dozens of Adventist entities including the official Seventh-day Adventist logo. He currently serves as creative director for Review & Herald Publishing Association.

Bryan and his wife Kathryn met as "missionary kids" at Far Eastern Academy in Singapore. They make their home in Boise, Idaho and enjoy travel and SCUBA diving with their two teenage sons, Nathan and Bryson.

Daryl Gungadoo

media system innovation engineer

Daryl was born on the island of Mauritius (Indian Ocean), and grew up as a “missionary kid” in East and West Africa. He studied audio engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His degree in electronic engineering and software engineering is from Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Michigan). Gungadoo comes to the Adventist Review Ministries team from Adventist World Radio (Guam, Italy, England) where he worked in engineering research and development for the past 22 years. He is passionate about inventing technology to facilitate the propagation of the Good News. Part of his experience with MIT Media Labs included working with the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project with MIT Media Labs. He has been a pioneer in podcasting, 360 VR, and Radio 2.0. Daryl and his wife, Johannie, have two children: Noah and Anoushka. He enjoys photography, UAV videography, scuba diving, hiking, cultural anthropology, paragliding and ham radio.