The process of selecting a new president for the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) began on Aug. 22. Of the 200 representatives designated by local congregations, 125 registered at conference headquarters to choose a nominating committee that represents the broad diversity of the conference.
The group chose Ralph Watts to chair the day’s meeting and Rohenna Armster to record the minutes. Watts, retired director of ADRA, is a member of the Loma Linda University Church; Armster, a teacher, is a member of the San Diego 31st Street Church. Lynn Mallery, SECC president, and Tom Mostert, Pacific Union Conference president, were on hand to answer questions.
The seven-hour session included open dialog, caucuses by county and ethnic groups, and many votes by voice, hand, and secret ballot. By 3 p.m. the group had agreed on 21 people and several alternates. The make-up of the final list had to wait until each individual was personally contacted and agreed to accept the assignment.
The 27-member nominating committee will serve for the coming four years and includes six persons representing specific groups. It met for the first time on Sept. 19. At the SECC constituency meeting on Nov. 7, it will recommend a slate of conference officers and a new executive committee. Approximately 1,000 delegates will vote to confirm or reject the recommendations.
Lynn Mallery, president of the Southeastern California Conference for the past 12 years, announced in February that he would retire at the conclusion of this term. Gerald Penick, executive secretary, and Tom Staples, treasurer, are eligible for re-election, as are the three vice-presidents—Rudy Bermudez, Asia/Pacific ministries; George King, black ministries; and Mario Perez, Hispanic ministries.
SECC Nominating Committee members, 2004-2008
Twenty-one individuals were selected on August 22 and are listed by county. Imperial County: Eldon Stratton (El Centro). Orange County: Janice Blair (Fullerton), Ana Mae Crowder (Laguna Niguel), Adita Hernandez (Santa Ana Broadway). Riverside County: Steve Blue (Palm Desert Oasis), Brunilda Quinonez (Perris Spanish), Donna Richards (Kansas Avenue), J’Leen Saeger (La Sierra University). San Bernardino County: Leroy Baker (San Bernardino 16th Street), Marisa Berg (Arden Hills), Fabian Carballo (Inland Spanish), Yaret Castro (Inland Spanish), Michael Chang (Loma Linda Chinese), Georgia Hodgkin (Loma Linda University), Penny Miller (Loma Linda University), Randy Roberts (Loma Linda University). San Diego County: Pablo Aguilar (Paradise Valley Spanish), Steven Henry (San Diego Clairemont), Reymond Mindoro (Bonita Valley), Demetrio Robles (San Diego Filipino), Belinda Williamson (San Diego 31st Street).
Six individuals were elected to represent groups within SECC. Lori Wilson (By-laws Committee), Charles McKinstry (Education Board), Elwin Dunn and Julihana Madison (Conference Executive Committee; both are retiring after two terms of service), Adeny Schmidt (Institutions), and John Brunt (Pastors).
