ADRA International Announces Acting President
Former General Conference Treasurer, Robert L. Rawson, has accepted the role of Acting President until a permanent successor to the post is found.
“Elder Rawson is a leader who is widely respected and accomplished with experience at various levels of administrative leadership. We have every confidence in him to lead ADRA during this time of transition and until a new president is appointed and is in place,” said Geoffrey Mbwana, Chair of the ADRA International Board of Directors.
The seven-member search committee – comprised of current ADRA International staff, ADRA network employees and Board members – is conducting an international search and will provide names of qualified candidates to the Board from which the next president will be selected.
“I recognize the importance of this assignment and am humbled by the task ahead. My main objective is to do my very best in building a foundation from which the new president can create and strengthen. ADRA has always been one of my favorite organizations and very close to my heart. I believe that through ADRA we are doing God’s work in the way that Jesus did when He was on Earth – heal the sick, feed the hungry, comfort the suffering,” said Elder Rawson.
An ordained minister, Elder Rawson, 75, was GC Treasurer from 1995 until his retirement in 2002. He served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in finance-related positions for over 40 years with posts in the North Pacific Union Conference, Southeastern California Conference, Iowa Conference, and Vice President for Finance for the Adventist Media Center in Newbury Park, California. Elder Rawson also comes with many years of combined international experience in the Philippines, Japan, and Singapore.
After attending Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) for three years, Elder Rawson transferred to, and subsequently graduated from, La Sierra University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
He and his wife, Carolyn, have three adult sons Rick, Terry and Tim, and six grandchildren.
Current residents of Surprise, Arizona, the Rawsons will be relocating to Maryland and Elder Rawson is expected to commence his duties beginning Monday, July 9.
