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Thomas Named President of Review and Herald

The Review and Herald Board of Trustees has confirmed Mark B. Thomas as president of the Seventh-day Adventist church’s flagship publishing house. Thomas had served as interim president since an April board meeting signaled dramatic changes in the organization.

Thomas steps into the shoes of Robert S. Smith, who retires on July 1 after 54 years in the church’s publishing work.

Financial pressures and rapid changes in the publishing landscape are two challenges that face the new president. “We need to restructure and streamline our ministry,” says Thomas. “We’re told that the publishing work will go through to the end. But that doesn’t mean it will always look the same. We need to be agile in responding to changes in how people get their information.“

The Review and Herald already distributes digital books for Amazon’s Kindle, and an iPad application by Logos Bible software allows readers to reference the SDA Bible Commentary. Thomas is directing his staff to move more aggressively into digital media.

Thomas previously served as vice-president of the Graphics Division. Prior to that he was vice-president of the Book Division and the Marketing Division.

Thomas got his start at the Review and Herald as a part-time “pressroom devil” while attending Columbia Union College. After college he worked as an assistant manager of the Portland Adventist Book Center for three years before returning to the Review as a marketing representative.

In existence even before the denomination had a formal name, the Review and Herald publishes books and magazines that aid church members in spiritual growth and outreach. Periodicals published by the house include Message, Vibrant Life, Insight and Guide magazine. It also prints and distributes both the Adventist World and the Adventist Review.