Staff

Bill Knott, editor

Bill Knott has been the editor and executive publisher of the Adventist Review and Adventist World since 2007, previously serving as associate editor for nine years.  Prior to joining the editorial team in 1997, Bill worked for 18 years as a pastor in congregations ranging in size from 7 to 2000 members in New England, New York, Michigan, and Washington State.  He holds the M.Div. degree from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University (1983), and earned a Ph.D. in History from the George Washington University (2006).  Bill is a Sabbath School teacher and elder in his Spencerville, Maryland congregation, and a frequent speaker at retreats, camp meetings, preaching seminars and young adult gatherings.  He enjoys walking, reading, and travel.  He and his wife, Deborah, a Senior Technology and Systems Specialist in Human Resources at the church’s world headquarters, have two sons:  Evan, a pastor in the Chesapeake Conference now studying at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary; and Brady, now completing a doctor of physical therapy degree at Andrew University.

Gerald Klingbeil, associate editor

Gerald is a native of Germany. He brings with him many 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 will focus 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

Adams 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

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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

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MedleyIn 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 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 adult 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."

Sandra Blackmer, assistant editor

Sandra joined the Adventist Review staff a little more than a year ago 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 grown daughter.

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 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. 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

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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 masters 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.

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 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, Massachussetts, 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

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 (Northen 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/curch 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 Managment. 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.

Jeffrey L. Dever, art director

Jeff received his BFA degree from Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts in 1976. He is founding partner and creative director of Dever Designs, a graphic design studio, and its FreshArt illustration subsidiary in Laurel, Maryland. He served on the contract/adjunct faculty of the Maryland Institute College of Art for over twenty years, where he taught illustration and graphic design. He has also taught classes at Columbia Union College and Southern Adventist University.

Jeff’s wife, Kay Rosburg, is vice president and partner of Dever Designs. They have two college-age children, Kyle and Lindsay.