He is only 40 years old, but already he has worked closely with three U.S. presidents, traveled all over the country, and met many of the world's leaders. Yet, Stephen M. Studdert, executive director of president-elect George Bush's inauguration committee, has his priorities anchored solidly in the gospel and his family.
"I'll never forget an experience I had many years ago," he told the Church News. "It really helped me realize what and who are important."
It was 1973 and the young Studdert was a deacons quorum adviser. He had been asked to speak at a training session for regional representatives and was nervous to find several General Authorities in attendance.
"I was seated on the stand next to President Spencer W. Kimball, who was then president of the Council of the Twelve," he recalled. "Just before I was to speak, President Kimball turned to me and said, `Now, don't get nervous. They all put their pants on one leg at a time, just like you.'
"That taught me several things. First of all, it impressed me that this busy, important man was caring enough to notice that I was scared to death. And then the very kind and simple way he helped me relax was wonderful. And finally, it taught me the lesson that we are all equal in our Heavenly Father's eyes."
He seems to have learned the lesson well. Called to serve as stake president of the McLean Virginia Stake last May, he is a "people person," said stake Relief Society president Caroline Shipp. "He is the kind of person who walks in a room and is aware of everyone there. It doesn't matter who you are, he cares about you and you feel that immediately."
Modesty is one of Pres. Studdert's strong points and he is quick to credit what he called the real key to his success: Bonnie Beck Studdert, his wife. "She is a partner in every sense of the word and I couldn't do any of this without her," he said.
The couple met more than 20 years ago as freshmen, their first day at BYU. "We were married in the Manti Temple our junior year and she has been by my side ever since," Pres. Studdert said.
She has had to move and travel a great deal to remain by his side. After graduating from BYU with a degree in public administration, Pres. Studdert dabbled in a variety of things. He ended up as police chief in Brigham City, Utah. "We had accomplished some things there that drew some national attention and, as a result, in 1972, I found myself serving on President (Gerald) Ford's staff," he said.
When he joined President Ford's staff, he moved his family to the Washington, D.C., area.
Pres. Studdert was involved in doing advance work - planning trips and meetings - during the Ford administration, but the Studdert family was thrilled to head back home to Utah after President Ford lost his bid for re-election in 1976.
"We were very, very happy living in Bountiful," declared Pres. Studdert. "We loved every second of it. Our roots are in Utah."
But, in 1980, he assisted on the campaign of Ronald Reagan, and his family returned to the Washington, D.C., area. "Essentially, I traveled every mile with him," he said. "One thing led to another and I ended up serving on President Reagan's staff after he was elected."
Over the course of the eight-year Reagan administration, Pres. Studdert served in several capacities, most recently as a member of the Presidential Export Council. Close association with Vice President George Bush led to Pres. Studdert's assignment as senior campaign adviser during Bush's successful bid for the presidency.
Now, as executive director of Bush's inauguration committee, Pres. Studdert works 20 hours a day, overseeing 500 paid staff members and an army of volunteers that he said will eventually number between 30,000 and 35,000.
Long days for Pres. Studdert may not be over even after the inauguration, since President-elect Bush has talked to him about a White House post. "I don't have enough brain cells left to focus on anything else right now."
Pres. Studdert said before he took a leave from his consulting business to work for Bush, he worried about whether he could handle his new responsibilities and find time for his Church calling and family. He also didn't want working on the political campaign to create political overtones in his Church work.
"There were certain promises and blessings given when I was set apart as stake president. I've felt them come to fruition," he said. "The Lord has blessed me and my family in many ways. He has helped us to lengthen our stride and accomplish the tasks we have been given."
The time problems just naturally worked themselves out, he said. "Things worked out so that I missed just a few Sundays in all of the campaign. I also have two wonderful counselors who help tremendously."
As far as trouble with political overtones in his Church work, the stake president said he has been careful to avoid mixing politics and Church duties. "If someone asks how they should vote, I just won't tell them," he said.
Pres. Studdert also finds he has time for his top two priorities - the gospel and his family. He listens to cassette tapes of the scriptures as he drives to and from work and appointments, and he also always travels with a set of standard works, making a conscious effort to study the scriptures every day.
He also knows it's important to be with his wife, two daughters and four sons. "The only two times, other than regularly scheduled breaks, that I got off Air Force Two the aircraft assigned to the vice presidentT were the night that Stephanie the Studderts' 14-year-old daughterT was the homecoming princess at the high school and the weekend of the ward father and sons outing."
Those with whom Pres. Studdert works are well aware of his standards. "Everyone I'm associated with knows I'm a member of the Church and what that means," he said. "It's interesting because they have expectations of me. And, of course, I always try to live up to that expectation."
But Pres. Studdert feels strongly that being a Latter-day Saint is an honor and a privilege. "As I have traveled dozens of times to all 50 states and traveled to some 25 foreign countries on behalf of the President, I have seen the dilemmas and the difficulties that people have in their lives," he said. "My testimony has grown tremendously and I have become even more grateful for the gospel net and for the clear sense of purpose that the gospel gives each of us."