STORY
Ohio Conference Treasury Department Announces Leadership Changes
January 16, 2025
Francis Tuffour
The Ohio Conference Treasury Department has announced two major leadership transitions: Zachary Sharpe has moved from Assistant Treasurer to Associate Treasurer, and Karen Alvarez has been appointed Assistant Treasurer.
Zachary’s parents, who are Adventist church employees, served in various locations, allowing him to move with them several times during childhood. He was born in Newark, Ohio, while his father worked at Mount Vernon Academy. Throughout his education, Zachary attended Adventist schools—from kindergarten through his master’s degree.
Karen, the oldest of three children, was born in El Salvador to an Adventist family. She loves nature and spends much of the summer hiking. Karen also enjoys reading and listening to music. She joined the Ohio Conference in May 2023 as a Human Resources Assistant. Her primary responsibilities included managing the onboarding and offboarding processes, explaining benefits to new employees, and overseeing Open Enrollment. She assisted with employee retirement processes, service records, and working policy updates.
As the new Associate Treasurer, Zachary’s responsibilities include managing the conference’s Non-Operating and Trust funds. He will also oversee Endowment funds and participate in various committees to foster collaboration among staff as they further the Lord’s work. Zachary joined the Ohio Conference on November 1, 2018, as an Assistant Treasurer, where he primarily oversaw payroll and accounts receivable. Reflecting on his work, Zachary shared, “The most rewarding part about working with the Ohio Conference is hearing the stories about how God is working in Ohio and seeing the incredible things that He is doing.” His favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Karen expressed that the most rewarding part of working with the Ohio Conference is knowing she is working for God. “And helping employees with their benefits and retirement process,” she added. Her favorite Bible verses are Psalms 23 and 91. Beaming with hope, Karen said, “I will keep doing my best to do the work that God has called me to do.”
Echoing that hope, Zachary said, “I look forward to continuing to serve the Ohio Conference as we continue the work the Lord has given us in taking the message of Christ to the people of Ohio.”
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