Utah auto executive Robert H. Garff Wednesday was named chairman of the board of Deseret Book Co.
Garff replaces Elder M. Russell Ballard of The Council of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who has served as board chairman for the past two years and as a director for 15 years.Also stepping down from the board were directors Elaine L. Jack, Patricia T. Holland, Janette Hales Beckham, and Thomas T. Mabey.
Named as a new director was Carolyn J. Rasmus.
Garff is vice chairman and chief executive officer of Garff Enterprises, which operates a group of 17 auto franchises in seven dealerships in Utah.
In 1986, he received a Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award, and in 1995 was a Utah winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
He has served as a director of First Security Bank and Intermountain Health Care, as a member of the University of Utah board of trustees and as chairman of the IHC Foundation board.
Garff served in the Utah House of Representatives from 1978-86, where he was speaker of the house, majority leader and assistant majority leader.
He and his wife, Katharine, live in Bountiful. They have five children and five grandchildren.
Rasmus served as administrative assistant to the Young Women General Presidency of the LDS Church from 1984-85, and for five years prior to that as executive assistant to Brigham Young University presidents Dallin H. Oaks and Jeffrey R. Holland.
She received bachelor of science and master of education degrees from Bowling Green University and a doctorate degree from BYU. Since January 1995, she has worked as a full-time instructor at the Orem Institute of Utah Valley State College, Provo.
Rasmus has previously instructed at Iowa State University and on Long Island, New York. She has written a book titled "In the Strength of the Lord I Can Do All." She has lectured and traveled throughout the world pursuing professional and church obligations.