Bill Knott, editor and publisher
Editor and executive publisher 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 specialist in the General Conference Human Relations Department, have two sons in college, Evan and Brady. "These two journals highlight the great depth and breadth of Adventism around the world," Knott says. "It's an amazing privilege to serve an international fellowship of believers eagerly living toward the Second Coming of Jesus."Gerald Klingbeil, associate editor
Gerald is a native of 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 the University of Stellenbosch, 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 has a passion for research and Scripture and has published widely in academic and popular journals. His latest book focuses on the settlement period of Israel's history.
Gerald is married to Chantal, a gifted author, mother, and homemaker from South Africa, and has three daughters, Hannah, Sarah, and Jemima. Gerald and Chantal enjoy team-teaching. They co-authored the third quarter 2010 Adult Sabbath School study guide. Gerald focuses on biblical studies, archaeology, fundamental beliefs, Adventist heritage/history, and the Spirit of Prophecy.
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, 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.
Claude Richli, marketing director and associate publisher
Claude Richli joined the Adventist Review and Adventist World staff in August 2007. His life and career span three continents: Africa, Europe, and North America. Born to missionary parents on the Island of Mauritius, off the coast of Africa, Claude grew up in France and Switzerland. He studied in France, Germany, England and the United States. He earned a Master of Divinity and a M.B.A. from Andrews University in Michigan. He has served as a pastor in Canada and Switzerland, departmental leader, and conference secretary and president of the Quebec Conference in Canada. In his last position, Claude was associate secretary of the East-Central Africa Division. Earlier in his career, he spent seven years as a sales and marketing executive in the high level advertising and signage industry in Montreal, Canada, and as a consultant on corporate identity in Toronto. Claude is married to Beate, a free-lance graphic designer from Germany. They have two children: Lara and Alessia. Claude likes bicycling and learning new languages.Stephen Chavez, managing editor
chavezs@gc.adventist.org
Chavez joined the Adventist Review staff in 1994, after serving nearly 20 years in pastoral ministry in California and Nevada. Steve and his wife, Linda, have two grown children. Steve’s passion is practical Christianity, reflecting Christ’s character in both words and deeds. He serves seventh and eighth graders in Earliteen Sabbath School at Sligo Church in Takoma Park, Maryland, and also chairs the church board. A dedicated runner, Steve has completed more than four dozen marathons, and has competed in countless other races of shorter distances. In his spare time Steve enjoys reading, listening to music, and fixing things. Carlos Medley, online editor
cmedley@AdventistReview.org
In his current position, Carlos oversees the Adventist Review's Online edition, which is available on the Internet. He played a key role in moving the 160-year-old journal onto the Information Super Highway. Before arriving at the Adventist Review in 1986 when he joined the staff as news editor, 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, have two grown 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." Mark A. Kellner, news editor
kellnerm@gc.adventist.org
Mark A. Kellner became news editor in April, 2007. He came to the Adventist Review from a business publishing unit of the Gannett Company. Prior to joining Gannett, Mark served from February, 2003, to October, 2006, as assistant director for news and information of the General Conference. In 2010, Mark celebrates 38 years of writing for publication, beginning with a stamp collecting column for his hometown weekly newspaper. He’s worked on daily newspapers, weekly trade publications, was editor-in-chief of PC Portables magazine, and has been a longtime contributor to Christianity Today. He is the author of three books, including God on the Internet, which won wide recognition as a trailblazing work on the subject. He is married to Jean Kellner, and they reside in Fulton, Maryland.Sandra Blackmer, assistant editor
blackmers@gc.adventist.org
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 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."
Kimberly Luste Maran, assistant editor
marank@gc.adventist.org
Assistant editor for the Adventist Review, Kimberly joined the staff on July 6, 1999. She coordinates the “Cutting Edge” edition, letters, and Give & Take. She is also part of the three-member team who produces KidsView. Prior to this, Kimberly served for two years as managing editor for the Columbia Union Visitor. In addition to regular editing and planning duties, her responsibilities included designing items for publication in the Visitor and other union projects, and conducting writer workshops. Kimberly has bachelor’s degrees in both English and Journalism from Columbia Union College; she received her master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in 2004. Kimberly and her husband are raising three young daughters and both enjoy playing in recreational soccer leagues. In regard to her work at the Review, Kimberly is “so thankful to be doing what I love with such incredible colleagues. God has richly blessed me and my goal is to serve Him through the written word to the best of my abilities.” Wilona Karimabadi, editorial and marketing director, Kidsview
KarimabadiW@gc.adventist.org
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 sales executive, and together they are raising a daughter and son in Ellicott City, Maryland.Jean Boonstra, quality assurance and social media specialist
BoonstraJ@gc.adventist.org
Jean Boonstra joined the Adventist Review team in January, 2013. A native of Canada, she studied at the University of Victoria earning a B.A. in history and political science. While studying she met her husband and her Best Friend, and was baptized and married in 1993. The family settled in the U.S. in 2004 where Jean and her husband, Shawn, worked for It Is Written, where she continues to manage the online interactive Bible studies for children "My Place With Jesus." Jean loves history and children, and enjoyed writing two series of Adventist Girl books. The family now lives in Maryland where Shawn is an associate director of the North American Division Ministerial Association, and their two daughters are growing up far too quickly.Jean-Luc Lézeau, special project manager
Jean-Luc Lézeau joined the Adventist Review staff as special project manager in October 2010. A French national, he and his wife, Eileen, have three children and five grandchildren scattered between the United States, France, and Dubai.Jean-Luc holds a License es Lettre from the University of Grenoble, a M.A. in computer sciences, and a M.B.A. from Webster University (Geneva). The Lézeaus worked as Seventh-day Adventist missionaries for 11 years in Africa. He’s served from the local conference to the division level as school principal, business manager, treasurer, departmental director, and president in both Africa and Europe.
Prior to coming to the Review, Lean-Luc served for 10 years as an associate stewardship director at the General Conference. He loved teaching biblical stewardship principles around the world, and produced numerous resources for pastors, including articles, books, presentations, and a 50-episode stewardship television series in both English and French for Hope TV.
When Jean-Luc isn’t traveling, he loves working around the house. Another hobby that comes in handy during his many travels is reading
Merle Poirier, technology projects coordinator
poirierm@gc.adventist.org
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 daughters Ellen, and Lisa.
Rachel Child, project coordinator
Rachel joined the Adventist Review staff in 2004. She assists the editor/executive publisher with management direction, relationships with publishing partners, and financial administration, as well as coordinating the translation and distribution of the annual Week of Prayer readings throughout the world church.
Growing up in northern New York, Rachel attended Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, majoring in business administration. Shortly after marrying her college sweetheart, they moved to the Washington, D.C. area. She began working at the General Conference in 1977 in the treasury department, and has also worked in the youth, human resources, and chaplaincy ministries departments.
Rachel and her husband, George, have two adult sons, Ryan, and Brad.
Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste, editorial assistant
baptistem@gc.adventist.org
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, DC’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.Sharon Tennyson, assistant to the marketing director
Sharon Tennyson joined the Adventist Review and Adventist World staff in December 2011. Prior to that, she and her family were missionaries in Thailand for five years, teaching at Mission College in Singapore, now known as Asia-Pacific International University. Life on the campus was a wonderful opportunity for their family’s 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. A graduate of the University of Colorado with a BA in Fine Arts and a BS in Recreation, she later became a certified public accountant. God has used Sharon in many ways.She is married to Mack Tennyson, a special assistant to the treasurer as director for the Church’s SunPlus Accounting Software Project. They have five daughters ranging in age from 12 to 31. Their oldest has a MPH and works in Asheville, North Carolina, another also lives in Asheville and is a college student, works in Australia. The youngest two are students in Spencerville Adventist Academy in Maryland.
Judy Thomsen, correspondence editor
Judy joined the staff at the end of 2007 for specials projects and as correspondence editor. She also works with the many prayer requests that come every day. She is from Washington State and is a graduate of Walla Walla College. Judy has experience in a variety of positions--grade school teacher, church secretary, 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. "I feel blessed by my life as a pastor/church administrator's wife. There is nothing like working for the Lord and the feel of the Adventist family. I am especially fortunate to be able to communicate with so many readers of Adventist Review and Adventist World. Your letters let us know you are reading--and what you and what you don't!"Judy enjoys people, reading old books, playing the piano, walking and being with family. Her husband Hal is the assistant to the president of Adventist Risk Management. They keep the airlines busy with trips to Tennessee and California for frequent visits with their three grown daughters and favorite little children, Isabel and Nicholas, and baby Victoria.
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.