Elder Watkins is a native of Dayton, Ohio, and a product of Christian education and a God fearing mother. He is a graduate of Pine Forge Academy class of 74, Oakwood University, Mercer University of Atlanta, GA, Fulton Law Academy.

Elder Watkins has served as Pastor and Departmental Director for more than 42 years and is one of the longest serving and productive Departmental Directors in the North American Division.

In 1982 he was asked to serve as the Ministerial Secretary and Conference Evangelist where he baptized thousands and established several new churches throughout South Atlantic Conference.

In the last 40 years, he has baptized over 8,000 souls into the church and established over 19 new churches. He has conducted campaigns and training schools throughout the Caribbean, Africa, Europe and Cuba. In 2010 he lead out in the Good News Atlanta Campaign, where over 1,000 souls where baptized. He is affectionately called “Wild Fire” by many because of his many campaigns of setting churches and cities on fire.

Elder Watkins conducts seminars for Adventists and non-Adventists alike on the “Science of Soul Winning,” “Church Planting,” and “Church Organization and Management.”

In 1987, he was asked to serve as the Personal Ministries, Community Services, Inner City, Church Growth and Evangelism Director for the South Atlantic Conference. In 1990 he was elected as chairman of the North American Division Regional Personal Ministries Caucus. In 2010 he was elected as the Ministerial/Church Growth Director, and a member of the Administration Council, and in 2015 he was elected as President of the Southwest Region Conference, covering the states of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. He currently chairs a $380 million retirement program committee.

2021 he was elected as a vice president of North American Division of seventh day Adventist.

Elder Watkins is regarded in the denomination and out of the denomination as a lecturer in the fields of church growth and ministerial training. He is also the author of the following books, One Hundred and One Ways to Witness and Evangelism for the New Millennium.

He is a widely sought after preacher and lecturer. Elder Watkins is married to the former Ruth Laurie of Panama. They have three sons and two granddaughters. Their sons: Calvin L. Watkins, II (married), Sr pastor of the forest hill SDA church Ft Worth, TX in the Southwest Region Conference; Dr. Julian L. Watkins, M.D., New York-Presbyterian Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Columbia and Cornell School of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, New York; and Jared L. Watkins, Criminology Major in Atlanta, GA at Strayer University. They all are Graduate of Pine Forge Academy.

Grant came from a fascinating background. Born of Armenian parents, he was raised in Russia as

 an atheist. Following his compulsory service in the Soviet army, Grant was seriously ill due to the harsh climate in Siberia. He spent six years in and out of hospitals. At the end of six years of illness, doctors said that he had only one year to live.

 At that time a friend gave him a Bible. For the first time in his life, he had a Bible in his hands. As he read the Bible and looked at nature, he came to believe that there is a God. Acting upon the principles in the Word of God, his health began to improve. Grant's wife, Anne, was always searching for knowledge to improve his health and the life of the family. Through God's providence she bought a book titled, "Family and Health" in Russian (which was the combination of two books: "Ministry of Healing" and "Adventist Home" by E.G. White). They followed the health principles in this book and Grant's health was restored. They thought that the author of this book was a contemporary writer. It was only as they moved to the United States and met Russian Pastor, Michael Oleynick, who studied the Bible with them, that they came to understand the book had been written over 100 years ago.

As Grant discovered the beauty and harmony of the Word of God, the plan of redemption, and 

the uniqueness of the teachings of the SDA Church, the Holy Spirit led him and his family to baptism. He was baptized at the Loma Linda SDA Church in December, 1994.

In 2004, he attended a Victory in Jesus seminar presented by Pastor Bill Liversidge in Bakersfield, California. As the Gospel gripped his heart, he was filled with a desire to become a 

preacher and teacher of the Righteousness of Jesus. He developed a close friendship with Pastor Bill, and Bill mentored and trained Grant to share the Good News with great 

understanding and clarity. Moved by the Holy Spirit, he spent countless weekends traveling from church to church opening up the beauty of this Good News to souls in need. He was 

eventually elected Vice President of Creative Media Ministries and Director of Media Production. 

In 2014, as Grant was preaching in one of the churches in Oregon, he met the Adventist sister in the audience who sold the book by E. G. White to Anne twenty-five years prior in Russia. What 

a joy it was to meet this precious sister!Grant and his wife Anne are valued members of the CMM team. He not only serves CMM as President of the ministry, but speaks and leads weekends of revival across the country.

D.W. West is an international evangelist and dynamic speaker who transitioned from a successful career in the entertainment industry to answer his calling in ministry. Committed to serving Christ, he has devoted his life to pastoral leadership and evangelism, with a deep passion for reaching communities and supporting those in need.

Pastor West holds a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) in Ministry and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (DMin). After returning to the church, he began his ministry as a teacher at Parkersburg Academy before transitioning into pastoral leadership. His ministerial experience includes serving as a local church pastor for both the Mountain View Conference and the Ohio Conference, as well as working as an affiliate speaker for the Voice of Prophecy. 

Currently, he serves as a speaker and assistant to the president of Adventist World Radio (AWR), contributing significantly to global evangelistic initiatives.

Pastor West is married to Amber West, who serves as the administrative assistant to the AWR president. Together, they are committed to advancing the mission of sharing faith and hope worldwide.

Rick Bianco serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, a role he has held for nearly a decade. His path into Christian education began not in a classroom, but at a camp. It was his experience working at Laurel Lake Camp that planted the seeds of a calling, convincing him that education was not just a profession but a life's work worth giving everything to. He has never looked back.

Rick earned his Bachelor of Science

 in Elementary Education with a Math and Science emphasis from Southern Adventist University. He later completed his Master of Business Administration with a concentration

 in Management from West Chester University, and he is currently a doctoral candidate at Andrews University.

Before arriving in Ohio, Rick spent 14 years teaching at Huntingdon Valley Christian Academy, eventually serving four years as its principal. A one-year appointment as Associate Superintendent for the Pennsylvania Conference followed, and then came Ohio. His work centers on supporting administrators in their leadership, investing in the professional growth of teachers, and providing resources that give every student an exceptional spiritual and academic experience. Rick believes deeply that parents who choose Adventist education deserve to know their child is thriving in every dimension of life.

Rick is married to Jennifer Bianco,

 an educator at Spring Valley Academy with an extraordinary 33-year career of her own. Together, they are the proud parents of two daughters, Alyssa Bianco-Gaines and Gabrielle Bianco,

 a wonderful son-in-law, Joshua Gaines, and the blessed grandparents of Ayden and Rowan.   Outside the office, Rick is an unapologetic Pittsburgh sports fan,  every team, no exceptions. He also enjoys riding his motorcycle and, above all, spending time with the family that has shaped and inspired everything he does. Through it all, he thanks God for all His grace.

 M.Div. D.Min (abd), CEAL. BCC. CCISM

Upon receiving the Call to ministry, Bill earned a BA in Theology, minor in Biblical Languages, Master of Divinity degree and completed D. Min classes. Bill pastored for 9 years, leading churches throughout Upstate New York and Florida with congregations up to 11,000 members. Bill’s passion and empathy for people in crisis lead him to Board Certified Chaplaincy.

As a senior leader for Adventist Health, Bill led Mission for the Seminole Division, Medical Group and Hospice of the Comforter. At Integrated Health Services, Bill helped incorporate and migrated culture and business strategies of all outpatient ambulatory and post-acute serves lines for 275 outpatient locations, 11 different business, and 3 joint ventures for Advent Health.

In 2018, Bill served as the Network Director of Mission Kettering Health’s 13 medical centers, 2 CPE Centers. In 2021, Bill became the Executive Director of Kettering Health Senior Division’s 127 independent homes and 134 assisted living apartments, and the clinical, laundry, environmental, physical plant, and nutritional services of its seniors.

In 2024 Bill joined the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventist as Director of Property, Planned Giving and Trust Services where he serves 15,000 members, 113 Churches and 11 schools in Property and Legacy Planning.

Bill is married to his soulmate Christine, a CRNA, and is fiercely proud of his children Hannah (18) and Joshua (16) who are the joy and pride of his world. Bill enjoys CrossFit, cycling, hiking, guitar, reading, but mostly spending time with his family.

Bob Cundiff was born in Los Angeles, California, and relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, when he was six. Growing up in the South, he was raised in a household where his mother devoutly followed the Adventist faith while his father maintained his atheism. His conversion at 17 propelled him into a life of ministry, beginning with his undergraduate degree in Religion from Southern Adventist University. He further deepened his theological foundation with Master of Divinity and Doctoral degrees from Andrews University, equipping him with the knowledge and insight necessary for his diverse roles in the church.

From student missionary to international evangelist, youth pastor, young adult pastor, international evangelist, Executive Secretary, and eventually president of the Ohio Conference, Bob has served with a deep commitment to sharing the message of grace. His leadership is marked by a genuine love for Jesus and his family and a passion for guiding others in their spiritual journey.

His interests are wide and varied including motorcycling, travel, fishing, and all things outdoors.  He recently returned from trekking in Nepal where he circumnavigated the eighth-highest mountain in the world.   

With a background in Bible work and graphic design, Shane Hochstetler began serving as a district pastor in Mississippi in 2012. In 2017, he accepted the call to serve as the communication director for the Gulf States Conference in Montgomery, Alabama, and in 2021 transitioned to the North American Division (NAD) as associate director for the professional services department, which oversees the graphic design, social media, and marketing for NAD ministries. Hochstetler returned to pastoral ministry in Columbus, Ohio, in 2025, serving as the senior pastor at the Eastwood Church. Hochstetler's goal is to improve the representation of Christ and the reputation of Seventh-day Adventists through positive media and marketing. Along with his wife, Amy, and children, Henry, Jack, and Lucy, the Hochstetlers enjoy traveling, playing board games, and taking on new adventures.