Six new temple presidents and their wives have been called by the First Presidency. They will begin their service later this year.
Alan Conway Ashton, 71, Sharon 5th Ward, Orem Utah Sharon Stake, called as president of the Provo Utah Temple, succeeding President Robert H. Daines. President Ashton's wife, Karen Jackman Ashton, will serve as temple matron. He serves as a Gospel Doctrine teacher. He has served as president of the Canada Toronto Mission, stake president and bishop. A retired entrepreneur and president and founder of the WordPerfect Corporation, he was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Conway Alan and Emma Rae McKay Ashton.
Sister Ashton serves as a General Young Women Board member. She served with her husband as he presided over the Canada Toronto Mission. She has also served as a General Primary Board member, ward Relief Society president and ward Young Women president. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Carl E and Edna C Jackman.
Russell Bennett Barber, 72, Farragut Ward, Knoxville Tennessee Stake, called as president of the Nashville Tennessee Temple, succeeding President R. Lloyd Smith. President Barber's wife, Sharlene Thorpe Barber, will serve as temple matron. He serves as a sealer in the Nashville Tennessee Temple and as a stake patriarch. He has served as a stake president, bishop, stake Young Men president and as a temple ordinance worker. A retired project manager, he was born in Ogden, Utah, to Horace Russell and Cleo Bennett Barber.
Sister Barber serves as a temple ordinance worker, Primary teacher, and patriarch's scribe. She has served as a multi-stake Public Affairs director, stake and ward Relief Society president and ward Young Women president. She was born in Provo, Utah, to Verne White and Bessie Brown Thorpe.
Gilberto de Jesús Cerda, 68, Fullerton 6th (Spanish) Ward, Santa Ana California South (Spanish) Stake, called as president of the Guadalajara Mexico Temple, succeeding President Jaime F. Herrera. President Cerda's wife, Bertha Elena Rubalcava, will serve as temple matron. He serves as an area family history adviser. He has served as president of the Guatemala Guatemala City South Mission, stake president, bishop, high councilor and branch president. A retired area coordinator of the Church Education System, he was born in Tehuacán, Puebla, Mexico, to Manuel Cerda Melgar and Maria de Lourdes Vital de Cerda.
Sister Cerda serves as an area family history adviser. She served with her husband as he presided over the Guatemala Guatemala City South Mission. She has served as a stake and ward Relief Society president, in a stake Young Women presidency and as a temple ordinance worker. She was born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico, to Salvador Rubalcava Rodriguez and Rosario Rubalcava.
James Joseph Chrisman, 65, Sidney Ward, Dayton Ohio East Stake, called as president of the Columbus Ohio Temple, succeeding President Edward J. Brandt. President Chrisman's wife, Ruth Ann Bumgarner Chrisman, will serve as temple matron. He serves as second counselor in the Columbus Ohio Temple. He has served as stake president, bishop, high councilor and as welfare regional chairman. A self-employed attorney, he was born in Sidney, Ohio, to James Waldo and Martha Ann Anderson Chrisman.
Sister Chrisman serves as an assistant to the matron of the Columbus Ohio Temple. She has served in a stake Relief Society presidency, and as ward Relief Society president and ward Young Women president. She was born in Parkersburg, W.Va., to Robert Taylor and Murl Ruth Lathey Bumgarner.
George Edgar Johnson, 71, Sunnyside 1st Ward, Yakima Washington Stake, called as president of the Columbia River Washington Temple, succeeding President T. Dean Moody. President Johnson's wife, Evelyn Christensen Johnson, will serve as temple matron. He serves as the first counselor in the Columbia River Washington Temple presidency. He has served as president of the Philippines San Pablo Mission, stake president, bishop and high councilor. Owner and CEO of Johnson Foods, Inc., he was born in Everett, Wash., to Francis Edgar and Ann Jaubrich Johnson.
Sister Johnson serves as an assistant to the matron of the Columbia River Washington temple. She served with her husband as he presided over the Philippines San Pablo Mission. She has served as stake Young Women president, in a stake Primary presidency, as ward Relief Society president and ward Primary president. She was born in Richfield, Utah, to Alten and Alta Wintch Christensen.
David Peter Meredith, 62, Armadale Ward, Perth Australia Southern River Stake, called as president of the Perth Australia Temple, succeeding President Geoffrey J. Liddicoat. President Meredith's wife, Valerie Irene Kent Meredith, will serve as temple matron. He serves as a multi-stake Public Affairs director. He has served as a stake president, bishop and mission president's counselor. A freelance journalist, he was born in Kendall, Cumbria, United Kingdom, to Ian Miles and Mona Mary Meredith.
Sister Meredith serves as a stake disability specialist. She has served as a counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency, and as stake Young Women president, ward Relief Society president and ward Young Women president. She was born in London, England, United Kingdom, to Samuel Robert Charles Kent and Irene Joyce Watson.
