Jay Wintermeyer has been chosen to step into the role of North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) communication director following the impending retirement of longtime director Steve Vistaunet later this year. Wintermeyer was approved by an overwhelming majority of the NPUC executive committee in votes tallied July 15, 2019.
Wintermeyer will come to the NPUC from the Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) in Spokane, Wash., where he has been communication director since 2008. NPUC leadership has been pursuing a viable candidate for the position since late spring, when Vistaunet internally conveyed his plans to retire at the end of 2019. Heavily involved with preparations for the UCC constituency session in September, Wintermeyer hopes to transition to his new NPUC role in October.
“We are so happy that Jay has sensed the call of God to take this important step,” says John Freedman, NPUC president. “Steve’s efforts over the years have blessed us all greatly, but I know Jay will also bring unique gifts of tremendous support to our Northwest mission and of aid to each of our local conferences. I invite our members to keep Jay and his wife, Jennifer, in prayer as they prepare for this important transition.”
The NPUC communication role will encompass not only the avenues familiar to many members such as the print Gleaner, the online GleanerNow.com website and weekly enewsletter GleanerWeekly, but also a host of other areas, not only for the NPUC but in support for each local conference within the union.
With deep experience in a wide array of communication skills, Wintermeyer brings a rare combination of gifts to the new role. Following his graduation from Walla Walla University with a degree in mass communication and broadcast journalism, he managed the creation of a new Christian radio station in Wenatchee, Wash., building KPLW-FM into the No. 1 station in its demographic within four years.
Following that experience, Wintermeyer took on the role of communication director for Adventist Frontier Missions, based in Berrien Springs, Mich. There, from 2000 to 2007, he managed a team of creative professionals with internal and external communication for the organization including publishing, broadcast production, internet development, marketing and public relations.
Wintermeyer began his role at the Upper Columbia Conference with a literal trial by fire, as the conference office burned to ashes in December 2008. He was integral in maintaining internal and external communication connections through long months of temporary office housing and throughout construction of the new headquarters. During his decade of service with UCC, he has served as chief spokesperson and effectively managed a team of communication professionals. He has been responsible for television and radio media ministries, web development, public relations, print production and event planning for more than 135 churches and 25 schools in three states.
Beyond his basic roles, Wintermeyer has exhibited extraordinary abilities in the areas of crisis communication, major event planning and video production. For two decades he has also shared his personal passion for creative web and print design, visual branding and videography as a design studio owner and creative director. He has a loyal following online for his stellar examples of photography.
“I cannot imagine anyone more gifted to serve the communication needs of our Northwest conferences and members,” says Vistaunet. “I have known Jay and Jennifer for more than 20 years as friends and colleagues. I am excited they will be joining the NPUC family.”
Jay Wintermeyer will assume the role of NPUC communication director in October 2019.
