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| "With God's help we can do the job together," Elder Robert Smith told employees of the Review and Herald after being elected president of the 150-year-old institution. |
Elder Robert S. Smith is a man of many talents. He's worked for the church for more than 40 years, and is back at the Review after working in the Periodical and Marketing departments from 1978 to 1985. A graduate of the Walt Disney's School of Creative and Critical Thinking, he uses storyboards to visualize a five year projection plan for the Review and Herald. He and his wife, Olivia, live in Takoma Park, Maryland, and have six adult children.
What do you feel should be the Review's foremost goal?
We want to make sure that we are mission driven. I'd like to make sure that's our primary objective. Not that we don't realize the financial side of things-we want to offer the best products at the best prices-but being mission driven helps the financial aspect. Our employees are our greatest assets.
What's been the biggest challenge you've faced since coming back to the Review?
Well, this may seem insignificant, but I think the cafeteria needs to be brought back. We could have a much more balanced diet with our own cafeteria. [Food service resumed at the Review on October 9, 2006] . . . It's also a challenge to give the people in the field the lowest prices on our products when our manufacturing cost is escalating. . . . We have to farm some jobs out to other facilities with the right equipment, which is getting costly.
How have you and/or the Review changed since you were here before?
I feel that I have gained quite a bit more experience in the field as publishing director for the North American Division. Now I can see both sides of the equation. Times have changed, as well, and we have to keep up with them and be much more competitive.
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