Pacific Press has appointed Larry Johnson as the new vice president of production. He replaces Chuck Bobst, who recently retired after having served in that role for the past 12 years.
Johnson is no stranger to publishing or to Pacific Press. He first joined the team in 1984, just in time to help with the publishing house's move from Mountain View, Calif., to Nampa, Idaho. He served in that role for eight years before relocating to Russia, where he helped set up and establish the publishing work.
Johnson’s experience includes serving as associate publishing director for the Far Eastern Division and also at the General Conference, headquartered in Silver Spring, Md. He has served as a consultant both in North America and internationally. He returned to Pacific Press briefly in the late 1990s before being called as president of Color Press, located in Walla Walla, Wash., where he served for nine years.
Though he officially retired in 2009, Johnson says he felt good about the call to once again work for the church. “Pacific Press serves a distinctive purpose,” he says. “That is why I came back.” Although the changes in the publishing industry have been remarkable in the 15 years since Johnson last worked in it, he says, “Printing is still a viable part of publishing. It will always be part of what we do — it is part of our worldwide culture as Seventh-day Adventists.”
Dale Galusha, Pacific Press president, says, “We are thrilled to have Larry Johnson on board. With his keen sense of mission and his vast experience, we look forward to the invaluable contribution he will make to the ministry of Pacific Press.”
Regarding the challenges currently facing the publishing work, Johnson says, “Books will continue to be an important vehicle for sharing the truth, for those in the church and especially for those who long to know the truth.”
Larry Johnson returns to Pacific Press as vice president of production.
