W. Boyd Christensen, former president of Allstate Insurance Companies and immediate past director of Church hosting, has been called as chairman of visitor activities for the Church.
In his new position, Brother Christensen will promote tourism through coordination of activities associated with Church sites and organizations of interest to visitors. His assignment includes sites around the nation, but he primarily will be involved with sites and events in the greater Salt Lake Area.The visitor activities office will provide a central place for individuals or groups to contact for information regarding sites and activities. Brother Christensen will coordinate with local and national convention and tourism agencies, chambers of commerce, tour operators, universities and colleges, government offices and community and church groups.
Among the sites and organizations included in the coordinating effort are Salt Lake City's Temple Square, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building with its Legacy Theater and FamilySearch Center, the Beehive House, Lion House, Family History Library, Museum of Church History and Art, Welfare Square, Promised Valley Playhouse, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Mormon Youth Symphony and Chorus.
Brother Christensen is a retired general manager of the Intermountain Power Agency. The Logan, Utah, native has also served as assistant U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He is a graduate of Utah State University and holds a master of business administration degree from Stanford University in California.
A member of the Monument Park 17th Ward, Salt Lake Monument Park North Stake, he has served in the Church as a Sunday School teacher, high councilor and mission president, and is currently serving his second term as bishop.
