ADVENTIST REVIEW ONLINE - Staff Biographies

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WELCOME HISTORY STAFF WRITER'S GUIDE STAFF TRAVEL

Meet the Staff

William G. Johnsson, executive publisher/editor
Executive publisher of the Adventist Review and editor-in-chief since 1982. A native of Australia, Bill served 15 years in India with his wife, Noelene. Both their children--a son and a daughter--were born there. From India the Johnssons were called to Andrews University, where Bill was professor of New Testament and associate dean of the Seminary. Bill holds Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in Biblical Studies from Vanderbilt University, a B.D. from London University, and an M.A. from Andrews University. He has authored four books on Hebrews plus 12 others and some 600 articles. "The Adventist Review aims to be the leading edge of the Adventist Church," he says. "We want it to be spiritually arresting as it sets forth the message and mission of our amazing world fellowship."

Roy Adams, associate editor
Associate editor of the Adventist Review since October 1988. After obtaining degrees in theology from Canadian University College (Alberta) and Andrews University (Michigan), Roy spent some seven years in pastoral work in Montreal and Toronto, before returning to Andrews University for a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology. Following this, and accompanied by his wife Celia (a registered nurse) and their two children, he did a six-year stint as a seminary professor in the Philippines. Roy is the author of three books on Theology. He came to his present position after serving two years as an administrator in the Church's Canadian headquarters. He enjoys people, and particularly appreciates the privilege, through his travels, of touching base with Adventists and other Christians around the world. "The role of the Review," he says, "is to be both pastoral and prophetic. We seek to help Adventists understand what it means to be Christians in the modern world."

Bill Knott, associate editor
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Associate editor of the Adventist Review magazine. Before arriving at AR in 1997, Bill served for 18 years as a pastor in parishes ranging in size from 7 to 3500 members in New England, New York, Michigan and Washington State. He holds the M. Div. from Andrews University (Michigan) and did further graduate study at the same site. Bill is an elder in his Beltsville, Maryland congregation, and a frequent speaker at retreats, campmeetings, and special seminars across North America. He enjoys racquetball, tennis, reading and travel. He and his wife, Debby, a registered dietitian and businesswoman, have two sons, Evan and Brady. "The richness and diversity of Adventism surrounds us here at the Adventist Review," he says. "It's a privilege to serve a worldwide fellowship eagerly living toward the second coming of Jesus."

Stephen Chavez, managing editor
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Chavez likes to call himself "the least of the editors" because his educational training as a pastor had practically nothing to do with writing and editing for publication. After nearly 20 years in pastoral ministry, Steve was asked to join the Review staff in 1994. He has two children who attend college, and one wife, Linda (not that Linda Chavez). Steve is an experienced runner who races as often as his schedule (and his checkbook) allows. He also enjoys reading, music, and fixing things. "I still have a pastor's heart, and I'm grateful that God can use my talents to build up His church for the glorious destiny He has in mind."

Carlos Medley, news and online editor
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In his current position, Carlos edits the weekly news pages and oversees the Adventist Review's Online edition, which is available on the Internet and CompuServe. He played a key role in moving the 150-year-old journal onto the Information Super Highway. Before arriving at the Adventist Review in 1986, Carlos worked for six years as a night police reporter for the South Bend Tribune newspaper in South Bend, Indiana. He has a B.B.A. from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and an M.A. in religious communication from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Carlos and his wife, Denise, are raising two daughters. "I'm excited about the new opportunities to reach people through the Internet," Carlos says. "This will give the magazine a whole new audience."

Kimberly Luste Maran, assistant editor
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Assistant editor for the Adventist Review, Kimberly joined the staff on July 6, 1999. She coordinates the "Cutting Edge" edition, letters, and the Give & Take pages. Prior to this, Kimberly served for two years as managing editor for the Columbia Union Visitor, the union magazine serving the eight-state mid-Atlantic region known as the Columbia Union Conference. Her responsibilities included scheduling, long-range and short-term planning; editing, writing, and designing a variety of items for publication in the Visitor and other union projects.

Kimberly has bachelor's degrees in both English and Journalism from Columbia Union College. She and her husband enjoy walking their two dogs and playing in recreational soccer leagues.

Bonita Joyner Shields, assistant editor
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Bonita joined the editorial staff of the Adventist Review on February 1, 2002. Prior to joining the Review, she served for six and a half years as an associate pastor of the Spencerville Adventist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her undergraduate degree is in Theology from Columbia Union College, and she is pursuing her master’s degree through Andrews University’s Extension Program.

Bonita cherishes the opportunity to blend her two loves of pastoring and writing. "I see my role at the Review as an extension of my role at the local church," she says. Bonita enjoys reading, writing, racquetball, and spending time with her family and friends. Her husband Roy is president/owner of Takoma Sales & Service, Inc., a painting and window treatment business. They have three cats who think they're human!

Bill Tymeson, designer
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Bill joined the Review and Herald Publishing Association in 1996 as senior designer and works full time with the editorial staff to create the look and feel of the weekly Adventist Review.

Prior to joining the magazine Bill was director of graphic arts at Atlantic Union College. His 30+ years of professional experience includes serving as art director of MAPI, Inc., an international marketing company, and for 20 years he was president of BTG, Inc., his Massachusetts-based design consultancy. He has also taught graphic design and photography courses on the college level.

Bill lives in Falling Waters, West Virginia with his wife Andrea and son Jesse.

Merle Poirier , technology projects coordinator
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Merle was born and raised in 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. Merle's husband, Tim, works as vice director of the Ellen G. White Estate and they enjoy their two teenage daughters Ellen, and Lisa.

Jackie Ordelheide Smith
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Jackie has come back to the Adventist Review after being away for nearly 9 years. From 1985-1994 she worked on the Adventist Review editorial staff as editorial secretary and editorial assistant. From the Review she went to the Office of Global Mission at the General Conference and coordinated the Global Mission pioneer initiative for five years. Then she and her husband, Bobby, moved to New Mexico, where they volunteered for two years on the Navajo Indian Reservation at La Vida Mission, and spent two more years enjoying the land of the desert and the Rocky Mountains. She loves entertaining, cooking, and dreaming up ways to make tofu palatable. She enjoys hiking and camping with her husband, Bobby, who is a handyman, elementary school teacher, and truck driver.

Sandra Blackmer , news editor

Sandra has just recently joined the Adventist Review staff as an assistant editor and edits the weekly news pages. Prior to this she has 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). "I feel privileged to work with the news pages and be part of the Adventist Review team," said Sandra. "The articles provide glimpses of happenings throughout the North American Division and the world. They help readers feel part of a world church.".

Sandra's husband, Larry, is associate director of education for the North American Division. They have one daughter, who is a student at Pacific Union College.