Pastor Robert S. Smith has been elected president of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, an institution owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The decision was made at a September 6 meeting of the Review board.  Announcing the decision to employees of the publishing house, Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the Adventist Church worldwide, said Smith had been elected by the board “after praying together, after searching our hearts, and speaking very openly and candidly.”

For the past 14 years Smith has served as publishing director for the Adventist Church in North America.  In his more than 30 years experience in the publishing field, Smith has also served as vice president for marketing at the Review and Herald and associate director of publishing for the Adventist Church worldwide.

Dr. William Johnsson, editor of the ‘Adventist Review’ and a member of the Review board, says that the search committee presented six names for the board’s consideration. “There was a very good spirit throughout the deliberations,” says Johnsson.  “My sense was that the process was both fair and non-contentious.”

Smith replaces outgoing Review president Pastor Ted Wilson, who in July was elected as a general vice president of the Adventist Church’s General Conference.

Mark Thomas, Review and Herald vice president for marketing, has known Smith since 1973 and says that he has “an extensive background in publishing” and is a “warm, friendly leader.”

Established in 1849, the Review is the oldest institution of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.  Today, the Review employs more than 220 people and last year reported an annual revenue turnover of $26 million.  The Review produces a wide range of Christian books, magazines, and devotional and educational material. Some of its flagship magazine publications include the ‘Adventist Review’, ‘Listen’, ‘Guide’, ‘Insight’ and the lifestyle magazine, ‘Vibrant Life’. [Bettina Krause]