The First Presidency has announced the calling of seven new Missionary Training Center presidents. The new leaders and their wives will begin service about Jan 17. They are:
Adolfo Avalos Rico, 65; Mexico Missionary Training Center; Cholula Ward, Puebla Mexico Cholula Stake; former counselor in the Oaxaca Mexico Temple presidency, Area Authority Seventy, regional representative, president of the Guatemala Guatemala City South Mission and stake president. CES institute director. Born in Mexico City, Mexico, to Tomas Avalos Arellano and Maria de Jesus Rico de Anda. Married Josefina Lozano, four children.
A former assistant to the matron of the Oaxaca Mexico Temple, she served with her husband when he was a mission president in Guatemala. She is a former counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency and ward Relief Society and Young Women president. Born in Tula, Mexico, to Agricol Lozano Bravo and Josefina Herrera de Lozano.
Pedro Nel Cardona Zuluaga, 53; Colombia Missionary Training Center; Niquia Ward, Medellin Colombia Stake; counselor in stake presidency; former president of the Colombia Bogota North Mission, stake president, counselor in stake presidencies and branch president. Self-employed. Born in Yali, Colombia, to Pedro Nel Cardona Montoya and Maria Teresa Zuluaga de Cardona. Married Maria Rubiela Garcia, four children.
A stake Relief Society president, she served with her husband when he was a mission president in Colombia. She is a former stake Relief Society president and ward Young Women president. Born in La Merced, Colombia, to Juan de Dios Garcia Galvis and Maria Dolores Echeverry de Garcia.
Joseph Halvor Clegg, 67; Dominican Republic Missionary Training Center; Cherry Hill 2nd Ward, Orem Utah Cherry Hill Stake; high priests group leader; former president of the Italy Milan Mission, bishop, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Spanish American Mission. Chairman and professor in the Spanish and Portuguese department at BYU. Born in Provo, Utah, to Joseph Heber and Ruth Scorup Clegg. Married Miriam Webb, eight children.
A Relief Society teacher, she served with her husband when he was a mission president in Italy. She is a former ward Young Women president and Relief Society and Primary teacher. Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Ralph S and Mildred Whipple Webb.
Steven Dennis Kohlert, 65; Provo Missionary Training Center; Cottonwood 5th Ward, Salt Lake Cottonwood Stake; high priests group leader; former president of the Ohio Cleveland Mission, director of area public affairs council, stake president, gospel doctrine teacher and missionary in the Texas Mission. Retired as senior vice president of Intermountain Health Care. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to George Bross and Ruth Elizabeth Webb Kohlert. Married Nance Merrill, four children.
A Relief Society teacher, she served with her husband when he was a mission president in Ohio. She is a former Young Women general board member and stake and ward Relief Society president. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Charles S. and Marion Elaine Maier Merrill.
Jack Melvin Peck, 63; Philippines Missionary Training Center; South Jordan 2nd Ward, South Jordan Utah Stake; in-field missionary for the Church and missionary preparation teacher; former president of the Philippines Manila Mission, temple ordinance worker, counselor in a stake presidency and counselor in a bishopric. Retired from PacifiCorp. Born in Los Angeles, Calif., to Solomon Jackson and Beatrice Leona Robinson Peck. Married Bertha Charlene (Sherry) Pike, five children.
An in-field missionary for the Church and missionary preparation teacher, she served with her husband when he was a mission president in the Philippines. She is a former stake Young Women president and stake Young Women adviser. Born in Brigham City, Utah, to John Alexander and Zella Hurd Pike.
Garth John Wakefield, 67; Spain Missionary Training Center; Kenwood 2nd Ward, Salt Lake Wilford Stake; currently working with the Hispanic Initiative; former president of the Spain Bilbao Mission, stake Young Men president, high councilor, bishop, member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and missionary in the Northern Mexican Mission. Manager of Pre-field Services at the Missionary Department of the Church. Born in Huntington, Utah, to Perry Preston and Adeline Leonard Wakefield. Married Kay Lynn Blake, three children.
Currently working with the Hispanic Initiative, she served with her husband when he was a mission president in Spain. She is a former Primary general board member, ward organist, seminary teacher and member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Born in Ogden, Utah, to Forest O'dell and Irene Levanger Blake.
Richard Ivan Winwood, 61; England Missionary Training Center; South Cottonwood 7th Ward, Salt Lake South Cottonwood Stake; high priests group instructor; former president of the Canada Halifax Mission and the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission, stake mission president, high priests group leader and ward Young Men president. Chairman of Million Air. Born in Portland, Ore., to Robert Ivan and Edna Pauline Enz Winwood. Married Judith Annette Rigas, four children.
Sister Winwood served with her husband when he was a mission president in Canada and at Temple Square. She is a former ward Relief Society and Young Women president, Relief Society teacher and temple preparation teacher. Born in Portland, Ore., to Dimitrios Theodoros and Leoda Belle Grebe Rigas.